MSW RECEPTA won the NOBLE DAMSEL S.-G3 at Belmont.
RECEPTA, winner of the Chelsea Flower S. made only three starts during her sophomore season, including thirds in the G3 Appalachian S. and Wonder Again S. She took a Keeneland allowance this April before a third in the G3 Beaugay S. and a fourth in Monmouth’s G3 Eatontown June 27. She annexed the De La Rose S. at Saratoga Aug. 8.
RECEPTA rated down the backstretch and began to close heading into the turn. She angled out four wide at he top of the stretch to gain the lead and hold to clear the field.
“I think the key to her development this year is more maturity than anything,” said winning trainer Jimmy Toner. “She was kind of washy and sort of flighty last year and couldn’t take too much. We gave her the winter off and brought her back in the spring, and she’s taken every step that we’ve wanted her to take. I was a little disappointed with her race in Monmouth, but what are you going to do? Since that time, she’s responded to everything we’ve done. We’ll probably come back in the [GIII] Athenia [S. at Belmont Oct. 17]. We mapped out a plan for her early on: the De La Rose, which was restricted–worked out perfect. Wanted to get a graded stake–worked out perfect. She’ll have two more starts this year, and if she comes back next year bigger and stronger I think she can develop into something special.”