Progressive sprinter Essentials Spice brought up a hat-trick of wins at Belmont on Saturday when unleashing another scintillating turn-of-foot.
The Gingerbread Man four-year-old produced the fastest 1000m win of the Belmont season at her last start on August 3 and handled Saturday’s Soft7 track conditions without issue when taking out the Brendan Kane 60th Birthday Handicap (1000m).
Ridden by Chris Parnham, the mare settled towards the rear of her eight-horse field and justified her $1.70 favouritism when defeating Floyd ($10.30) a half-length.
Saracino ($17.10) finished a further half-length away in third place.
Essential Spice has now won four of her 13 career starts, with total earnings of $326,200 including Westspeed bonuses.
Meanwhile, stablemate Next Stop The Moon ($2.10) lost no admirers when running a gallant third in the Vale Beaux Art Handicap (1600m) at Belmont on Saturday.
The Celtus gelding was pressured for the lead in a fast-ran affair but battled on strongly to finish a length-and-three-quarters from Purist ($95.80).
$532,950 stake-earner Pushin’ Shapes will make his return for the Pearce stable at Lark Hill trials tomorrow ahead of a possible eastern states campaign in the spring.
[PHOTO: Western Racepix]