Lael Stables’ Kentucky-bred She Feels Pretty scored a determined victory over a stubborn Beach Bomb (SAF) to win the $750,000 New York Stakes (G1) on Friday, June 6, during the Belmont Stakes Racing Festival at Saratoga Race Course.
The prohibitive 1-2 favorite, She Feels Pretty, who was ridden by John Velazquez, won the 1 3/16-mile turf affair by a half-length in the end, covering the distance in 2:00.76 over a yielding course.
“She was not loving it all, she is just that good that she overcomes that,” Velazquez said.
She Feels Pretty won her last two races of 2024 for trainer Cherie DeVaux. The now 4-year-old filly captured the Queen Elizabeth II Challenge Cup (G1) in October at Keeneland and the American Oaks (G1) at Santa Anita in December. She kicked off her 2025 campaign with a victory in the Modesty Stakes (G3) in May at Churchill Downs.
She Feels Pretty Never Off the Board
All told, She Feels Pretty has never finished out of the money in 10 career starts. Her record now stands at 10-7-1-2 with a bankroll of $1.78 million. Bred n Kentucky by Payson Stud, She Feels Pretty is by Karakontie (JPN) out of the More Than Ready mare Summer Sweet.
“Having a filly like that is super special,” said DeVaux. “I think of all things this is what she would least be wanting to do. I don’t think she likes the [soft grass] course. Johnny commented that the first time around she didn’t really tug him around there, but she’s such a professional. She just did it.”