NEW YORK (AP) — Favored Gitchee Goomie and Compliance Officer rallied Sunday to win the $125,000 stakes for New York breds on the turf at Belmont Park.
Gitchee Goomie successfully defended her title in the Mount Vernon for fillies and mares, beating Hessonite by a half-length with Alan Garcia aboard for trainer Rick Violette. The 5-year-old ran a mile in 1:38.64 for her sixth victory in 18 starts. She paid $4.50 to win as the 6-5 favorite.
Compliance Officer kicked off his season in winning form, beating Lubash by three-quarters of a length as the even-money choice in the Kingston. Javier Castellano rode for trainer Bruce Brown as last year’s state-bred turf champion improved to 11 for 25. The 6-year-old stopped the clock in 1:37.11 for the same distance, paying $4.30 to win.
