Eze closed from last and outdueled Colstar and Jazz in the stretch to win the Grade 3 Pebbles Handicap yesterday at Belmont over a turf course made soft by Sunday’s all-day rain. Ridden by Robbie Davis, Eze was a half length in front of Colstar with Jazz a nose behind in third.
It was Eze’s first stakes victory. The Bill Turner-trained filly paid $7.20 and ran the nine furlongs over the inner turf in 1:52 4/5.
Shenck, the favorite, was a disappointing fifth. Trainer Billy Mott had nothing to say about the performance while jockey Jerry Bailey said, “Just one word says it all: ‘Overmatched.'”
1ST RACE – Track was rated muddy and early speed looked to be just as good as it was sunday after Sugarkey was sent to front and drew off to 8-length victory against state-bred maidens. Prideful made wide move to reach contention and finished non-threatening second.
2ND RACE – Speed handicappers got burnt as Indoor Games set pace and had lead turning for home, but Tuneitout, making 23rd career start, made six wide move and wore down Indoor Games late for victory. Favored Revere chased pace but tired in the stretch.
4TH RACE – Track condition was upgraded to good and race was won as soon as gates opened. Outamyway Sir, making first start since June, was expected to battle with Sovereign M. D. for early lead, but Outamyway Sir broke sharply and ducked in slightly, forcing Sovereign M. D. to check and fall back. On turn, Sovereign M. D. started to tire while Outamyway Sir drew away from field. Devil’s Ransom made late bid, closing well on rail in stretch but could not reach tiring Outamyway Sir in time. Sovereign M. D. was claimed by Robert Klesaris for $20,000.
5TH RACE – Bebop Blues and Come On An Dance battled for early lead while Gallopin Galatea was moving twowards leaders while saving ground. On turn, Bebop Blues was far from rail, floating out Come On An Dance. Galloping Galatea had huge hole inside, took lead in stretch and drew off for victory.
6TH RACE – Polish Miner opened at 1-9 and went off at 1-5. There was $234,878 bet to show on Polish Miner in pool of $242,989. But Parade Leader, full brother to graded stakes winner Parade Ground, who was making first start on dirt, came off pace and defeated Polish Miner easily in impressive time of 1:42.
8TH RACE – Doneraile Court, making first start since winning Grade 2 Jerome on Woodward Stakes day, rated farther off pace than normal. He closed on rail and edged away from early pacesetter Dice Dancer to win off-turf allowance race by two lengths. Final time was 1:33 4/5. He looks to be the main contender for Sir Bear in the Cigar Mile at Aqueduct next month.
10TH RACE – Doomsday Defense (7-1) battled for early lead and drew away from early pacesetter Cellular Joe entering stretch. But 44-1 Jokers Frangrance saved ground and closed strongly in stretch. He angled outside and hit wire with Doomsday Defense to create dead heat. PICK SIXWinning numbers: 3-4-1-1-1-715 winners each receives $3,155353 consolation winners (5 of 6)each receives $44.60No carryover