Elate split rivals with a furlong left to run and drew off to a commanding eight-and-a-quarter length victory in the G1 Beldame Stakes at Belmont Park.
It was the second consecutive G1 win for the three-year-old daughter of Medaglia d’Oro, and it likely earned her a place in the starting gate for the G1 Breeders’ Cup Distaff in November.
Settled in fourth by jockey Jose Ortiz, Elate was content to stalk the leaders while hugging the inside rail. As the field raced through the far turn and hit the top of the stretch, Elate was full of run but stuck behind a wall of horses with nowhere to go. Finally, a narrow opening appeared and Ortiz sent his filly through. Elate split rivals and shot to the lead, eventually pulling away to win easily.
Elate was bred in Kentucky by her owners, Claiborne Farm and Adele B. Dilschneider. She is out of the Stakes-winning Distorted Humor mare Cheery, a daughter of G2 winner and G1-placed Yell, and a half to G1 winner EAstern Echo, and multiple Graded Stakes winner Roar.
Medaglia d’Oro has sired five G1 winners this year, more than any other sire in North America. In addition to Elate, Medaglia d’Oro is the sire of G1 winners Bolt d’Oro, Songbird, New Money Honey, and Dickinson.
Medaglia d’Oro has just begun his latest southern hemisphere breeding season at Kelvinside.
