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Indian Blessing scalps three rivals in Gallant Bloom As Hal and Patti Earnhardt's homebred INDIAN BLESSING (Indian Charlie) assumed control at the quarter-pole of Saturday's $142,500 Gallant Bloom H. (G2) at Belmont Park, jockey Corey Nakatani took a quick glance over his right shoulder to assess the positioning of his most likely challengers. The onslaught from behind barely registered, however, as the champion had plenty left in the tank and drew off to score a 6 1/4-length romp, finishing up 6 1/2 furlongs over a fast track in 1:16 1/5. Breaking from the inside post in a field of four, Indian Blessing was content to allow Zada Belle (Indian Charlie) to lead through an opening quarter of :22 3/5. Indian Blessing moved up to claim the lead approaching the stretch, getting a half-mile in :45, and was more than three lengths clear after six furlongs in 1:09 3/5. Elope (Gone West), a four-year-old making her stakes debut after two easy overnight victories, made a brief run at the winner at the top of the stretch but was simply not as good on this day. Victory Ride S. (G3) winner Porte Bonheur (Hennessy), who trailed early, also moved up around the turn but was no match for the top two while finishing five lengths behind in third, with Zada Belle another 1 1/4 lengths back in fourth. With show wagering canceled after the scratch of Sugar Swirl (Touch Gold), Indian Blessing paid $2.70 to win and $2.10 to place as the near 2-5 favorite. Elope, the near 3-1 second choice returned $2.80 to place. The 1-5 exacta brought back $5.60. "It's like driving a Ferrari," Nakatani said. "I spoke with (trainer) Bob (Baffert) in California the other day and he just said, 'Be patient.' He said that (jockey Eibar) Coa's horse (Zada Belle) would try to drift out a little bit, and so just sneak up on the inside and let her do her thing. I said 'Okay, no problem.' I've been waiting for this." Indian Blessing immediately stepped up from a 5 1/4-length maiden win last year to capture the Frizette S. (G1) and Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies (G1) during her two-year-old championship season. She opened 2008 with victories in the Santa Ynez S. (G2) and Silverbulletday S. (G3), then suffered her first loss when second in the 8 1/2-furlong Fair Grounds Oaks (G2). The dark bay lass received a three-month freshening and returned to fill the runner-up spot in the Acorn S. (G1) prior to winning the Prioress S. (G1) and Test S. (G1). Indian Blessing increased her career earnings to $2,087,200 from a line of 10-8-2-0. The Kentucky-bred Indian Blessing is out of stakes winner and multiple Grade 3-placed Shameful (Flying Chevron), who has also produced a juvenile colt named Spaniard (Candy Ride [Arg]) as well as unnamed yearling and 2008 colts by Roman Ruler. She comes from the same family as Japanese Horse of the Year Zenno Rob Roy (Sunday Silence), Grade 1 heroines Cat's Cradle (Flying Paster) and Roamin Rachel (Mining), and Grade 3 victress Another (Seattle Slew).
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