Include Betty goes from last to first in claiming Mother Goose Stakes

By: SPORTS NETWORK

Elmont, NY (SportsNetwork.com) - Include Betty, ridden by Drayden Van Dyke, trailed early but swept to victory in Saturday's $300,000 Mother Goose Stakes at Belmont Park.

Trained by Tom Proctor for Brereton Jones and Timothy Thornton, Include Betty was last in the 10-horse field of 3-year-old fillies up the backstretch in the 1 1/16-mile stakes.

Include Betty, who left from post 2, slowly gained ground approaching the far turn as Hot City Girl set the pace. Running second was Embellish the Lace who went off as the 7-2 co-favorite along with Eskenformoney and Wonder Gal.

As the field hit the top of the stretch, Include Betty ranged into contention and surged through the stretch. The 5-1 fourth pick took the lead inside the furlong pole and drove to a 3 1/4-length win over Wonder Gal.

"It was a perfect trip," said Van Dyke. "I knew they were going fast up front and I knew this long stretch should really help her out, she makes that nice last run and I knew it'd work out just perfect for her. I just had to make sure that I kept pulling my googles down so I could see where I was going. I don't think she'll have any problems stretching out further. Me and Tom (Proctor) were saying she's a filly that really doesn't like to be hit a whole lot, so it's more just getting along with her and keeping her happy."

Chide was third followed by Pleasant Tales, Hot City Girl, Eskenformoney, Danessa Deluxe, Money'soncharlotte, Embellish the Lace and Munasara.

The time for the Mother Goose was 1:44.68 on a sloppy track.

Include Betty posted her third stakes win of the year and pocketed $180,000. The filly has earned $543,030 with four wins in 10 career starts.

Include Betty was second behind Keen Pauline in the Black-Eyed Susan Stakes at Pimlico on May 15. Earlier this year, the 3-year-old won the Suncoast Stakes at Tampa Bay Downs followed by a fifth in the Florida Oaks and a win in the Fantasy Stakes. She then finished eighth in the Kentucky Oaks on May 1.

Include Betty returned $12.80, $5.20 and $3.60. Wonder Gal paid $4.10 and $3.20, and Chide paid $5.30 to show.