Sep 16, 2011
Beldame next for Havre de Grace
By: SPORTS NETWORK
Stanton, DE (Sports Network) - Woodward Stakes winner Havre de Grace has been confirmed for next month's Beldame Stakes at Belmont Park. Owner Rick Porter posted the decision this morning on his farm's website.
"Larry (trainer Larry Jones) and I have decided that Havre de Grace will definitely go to the Beldame and not The Spinster," Porter acknowledged on Rockportharbor.com. "The race is October 1st at Belmont. She has come out of the race (Woodward) in great form and is just full of herself. She is anxious to get to the track."
The Beldame is a 1 1/8-mile race for fillies and mares on Saturday, October 1. The Spinster, at Keeneland, is set for Sunday, October 9 at the same distance on a synthetic track. The Beldame comes five weeks before the Breeders' Cup at Churchill Downs on November 4 and 5.
Havre de Grace became just the second female to win last Saturday's $750,000 Woodward at Saratoga Race Course. Two years ago, leading filly Rachel Alexandra posted a victory in the Woodward, which proved to be her final start of 2009.
Porter's four-year-old has won four of five starts this year for more than $1.1 million and is nearing the $2 million mark in career winnings.
Also under consideration for the Beldame is champion filly Blind Luck, Havre de Grace's main rival. The two fillies have faced each other six times with Blind Luck winning three races and Havre de Grace two. Their last meeting came in the Delaware Handicap on July 16 when Blind Luck caught Havre de Grace at the wire to win by a nose.
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