Jen Pottheiser Photo

Clement looking for trifecta in Zagora

by Brian Bohl

Looking to finish the Belmont Park Fall meet on a strong note, conditioner Christophe Clement entered a trio of talented runners to headline the $125,000 Zagora for fillies and mares three years old and upward on Closing Day Sunday.

Leading his contingent is 5-year-old Homeland Security for Moyglare Stud Farm. The 5-year-old Smart Strike mare has made four starts this season with her last three at the Zagora's 1 ½ mile distance. Following a fourth-place finish in the River Memories on July 5 at Belmont where she was bumped at the start, she returned to win the Unbridled Essence on August 24 at Monmouth Park.

Sky Full of Stars, a 5-year-old German-bred for Phoenix Thoroughbreds, made her first 15 career starts in Europe highlighted by a Group 2 Victory in the T. von Zastrow Stutenpreis at Baden Baden Racecourse in October of 2018 before being transferred to Clement.

Making her North American debut in the River Memories in July at Belmont, she traveled wide on both turns before finishing fifth. Making her most recent start in the Grade 3 Waya on August 4 at Saratoga she was jostled early and weakened to run fifth.

Rounding out the Clement trio is New York-bred Wegetsdamunnys. The 4-year-old daughter of D'Funnybone has one win from five starts this year, taking a second level optional claiming event on July 11 at Saratoga Race Course. In two subsequent starts since that race she ran fourth in the Yaddo on August 23 at the Spa and followed up with a third-place finish in the John Hettinger on September 22 at Belmont.

With three runners each looking to move forward in the Zagora, Christophe Lorieul, assistant to Clement, said each is primed for a good outing.

"They each are doing okay at the moment," said Lorieul. "It's the end of the year and with the three of them we are trying to see if we can get some black type. The weather looks to be in each of their favor, with some rain possible in the forecast. Homeland Security is entering off a nice win this summer. Wegetsdamunnys is facing open company, but the distance and possible give in the ground could benefit her. With Sky Full of Stars, we would like to see what the added distance will do for her."

With Manny Franco aboard, Homeland Security will leave from post 2. Sky Full of Stars, drawing post 4, will be ridden by Kendrick Carmouche. Wegetsdamunnys will leave from post 7 with Joel Rosario in the irons.

Trainer Graham Motion entered Mercilla for owners Rebecca Hillen and Madaket Stables.

Purchased for $135,000 as a yearling in 2017 at the Keeneland September Sale, the Arch filly made her debut in France where she won an allowance at Lyon-Parilly before being transferred to Motion. She captured an allowance event in May at Pimlico Race Course in her North American debut and followed up with a fifth-place finish in the off-the-turf Christiana in June at Delaware Park. She finished second last out in the Virginia Oaks on August 31 at Colonial Downs and Motion said he is looking for her to move forward again.

"We chose this race for the distance," said Motion. "It's a step up to run against older horses, but we think she'll appreciate the mile and a half. She ran a very good race last time and I was very happy with her. I don't think she minds softer ground. It's just a matter of what we end up with."

Drawing post 10, Mercilla will be ridden by Jose Ortiz.

Belmont Fall meet leading trainer Chad Brown entered Fools Gold for Wise Racing. The 4-year-old Medaglia d'Oro mare has made six starts this campaign with two victories including a win in the Grade 3 Waya on August 4 at Saratoga. In her most recent start, she weakened in the stretch to finish fifth in the Grade 2 Glens Falls.

Drawing post 6, Fools Gold will be ridden by Hall of Famer Javier Castellano.

Also entered is Not In Jeopardy (Eric Cancel, post 1); Pamina (Junior Alvarado, post 3); Lady Montdore (Joe Bravo, post 5); Lemon Zip (Tyler Conner; post 8); War Cabinet (John Velazquez, post 9); Beau Belle (Jose Lezcano, post 11); and Violet Blue (Dylan Davis, post 12). Another Broad is entered for the main-track only.

The Zagora is slated as Race 8 on Sunday's 9-race card, which also features the Chelsey Flower in Race 4 and the Pumpkin Pie in Race 7. First post is 12:20 p.m. Eastern.