Ice Cool Kitty set the early pace while battling for the lead with Indian Vale through fractions of 24.44, 47.48, and 1:11.29, while Ginger Punch sat in midpack fifth. Around the turn, Ice Cool Kitty dropped out of contention allowing Indian Vale to gain the lead with 2 1/2 furlongs to go. Ginger Punch moved up to challenge for the lead but Unbridled Belle, who raced as far back as sixth early, came out wide into the stretch, found room between horses at the 3/16 pole, and closed with a rush to prevail by a head over Indian Vale in 1:48.63. It was a long 2 1/4 lengths back to favorite Ginger Punch who faded in the final furlong.
Results chart
2007 Jockey Club Gold Cup and Beldame Stakes
By Cindy Pierson Dulay, About.com
Unbridled Belle wins the 2007 Beldame
Unbridled Belle wins the 2007 Beldame Stakes at Belmont Park
© Cindy Pierson Dulay
The $600,000 Beldame Stakes (G1) featured a field of 7 older fillies and mares going 1 1/8 miles around one turn of the main track, looking for a spot in the Emirates Airline Breeders' Cup Distaff at Monmouth Park. Ginger Punch was sent off as the 11-10 favorite off three straight wins in the First Flight, Go For Wand, and Ruffian. In to challenge her were 5-1 second choice and Personal Ensign Stakes winner Miss Shop, coming off a close second in the Ruffian, and 6-1 Unbridled Belle, winner of the Delaware Handicap but a distant second in the Personal Ensign last out.
Prev
- Curlin wins the 2007 Jockey Club Gold Cup
- Curlin walks down Victory Lane
- Curlin in winner's circle
- Second place finisher Lawyer Ron
- Third place finisher Political Force
- Unbridled Belle wins the 2007 Beldame
- Unbridled Belle walks down Victory Lane
- Unbridled Belle in the winner's circle
- Second place finisher Indian Vale
- Third place finisher Ginger Punch
Elsewhere on the Web
Belmont ParkBreeders' Cup official siteMore photos from the Jockey Club Gold Cup
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