NEW YORK (AP) — Strategic Missile led all the way Thursday for a 39-1 payoff in the $59,000 allowance feature for New York-bred fillies and mares on the turf at Belmont Park.
Apprentice rider Wilmer Garcia hustled the 5-year-old right to the front and they held a clear lead until the deep stretch when Myrtle’s Gray rallied to cut the final margin to three-quarters of a length.
Trained by Kathleen Feron, Strategic Missile raced to her third victory in 16 starts, running seven furlongs on the firm course in 1:22.61. Strategic Missile paid $80.40, $25.20 and $10.60.
Myrtle’s Gray returned $10.20 and $5.50, and Downtown Hottie paid $3.10 to show.
