Brilliant Belle tried the turf for the first time in two years and she handled it like a champ.

Jareth Loveberry rode her superbly, keep her just off the early pace and settled in along the rail. When things opened up on the turn for home she angled to the outside and had a clear shot at the leaders. The 7.5 furlongs proved to be too much, however, and she settled for 4th.

I was very happy with the way she ran. She tried hard the whole way and handled the new surface and distance well.

We’ll see how she comes back and if all is well, we’ll try and get her in one more time for the home crowd before she departs for Kentucky (or gets claimed).