Fillies thrive in pastures new

BELMONT PARK

TWO former European-trained fillies took the two graded races on the Belmont card last Saturday.

The Grade 3 Noble Damsel Stakes over a turf mile went to former Royal Ascot winner Annecdote who ran out an easy winner from Byrama. Christophe Clement now trains the four-year-old.

In the Sands Point Stakes, a Grade 2 over nine furlong, Ball Dancing, who had good form with the top fillies in France this year, swooepd late between horses to pip Xcellence by half a length. The secoon is also a former French-trained filly and both are now in the care of Chad Brown.

Ball Dancing had met Martin Schwartz’s French-bred Xcellence in her final start in France in June 15th when she finished fifth in the Prix de Diane Longines (French Oaks) at Chantilly, with Xcellence third behind the victorious Avenir Certain.

Joe Bravo rode Ball Dancing, racing on Lasix for the first time on her US debut, to victory for owners W.S. Farish and Steve Mooney. Both fillies could be lively outsiders for the Breeders’ Cup Filly and Mare Turf.