Tempted winner is much Better Now
Lee Lewis’ homebred BETTER NOW (Thunder Gulch) made a powerful last-to-first
move to take the $110,000
Tempted S. (G3) by 3 1/2 lengths at Belmont
Park on Sunday.
Jockey Javier Castellano was content to sit at the rear as pacesetter and
runner-up Capote’s Crown (Capote) went in splits of :22 4/5 and :46 for the
opening half-mile. As the field approached the turn for home, the Mark Hennig
trainee began to pick off horse one at a time before putting away the leader
with relative ease, stopping the timer in 1:38 1/5 for the mile. The 5-1 shot
was worth $13.40, $5.20 and $2.90 while topping the $78 exacta and $243 trifecta.
Capote’s Crown did well to hold the place, 2 1/2 lengths clear of her nearest pursuer.
The well-bred lass paid $4.80 and $3.80 at 7-2. Wonder Lady Anne L (Real Quiet)
garnered third as the 9-5 favorite, and was trailed by Jinni (A.P. Indy), Bella
Fortuna (Louis Quatorze), Swap Fliparoo (Exchange Rate) and Sparkling Pink (Marquetry).
Dance Daily (Five Star Day) was withdrawn.
Better Now moved her lifetime mark to 5-2-1-1 with a bankroll of $130,900.
The Kentucky-bred bay filly was fourth most recently in the Frizette S. (G1),
and is produced from the stakes-winning and Grade 3-placed Scenic Point
(Unbridled). Better Now has an unnamed yearling full sister.