Separationofpowers Breeders' Cup bound with G1 Frizette victory
by Najja Thompson
Making her first start since a third-place finish in the Grade 1 Spinaway at Saratoga, Klaravich Stables' Separationofpowers rebounded to win the 70th running of the Grade 1, $400,000 Frizette on Sunday at Belmont Park, earning an all-fees-paid berth to the $2 million Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies on November 4 at Del Mar.
Breaking from post 4 as the 9-5 post time favorite with Jose Ortiz aboard, Separationofpowers stalked comfortably from fourth position as Strategic Dreams set fractions of 23.26 seconds for the opening quarter-mile. With the half-mile going in 46.95, the leader remained in front, closely pressured by Purrfect Miss to her outside and Maya Malibu on the rail.
Making her move toward the leaders at the three-eighths pole, Separationofpowers was sent three-wide as the field reached the quarter-pole. Fully extended at the top of the stretch, Separationofpowers surpassed Strategic Dreams and Purrfect Miss in the late stretch to comfortably secure the victory by 3 ½ lengths.
Returning $5.90 for a $2 win wager, she completed the one mile distance in a final time of 1:38.66.
"She broke really well and I had an opportunity to put her in the clear early and I think that was the key to win the race," said Ortiz. "I put her in the clear and we went three-wide the whole way. We went easy, 46 [seconds]. The track is a little slow so I don't pay attention to the 1:38 [final time]. She's a little green when she's around horses, but once she passed them, she jumped in the bit and gave me everything she had."
Earning her first graded stakes win and second victory from three career starts, the daughter of Candy Ride boosted her career earnings to $324,800.
A late-closing Caledonia Road earned second-place honors, followed by Maya Malibu, Purrfect Miss, Strategic Dreams, Critique, Go, Wall of Compassion, Teen Angel and Drama Run to complete the order of finish.