Celestine wins Belmont's Wild Applause Stakes

NEW YORK (AP) Celestine got her fourth straight win Sunday, edging Partisan Politics by a nose in the $100,000 Wild Applause Stakes for 3-year-old fillies on the turf at Belmont Park.

It was the deepest field she had faced, producing the tightest margin of the winning streak.

Celestine and jockey Rajiv Maragh vied with Lismore for the early lead before putting away that rival turning for home. Partisan Politics came charging late in her first race since running sixth last October in the Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies Turf at Santa Anita.

Celestine, trained by Bill Mott, prevailed in the head bob at the wire to return $4.40, $3.10 and $2.40 as the 6-5 favorite.

Partisan Politics returned $3.70 and $2.90 and Stormy Regatta paid $3.30 to show.

The time was 1:34.18 for the mile on the firm course.