Front running Elusive Pearl takes the Pebbles Stakes at Belmont Park on 10 October
Elusive Pearl made the 1 mile distance her own when she landed the 19th running of the $100,000 Pebbles Stakes at Belmont Park on 10 October, 2011, on grass against 9 other fillies.
The Michael Trombetta trained 3-year-old filly, Elusive Pearl came off a win in the Riskaverse Stakes over the Saratoga’s grass course and won the 1 mile race on her grass debut on 2 September, 2011 as she downed Ruthenia and Divalarious with the winning time of 1 minute and 36.55 seconds.
Prior to the Riskaverse Stakes, Elusive Pearl was a no go over the Woodbine’s synthetic surface in the Duchess Stakes on 30 July, where she rolled in third, but ever since coming to U.S and switching to grass, Elusive Pearl is yet to lose a race.
Jockey Ramon Dominguez, who was aboard the filly in the Riskaverse Stakes, was riding Elusive Pearl again in the Pebbles Stakes, as the daughter of Medaglia d’Oro broke alertly from the gate and quickly assumed the leader’s position.
Elusive Pearl was in command in the start of the one mile long turf race, and she set brisk fractions throughout, covering 24.88 seconds in the opening quarter mile, 50.44 seconds for the half mile marker and touching the six furlong mark in 1 minute and 13.64 seconds.
Between the half mile marker to the six furlong pole, Divalarious threatened to come from behind but it prompted Elusive Pearl to shake off the threat by putting in extra strides.
Out of Brazen Bride by Miswaki, Elusive Pearl commanded the pace in fine style, and she seemed to have taken the grass under her feet very well and it was a pleasure to see her control the pace the way she did.
Elusive Pearl shook well after six furlongs and went clear of the lot, covering the one mile distance in 1 minute and 36.61 seconds.
Hessonite put in a good late run when she spurted past rivals on the outside to meet Elusive Pearl, but couldn’t time the run right to take over the lead as she was defeated by 2 ¼ lengths.
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