Her Smile returns to Belmont for a run in the Marta Stakes
The 4-year-old filly, Her Smile, until last year was trained by Todd Pletcher for owner Bobby Flay, and had won the Grade 1 Prioress Stakes at Belmont Park going six furlongs, where she defeated the likes of Pomeroys Pistol in second and Alienation in third.
Now, with a change in ownership,the filly will run under the banner of Stronach Stables under the training of Chad C. Brown, Her Smile is returning at Belmont Park for a run in the $85,000 Marta Stakes over a distance of six and a half furlongs on 9 May, 2012.
Purchased by Frank Stronach for a million dollars at the Fasig-Tipton auction ring in November last year, Chad Brown hopes that her return to Belmont Park will also be her long awaited return to the winners’ circle when she heads a field of five 3-year-old and above fillies and mares.
“She’s got the Grade 1 win over Belmont’s track. Track really shouldn’t be an excuse for her,” Brown said. “So, hopefully it’s a spot to get her confidence up and hopefully she can get the job done.”
Over the winter, Her Smile was active in the Gulfstream Park meet where he made two starts. Bred in Virginia by William M. Backer, Her Smile kicked off proceedings under new ownership in the Grade 3 Hurricane Bertie Stakes.
At about six and a half furlongs on 19 February, 2012, Her Smile coupled with rider Javier Castellano finished third to winner R Holiday Mood, who covered the distance in 1 minute and 15.85 seconds.
The daughter of Include made her second start of the new season in the Grade 2 Inside Information Stakes, which ran over a distance of seven furlongs.
It was a star studded field, and the top three finishers of the race prove that. Musical Romance won the race over Hot Summer and Groupie Doll, who finished second and third respectively, while Her Smile after a troubled trip finished sixth.
“Sooner or later she needs to get it together and put a ‘W’ up there on the board,” Brown said.
Javier Castellano will take the mount on Her Smile once again, as the pair will break from post number 5 in the Marta Stakes.
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