Drakenstein’s former Cape-based dual Gr1 winner Beach Bomb ran a gallant race on Friday at Saratoga when she chased home Lael Stables’ star and North America’s leading grass filly She Feels Pretty in the $750 000 Gr1 New York Stakes.
She Feels Pretty was registering her fourth career Gr1 victory race for trainer Cherie DeVaux and gave e Hall of Fame jockey John Velazquez his fourth triumph on day three of the Belmont Stakes Racing Festival.
Beach Bomb seen in work before the 2024 Breeders Cup (Pic – Candiese Lenferna)
In testing conditions after heavy rain soaked the Saratoga turf course throughout Friday afternoon and the deep, testing ground made the 1900m contest a test of stamina. She’s Feel Pretty clocked 2:00.76 – more than nine seconds slower than the course record.
She Feels Pretty cruised up to Beach Bomb without being asked for much, took the lead at the 400m and seemed poised for an easy victory.
But Lancaster Bomber’s SA-bred daughter was having none of that. Beach Bomb belatedly switched leads and battled back, refusing to give ground but in the end gaining none after She Feels Pretty passed her.
Trainer Graham Motion praised Beach Bomb’s gameness and former Capetonian finished four lengths ahead of third-place Belleza, with Forever After All fourth, Miwa was fifth, Edict sixth, and Gimme A Nother – a second SA-bred Motion-trained horse, struggled badly with the going and finished last of seven.
Beach Bomb only had her first start stateside in August last year and has already won two Gr3 races.
Bred by Drakenstein, Beach Bomb is by deceased War Front stallion Lancaster Bomber out of Dynasty’s champion daughter, Beach Beauty.
