2008 Gallant Bloom Handicap

By Cindy Pierson Dulay, About.com Guide

Kicking off the stakes action on Saturday, a field of six 3-year-old fillies contested the $75,000 Missile Belle Stakes at 7 furlongs on the main track. Informed Decision, third in the Victory Ride last out, was the 7-5 favorite over 2-1 Tar Heel Mom, coming into the race off 2 straight wins and making her stakes debut. 25-1 longest shot Overandabeauty battled on the front end with 9-2 third choice Spritely through a quarter in 22.62 and a half in 45.41 over the fast track. Turning for home, Overandabeauty tired and faded to last, as Tar Heel Mom, who stalked the pacesetters in third, moved up to take the lead at the 3/16 pole, getting 3/4 in 1:10.40. Informed Decision, fourth and out wide the whole way, closed with a rush late to run right by Tar Heel Mom inside the 1/8 pole to win going away by 1 3/4 lengths in 1:23.89. It was just a head back to Spritely third.

Results chart

Informed Decision, a grey daughter of Monarchos trained by Jonathan Sheppard, improved her record to 4 wins, 0 seconds, and 1 third in 6 starts, earning $150,587 for owner Augustin Stables.

Previous

• Indian Blessing wins the 2008 Gallant Bloom Handicap
• Indian Blessing in the winner's circle
• Indian Blessing enters the paddock
• Indian Blessing in the post parade
• Second place finisher Elope
• Third place finisher Porte Bonheur
• Informed Decision wins the 2008 Missile Belle Stakes

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