Ground Support much the best in first division of G3 Glen Cove
NBS Stable’s Ground Support earned her second career graded score with a dominant victory in the first division of Sunday’s Grade 3, $200,000 Glen Cove, a seven-furlong Widener turf sprint for sophomore fillies, at Belmont Park.
Trained by Kelsey Danner, Ground Support graduated on debut at odds of 100-1 last August at Kentucky Downs ahead of a win in the 1 1/16-mile Grade 2 Miss Grillo last October at Belmont at the Big A. She capped her season with a 1 1/4-length third in the Grade 1 Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Fillies Turf at Del Mar.
The Army Mule dark bay returned this year with a pair of fifths at one-mile, including the Listed Tepin in June at Churchill Downs and the Grade 2 San Clemente Handicap in July at Del Mar. She cut back in distance last out to run a half-length third in the 6 1/2-furlong Grade 2 Music City at Kentucky Downs, and proved the sprinting success was no fluke on Sunday with an impressive score under regular rider Adam Beschizza.
“I thought her last race was fantastic, she had some traffic issues. I think she likes the middle-ground distance and apparently likes New York as well,” Danner said. “I don’t think she liked the soft turf at Churchill when we started her off. At Del Mar, she mentally had a breakdown in the paddock and had a rough trip, so I could throw those two races out.”
Ground Support exited post 3 sharply and tracked the pacesetting Paris Carver from third position to the inside of Spirit Doll through the opening quarter-mile in 22.01 seconds over the firm turf.
“I thought there would be a lot more speed. I found myself a little close,” Beschizza said. “Even though she got a little worked up in the gate, she’s got the ability to overcome being highly strung.”
Paris Carver led by one length into the turn, followed by Spirit Doll, the pair of Ground Support and New Rose, with Brandy and Me and Snappy Comeback in behind through the half-mile in 44.41.
Beschizza tipped Ground Support out when straightening for home and quickly stormed past Paris Carver before angling back down to the rail. As three-quarters went in 1:08.10, Ground Support held a 3 1/2-length advantage and was never threatened as she crossed the wire 3 3/4 lengths clear in a final time of 1:20.22.
“She definitely had the class above these today. The seven furlongs hit her on the head. She does stay a mile well, but she also has speed,” Beschizza said. “She’s a big-striding filly, once she gets into her rhythm, she’s hard to stop.”
Danner said Ground Support will likely target the one-mile Grade 3, $200,000 Pebbles on November 21 here.
“She stays a mile no problem,” added Beschizza, who has been aboard for all seven of the filly’s career starts. “After the 6 1/2 [furlongs] at Kentucky Downs, it was a no brainer to go the extra half-furlong here. She just needs speed in the race. She’s either going to be the speed or she needs something to run at.”
The Samuel Marin-piloted Snappy Comeback emerged as best of the rest, edging New Rose by three-quarter-lengths for second. New Rose kept her head in front of Emblaze for show honors with Peppermint Twist, Brandy and Me, Paris Carver and Spirit Doll rounding out the order of finish. Light Won Up and Beach Heist were scratched.
Marin said the Jose D’Angelo-trained Snappy Comeback performed admirably to earn her first graded placing in her third attempt.
“I wanted to be right behind the leaders, a little bit closer. It took her a little bit to get going, but once she did, she exploded for me,” Marin said. “I knew I wasn’t going to beat the winner down the lane, but she fought to get second.”
Ground Support, an $80,000 Fasig-Tipton Midlantic 2-Year-Olds in Training Sale purchase, is out of the Grade 3-placed Arch mare Arch Support and her second dam is stakes-winner Two Ninety Jones. She banked $110,000 in victory while improving her record to 7-3-0-2 and returning $6.32 for a $2 win bet as the 2-1 favorite.
Live racing resumes Wednesday with an eight-race card at Belmont Park. First post is 1:10 p.m. Eastern.
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