New Money Honey wires G3 Wonder Again field to kick off Belmont Stakes Racing Festival

by Brian Bohl

Even-money favorite New Money Honey showed a new dimension wiring the field in the fourth running of the Grade 3, $200,000 Wonder Again for 3-year-old fillies on the first day of the Belmont Stakes Racing Festival presented by NYRA Bets Thursday at Belmont Park.

The Wonder Again was the first of 18 total stakes totaling more than $9 million for the three-day festival from June 8-10, culminating with the 149th running of the Grade 1, $1.5 million Belmont Stakes on Saturday.

Owned by e Five Racing Thoroughbreds, New Money Honey broke alertly and surged to the front, setting fractions of 24.44 seconds for a quarter-mile and the half in 49.09. Out of the final turn, the Chad Brown trainee extended her lead on Dream Dancing and outkicked her stablemate - a hard-charging Fifty Five - in the final furlong for the two-length victory. She completed 1 1/8 miles on the inner turf in 1:48.01.

"There wasn't much speed and, out of our three horses, she was the fastest. So, we figured we'd send one out there and let everyone go along," said Brown, who saddled the top two finishers and fifth-place Enchanting Kitten."Since she was the fastest of the three horses, we sent her out to the lead and we're happy with how she handled it. She ran very well.

As a 2-year-old, New Money Honey won the Grade 3 Miss Grillo and Grade 1 Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies Turf from off the pace. 

"Heading into the race and looking at the field, I didn't see too many horses that could keep up with her," said jockey Javier Castellano, who has been aboard for all of New Money Honey's starts. "My plan was to just dictate the pace and go to the lead. She was much the best. I give all the credit to Mr. Brown. The way he's been training that filly, I just enjoyed the ride."

A $2 win wager returned $4.10 as New Money Honey increased her career earnings to $807,017. She improved to 2-for-2 at Belmont Park and 3-1-0 overall.

Fifty Five has finished on the board in all seven of her career starts, handling the stretch out in distance in running at 1 1/8 miles for the first time.

"I thought Fifty Five ran a much better race this time," Brown said. "She got a better trip today. She was more forwardly placed today because of there wasn't enough speed. I was very encouraged with how she ran, and it looks like she'll improve with longer distances as well. I wanted all three of them to adapt to the pace and be there as far as they can. And they all were closer than they normally are."

Dream Dancing, one of two entries for trainer Mark Casse, was third. Coasted, Enchanting Kitten and Corporate Queen completed the order of finish. Bonita Bianca, entered for the main-track only, was scratched.