Following a disappointing showing at Saratoga last month, R Disaster bounced back with a front-running victory to successfully defend her title in the $250,000 Grade 2 Gallant Bloom Stakes at Belmont Park in Elmont, New York. Out of post 5 and favored at 1-2 odds, the Saffie Joseph Jr.-trained mare broke sharply under jockey Jose Ortiz, immediately taking the lead. She set solid early fractions of :22.97 for the first quarter and :45.78 for the half-mile, entering the stretch with a 1½-length advantage over the five-horse field. The 5-year-old Awesome Slew filly held off a late challenge from Senza Parole, finishing 1¼ lengths ahead.
The final time for the 6½ furlongs was 1:16.17, with Senza Parole placing second and Beauty Reigns a distant third, trailing by 4¼ lengths. With this victory, R Disaster improved her 2026 season record to three wins and one third from five starts. Her wins this year include a 5½-length triumph in the G3 Hurricane Bertie Stakes at Gulfstream in March, and a 2¼-length score in Churchill Downs’ G1 Derby City Distaff. Between those victories, she took third in Keeneland’s G1 Madison Stakes.
In her last race, the seven-furlong G1 Ballerina Stakes at Saratoga on August 29, the Florida-bred mare recorded her first finish outside of the top three. “She had some issues and missed training time before finishing sixth in the Ballerina,” said part-owner Richard Averill in an interview with America’s Day at the Races. “She wasn’t quite ready for that race. We targeted the Gallant Bloom and hopefully the Breeders’ Cup after this.”
The seven-furlong Breeders’ Cup Filly & Mare Sprint is scheduled for October 31 in Lexington, Kentucky. R Disaster is campaigned by Averill Racing and Anthony Mattera and was bred in Florida by Ocala Stud & J. Michael O’Farrell Jr.
Fan Take:
R Disaster’s strong comeback emphasizes the resilience and competitive spirit prized in horse racing, proving that even setbacks can be overcome with the right preparation. Her run sets the stage for an exciting Breeders’ Cup showdown, reigniting fan enthusiasm and highlighting the sport’s thrilling season-defining moments.
Source: sports.yahoo.com
