Belmont: Happy Like a Fool headlines competitive G3 Matron

By Nsajja Thompson —-

ELMONT, N.Y. – Making her first start in North America since breaking her maiden on April 9 at Keeneland, Happy Like a Fool for trainer Wesley Ward and owners Mrs. John Magnier, Michael Tabor and Derrick Smith will headline a competitive field of five in the Grade 3, $150,000 Matron for juvenile fillies on Sunday at Belmont Park.

Following her winning debut, Happy Like a Fool made her next start overseas in the Group 2 Queen Mary at Ascot Racecourse where she finished second by a half-length. In her most recent start, she finished sixth in the Group 2 Lowther Stakes at York before returning stateside.

“She’s a very talented filly,” said Ward. “She has a good pedigree and her works here on the dirt at Keeneland have been really eye opening. She has speed but is very tractable so she can pretty much be placed anywhere in the race and we’d feel fairly confident. She won her debut on the dirt and followed with a strong showing at Ascot where she was just beat at the wire. At York, the ground came up soft with a late shower just before the race which she didn’t take to, but following that race coming back here to Keeneland she’s been great and developing really well.”

The 7-5 morning line favorite, Happy Like a Fool is also cross entered against males in the $150,000 Futurity on Saturday. Drawing post 3 for the Matron, Tyler Gaffalione has the call.

Set to make her third career start is Honey Graeme for owner Ralph M. Evans and trainer Rick Violette, Jr.

Sired by Graeme Hall and purchased for $50,000 as a 2-year-old at the Ocala Breeders’ Sale in March, Honey Graeme made her debut on August 3 at Saratoga Race Course where she bested a field of 10 to win by 1 ¼ lengths. She followed up that impressive debut with a third-place finish in the Ontario Debutante on September 9 at Woodbine.

The 2-1 second choice on the morning line, Honey Graeme will leave from post 5 With Irad Ortiz, Jr. aboard.

Looking to rebound from a subpar finish in the Grade 2 Pocahontas at Churchill Downs for trainer Kelly Breen is Take Charge Paula for owner Bruce Tallisman. A progeny of Take Charge Indy, she won her first start by 4 ½ lengths on July 7 at Monmouth Park and followed up in her next start to win in the White Clay Creek before entering the Pocahontas.

Listed as the 3-1 third choice on the morning line, Nik Juarez will be in the irons as the pair will depart from post 2.

Rounding out the field is Tarawa for trainer David Duggan and owner Edward Seltzer at odds of 15-1 on the morning line and Valuable Package for Hoover Thoroughbred Racing and trainer Skip Einhorn listed at 8-1 on the morning line.