Maple Forest and Roman Treasure to continue their rivalry in the Positive Gal Stakes at Belmont Park
The two 3-year-old speedy fillies Maple Forest and Roman Treasure are going to lock horns again in the $60,000 Positive Gal Stakes, at about 6 furlongs over the Belmont Park’s dirt surface on 27 August.
Previously the two fillies met in the Grade 3 Victory Ride at Saratoga over a distance of 6 furlongs, where Maple Forest and Roman Treasure kept the winner Hot Summer honest with their blistering pace, but couldn’t out finish her, as Maple Forest and Roman
Treasure finished top second and third respectively.
This time around, in the Victory Ride Stakes, the two fillies will renew the rivalry, as Maple Forest will break from the rail and Roman Treasure from the outside.
The Todd Pletcher trained Maple Forest despite breaking from the rail will try to use her speed again, while without a doubt she will be pursued by Roman Treasure, who has the speed to keep Maple Forest honest.
The $60,000 overnight stakes race is the highlight of Belmont Park’s 23 September race card, but possible showers which started on 21 September will likely continue till the race day and the Positive Gal for 3-year-old fillies could be run over a wet main
track.
Malibu Moonlit is another filly who could upset both Roman Treasure and Maple Forest, the filly has show a lot of versatility in running first or second in her 12 career starts.
Maple Forest was up against Malibu Moonlit in the Dearly Precious Stakes at Monmouth Park on 10 August, 2011, as Malibu Moonlit came off the pace and finished a good second behind the winner Maple Forest.
Malibu Moonlit’s last two victories though at Charles Town have come on the front end, but her run in the Dearly Precious was a good one when she came off the pace.
Michael Trombetta trained Malibu Moonlit will adopt the same approach she did at Monmouth Park, and as the trainer confirmed that she will stalk in the early stages of the race.
At Charles Town, the filly has done exceptionally well and she is not a bad runner anywhere else as well, but she has to bring her A game to down Roman Treasure and Maple Forest.
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