GIII Matron Stakes

Gary Barber and Peter Deutsch's Final Accord (War of Will), a very sharp debut winner sprinting over the Woodbine lawn Sept. 11, stayed perfect in Thursday's GIII Matron S. at the Belmont at the Big A meeting. Sixth through a half mile in :44.60, Junior Alvarado tipped Final Accord out off the turn for home and the 5-1 chance came rolling down the center while racing greenly to win by a length. Favored Royal Testament (Midshipman) nosed out unlucky pacesetter Should've (Not This Time) for second. The latter was rushed...

Seemingly hopelessly beaten turning for home in Sunday's GIII Matron Stakes, Abientot turned on all boosters late to collect her first career black-type victory in New York. Breaking well from the 10-hole, the Tracy Farmer runner was eased to the back by Dylan Davis as first Flirting With Time (Yorkton) and then Laurice (Bolt d'Oro) led through opening fractions of :21.58 and :44.48. Finally unfurling her legs turning for home, Abientot was moving twice as fast as everyone else down the lane, caught the front running rank in the final...