Bluewater Sales grad Fashion Alert, the only first-time starter in a field of six 2-year-old fillies, zipped to a 4 3/4-length victory to take the $100,000 Astoria S. Saturday at Belmont Park.
Trained by Todd Pletcher for George Bolton and Barry Hall, Fashion Alert broke a bit awkwardly but got into stride soon after, and was in a three-way duel down the backstretch and into the turn. She shook off a fairly persistent Lindy outside the quarter pole, with John Velazquez keeping her on task as she neared the wire.
The final time of 1:04.01 for the 5 1/2-furlongs netted her a stellar Beyer Speed Figure of 87 as well as being christened the newest “TDN Rising Star”.
"She broke to the inside and after three jumps she got into a nice rhythm and sat out in the middle of the track for a while," said Velazquez. "It was pretty easy. I sat on the outside and rushed her a little bit just to make sure those horses didn't get away, but she was going so easy I just let her do it."
She's a very talented filly that ran to her training. I think timing-wise, this sets her up very well for the Schuylerville (S., Grade 3, July 18 at Saratoga)," Pletcher added.
Fashion Alert is by Old Fashioned out of Titan Queen, whose siblings include Grade 2 Play the King S. winner Big Band Sound and listed winner Silver Prospector. Titan Queen's first foal, Renee's Titan, won the 2013 Santa Ynez S. (G2). Bolton purchased Fashion Alert for $125,000 at the 2013 Keeneland September Yearling sale from the Bluewater consignment.
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