Susie Raisher Photo

Secret Money wins $135K Floral Park

by Mary Eddy

Emcee Stable, Fortune Farm and Robert G. Hahn’s Secret Money rallied from off the pace to take command late and win Saturday’s $135,000 Floral Park, a six-furlong outer turf sprint for fillies and mares 3-years-old and up, at Belmont at the Big A.

The Floral Park saw post-time favorite Risk Threshold break sharply and rush to the front to lead the field of seven through splits of 23.06 seconds and 46.43 over the firm footing with Love Appeals and Cecile in a battle for second position just behind the pace.

Kendrick Carmouche guided the Brendan Walsh-trained Secret Money from fourth position to challenge with a three-wide bid in the stretch as Risk Threshold relinquished the lead to 48-1 shot Cecile inside the eighth pole. Love Appeals attempted to surge between Cecile and Secret Money, but it was the latter who had the superior momentum to get her head down first in a final time of 1:08.97.

In the gallop out, Secret Money sustained an injury to her left foreleg. The New York Racing Association, Inc. (NYRA)’s team of veterinarians responded immediately, and Secret Money was transported by equine ambulance to Cornell Ruffian Equine Specialists for assessment for surgery.

Carmouche could only give his best wishes to the talented filly and her connections.

"The horse ran good. I'm glad she got the win, but it was a tough go, you know, Carmouche said. “I hope they can save her."

Hollywood Walk came on late to finish third a half-length behind Love Appeals with Cecile completing the superfecta. Loon Cry, Risk Threshold, and My Kentucky Girl completed the order of finish. Tequilera, Howboutdemapples and Mohawk Trail were scratched, along with main track-only entrants Hot Fudge, Dream Concert, Security Code and Everyoneloveslinda.

Secret Money, a 4-year-old daughter of Good Samaritan, is out of the Grade 1-winning Distorted Humor mare Awesome Humor. Bred in Kentucky by WinStar Farm, she entered from a fifth-place finish in the Grade 2 Ladies Turf Sprint on August 31 at Kentucky Downs and earned her first victory since taking the Grade 3 Music City last September at the Franklin, K.Y. oval.

In victory, Secret Money brought her lifetime record to 15-4-1-1 with purse earnings of $972,580. She returned $7.30 on a $2 win ticket.

Live racing resumes Sunday at the Big A with a nine-race card, featuring the Grade 3, $175,000 Knickerbocker in Race 3. First post is 12:40 p.m. Eastern.

America’s Day at the Races will present live coverage and analysis of the Belmont at the Big A fall meet on the networks of FOX Sports. For the broadcast schedule and channel finder, visit https://www.nyra.com/aqueduct/racing/tv-schedule/.

NYRA Bets is the official wagering platform of Belmont at the Big A, and the best way to bet every race of the fall meet. Available to horse players nationwide, the NYRA Bets app is available for download today on iOS and Android at www.NYRABets.com.