NYRA/Coglianese Photo

​Separationofpowers controls G3 Bed o' Roses throughout

by NYRA Press Office

Multiple Grade 1 winner Separationofpowers made short work of her competition in the Grade 3, $250,000 Bed o' Roses Invitational on Friday at Belmont Park, breaking on top and waltzing home an easy 4 ¾-length winner to kick off the stakes action on the second day of the Belmont Stakes Racing Festival.

Trained by Chad Brown for Klaravich Stables, Separationofpowers captured the 2017 edition of the Grade 1 Frizette at Belmont as a 2-year-old and last year took the Grade 1 Test at Saratoga Race Course. The daughter of Candy Ride finished a disappointing third in her 2019 debut in the Grade 3 Vagrancy Handicap on May 11 at Belmont, but promptly returned to form on Friday.

"She got a lot out of her last race and she really moved forward today," said Brown. "She also took advantage of a nice sharp break. Jose [Ortiz] took control early and I think that proved to be a good decision today." 

With Ortiz aboard from outermost post 7, the bay filly shot to the front out of the gate to lead the field through reasonable splits of 22.49 seconds for the opening quarter-mile and 45.04 for the half with longshot Spring in the Wind applying pressure to her outside. Once given her cue leaving the bend, Separationofpowers spurted away from the field and cruised home to complete seven furlongs on the fast main track in 1:21.46.

"She broke really well today," said Ortiz. "Last time she ran, she probably needed that race under her belt to make the difference today. I've ridden her for her entire career. She's a very gutsy filly and she has a lot of heart and that's what we're looking for in fillies."

The win was Separationofpowers' fourth from nine starts, and increased her bankroll to $934,000. She returned $7.80 on a $2 win wager.

The star-crossed Chalon, sent off as the even-money favorite due in large part to her second-place finish in last year's Breeders' Cup Filly & Mare Sprint, was forced to play the role of bridesmaid yet again. The Arnaud Delacour trainee entered the race with a string of five consecutive runner-up finishes in graded stakes, which she extended to six with a late run to grab second while never threatening the winner.

After dropping back to last around the turn, Dawn the Destroyer re-rallied to finish third, 1 ½ lengths behind Chalon. Pacific Gale, Spring in the Wind, and Mybigitalianfriend completed the order of finish. Saguaro Row was scratched.

According to Brown, Separationofpowers may attempt to become a Grade 1 winner at 2, 3, and 4, with a possible date in the Grade 1 Ballerina on August 24 at Saratoga Race Course on the calendar for the talented filly.