Bayou's Lassie was allowed an uncontested lead of as many as 2 lengths while setting a pace of 23.52, 46.55, and 1:09.68 over the firm going, while Sharp Susan stalked her in second. Entering the stretch, Ventura, who sat in midpack fourth down the backstretch, moved up along the hedge to challenge for the lead as the pacesetters tired. Ventura took over the lead with a furlong remaining, and was all out to hold off the late closing favorite Lady of Venice in the final strides to prevail by 3/4 length in 1:32.75. It was another 3/4 length back to longshot Forever Together third.
Results chart
2008 Belmont Stakes Undercard Part 1
By Cindy Pierson Dulay, About.com Guide
Ventura wins the 2008 Just a Game Stakes
Ventura wins the 2008 Just a Game Stakes at Belmont Park
© Cindy Pierson Dulay
The $400,000 Just A Game Stakes (G1) featured a field of 10 older fillies and mares going 1 mile on the Widener turf course. Lady of Venice, second in the Jenny Wiley at Keeneland in April last time out, was sent off as the 2-1 favorite over 5-2 Vacare, unraced since winning the First Lady at Keeneland in October. 5-1 Criminologist, winner of the Beaugay at Aqueduct, rounded out the top three on the toteboard.
Prev
- Dancing Forever wins the 2008 Manhattan Handicap
- Dancing Forever walks down Victory Lane
- Dancing Forever in the winner's circle
- Second place finisher Out of Control
- Third place finisher Pays to Dream
- Ventura wins the 2008 Just a Game Stakes
- Ventura walks down Victory Lane
- Ventura circles after the race
- Second place finisher Lady of Venice
- Third place finisher Forever Together
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Belmont official siteOfficial charts from EquibaseMore Belmont undercard photos
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