Grassy wins Belmont's Bowling Green Handicap
September 10, 2011NEW YORK (AP) - Grassy captured the $150,000 Bowling Green Handicap on Saturday, the opening-day feature at Belmont Park.
The race was contested on a grass course rated good after several days of hard rain earlier in the week.
Grassy, ridden by Garrett Gomez, raced close to the pace set by Sal the Barber. They moved for the lead in midstretch, beating Center Divider by a half-length. It was the first win in five races this year for Grassy, a 5-year-old trained by Christophe Clement. Grassy improved to 5 for 15 as he ran the 1 3-8 miles in 2:19.69.
Grassy paid $5.60, $3.30 and 2.50 as the 9-5 second choice. Center Divider returned $6.70 and $3.80 while Bold Hawk paid $5 for third.
Sanagas, the 3-2 favorite, was fourth followed by Kindergarden Kid, Colonialism and Sal the Barber.