Ancient Secret wins Belmont's Wild Applause Stakes by a head

NEW YORK (AP) Ancient Secret rallied to beat Thundering Sky by a head Sunday in the $100,000 Wild Applause Stakes for 3-year-old turf fillies at Belmont Park.

The undefeated chestnut trained by Chad Brown passed two important tests. This was her first stakes race, and the first try in open company after easily beating New York breds in two previous starts.

Ancient Secret and jockey Irad Ortiz, Jr. rallied four wide at the top of the stretch and closed relentlessly to nip Thundering Sky, who had grabbed the lead turning for home.

The time was 1:33.92 for the mile on the firm course.

Ancient Secret paid $8.30, $5 and $3.50 as the 3-1 second choice. Thundering Sky returned $12.60 and $8.10, and Welcoming paid $4.20 to show. Ava's Kitten, also trained by Brown, was fourth as the 2-1 favorite.