More Than Ready filly Zindaya led home a one-two for trainer Christophe Clement in the LR Intercontinental Stakes (1400m) at Belmont on Thursday.
As Triple Crown fever built up in New York, Zindaya prompted the pace to defeat her stablemate Marbre Rose (Smart Strike) by two lengths on opening day of the Belmont Stakes meeting.
Zindaya (4f More Than Ready – Aristocratic Lady by Kris S.) is perfect on Belmont’s turf. She broke her maiden at Saratoga last summer and followed up with an allowance score on Belmont’s inner turf before adding the LR License Fee Stakes over the same course on May 1.
“I feel comfortable with her,” jockey Manny Franco said after the $150,000 event for distaffers. “I know her and she’s a nice filly.”
Bred in Kentucky, Zindaya is a half-sister to G1 Belmont Jamaica Hcp winner Western Aristocrat (Mr. Greeley). After passing-in for $145,000 at the 2012 Keeneland September yearling sale, she has earned $286,740.
“I’m delighted she’s done so well for our new owners Regis Farm,” Clement said. “I told Manny to be careful with the pace but I was pretty sure she could get the (1400m) trip today.”
Zindaya completed a black-type double for More Than Ready on the east coast following More Than A Party‘s victory in the Open Mind Hcp (1200m) at Monmouth Park last Sunday.
