11-1 Take D'Tour battled with 10-1 Teammate down the long backstretch through quick fractions of 23.92, 46.39, and 1:10.36 while Round Pond and Fleet Indian sat behind them in stalking position. Jockey Jose Santos asked Fleet Indian for run at the top of the stretch, as the favorite took a 2-length lead with a furlong to go. Balletto closed with every stride after racing fifth early, but Fleet Indian dug in and shook off the challenge in the final strides to prevail by a head in 1:48.69. It was a long 7 lengths back to Round Pond in third.
Results chart from DRF
2006 Jockey Club Gold Cup Day at Belmont Park
By Cindy Pierson Dulay, About.com Guide
Fleet Indian holds off Balletto in the 2006 Beldame
Fleet Indian holds off Balletto in the 2006 Beldame at Belmont Park
© Cindy Pierson Dulay
The $600,000 Beldame Stakes (G1), a 1 1/8 mile trip on the main track, is Belmont Park's prep race for the Breeders' Cup Distaff. In the field of six older fillies and mares, 4-5 favorite Fleet Indian came into the race off a seven-race winning streak including the Personal Ensign in her last start. In to challenge were Personal Ensign runner-up Balletto at 3-1 and Azeri Breeders' Cup winner Round Pond at 4-1.
Prev
- Bernardini wins by over 6 lengths in the 2006 Jockey Club Gold Cup
- Bernardini makes his walk down Victory Lane
- Fleet Indian holds off Balletto in the 2006 Beldame
- Fleet Indian in the winner's circle
- Henny Hughes wins the 2006 Vosburgh
- Henny Hughes returns after the race
- English Channel wins the 2006 Joe Hirsch Turf Classic
- English Channel in the winner's circle
- Honey Ryder wins the 2006 Flower Bowl Invitational
- Honey Ryder takes her walk down Victory Lane
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Belmont ParkBreeders' Cup official siteMore photos from the Jockey Club Gold Cup
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