Akatea rallies from last to win Belmont Park feature
NEW YORK (AP) Akatea rallied from last to capture the $80,000 allowance feature for fillies and mares on the turf Friday at Belmont Park.
The 4-year-old bred in Ireland trailed the six-horse field before launching a four-wide bid at the top of the stretch. Joel Rosario urged her on to a half-length victory over Now Power and JC's Shooting Star who finished in a dead heat for second.
Trained by Christophe Clement, Akatea got her first win in two U.S. starts. The 3-5 favorite started her career in France, compiling a 2 for 7 record there.
The time was 1:44.34 for the 1 1/16 miles.
Akatea paid $3.40, $2.50 and $2.20.
With the deadlock for second, Now Power returned $2.60 and $3.10 while JC's Shooting Star paid $3.60 and $3.60.