Come Dancing looms a standout in Gallant Bloom

Not only will Come Dancing be a heavy favorite to captured Sunday's $300,000 Gallant Bloom H. (G2) at Belmont Park, but another monster effort from the five-year-old mare could solidify her potential favoritism for the November 2 Breeders' Cup Filly and Mare Sprint (G1) at Santa Anita.

With the exception of a second-place finish in the Ogden Phipps (G1) to leading older filly Midnight Bisou, Come Dancing has waltzed her way through the rest of her campaign schedule. Winner of the Distaff H. (G3) and Ruffian (G2) by a combined margin of 14 1/2 lengths before the Phipps, she punched her ticket to the Breeders' Cup with a 3 1/2-length decision in the Ballerina (G1) at Saratoga last month.

"She's doing fantastic," trainer Carlos Martin said. "I think from the moment last season when she lost by a neck to Marley's Freedom in the Go For Wand (G3) she's really turned a corner. We really wanted to target this race, it might be her last chance to run in front of her fans here in New York at Belmont Park and at NYRA.

"Of course, our year end goal is the Breeders' Cup and hopefully we can cap her year with a championship. She's had a strong campaign. It's bittersweet this may be the last time she runs at Belmont, but she's turned into a fantastic mare."

Among Come Dancing's four rivals is Minit to Stardom, who posted a 20-1 upset of the Honorable Miss H. (G2) at the Spa July 24. The Louisiana-bred is three-for-three since joining the Jose Camejo barn earlier this year.

The rest, including restricted stakes winners Carrera Cat and Majestic Reason, have class questions to answer in the 6 1/2-furlong dash.