Sun Sep 16 03:59:46 2007

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Lear's Princess upsets Rags to Riches in Gazelle Stakes

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Elmont, NY (Sports Network) - Belmont Stakes winner Rags to Riches was upset by a half-length in Saturday's $250,000 Gazelle Stakes in her first start since the historic victory. Lear's Princess, runner-up in the Alabama Stakes, overtook the leading three-year-old filly down the Belmont Park stretch in the 1 1/8 mile contest.

Rags to Riches, one of only three females to win the Belmont Stakes, has had health issues since capturing the third leg of racing's Triple Crown. Twice this summer she has come down with a fever and missed scheduled workouts.

Owned by Michael Tabor and Derrick Smith, Rags to Riches came into the Gazelle having won all five starts this year for more than $1.29 million. The filly was sent off as the 2-5 favorite in the five horse field under jockey John Velazquez for trainer Todd Pletcher.

The field broke well from the gate with Dorm Fever taking a short lead over Tough Tiz's Sis. Rags to Riches settled into third on the outside followed by Lear's Princess and Le Chateau.

Around the final turn Rags to Riches drew even with the two leaders and took the lead coming into the stretch. Moving on the outside of the favorite was Lear's Princess with jockey Eibar Coa.

Lear's Princess caught Rags to Riches inside of 100 yards to run and went on to register the upset. Finishing third was Tough Tiz's Sis with Dorm Fever fourth and Le Chateau last.

The time for the 112th running of the Gazelle Stakes was 1:47.86 on a fast track.

Lear's Princess is owned by West Point Thoroughbreds and trained by Kiaran McLaughlin. The filly earned $150,000 with the win to bring her career bankroll to $429,100 in six starts and four wins.

Along with the second place finish to Lady Joanne in the Alabama, Lear's Princess was runner-up in the Coaching Club American Oaks to Octave, also trained by Pletcher. Earlier this year she won a minor stakes race at Belmont Park.

"This is the time to run against Rags to Riches," said McLaughlin before the race. "That said, I still have a lot of respect for her and her connections."

Lear's Princess returned $6.20, $2.30 and $2.10. Rags To Riches, in just her second career defeat, paid $2.10 and $2.10, and Tough Tiz's Sis paid $2.40 to show.