Date: Sunday, May 4, 2025
Time: 7:04 PM ET
Venue: Belmont at The Big A, Queens, NY
Distance: 6 Furlongs (Turf)
Age/Sex: 4+ Fillies & Mares
Purse: $150,000
Race Overview
The License Fee Stakes is a six-furlong turf sprint for fillies and mares aged four and older, offering a $150,000 purse. This race is a key test for turf sprinters, featuring a competitive field of eight contenders, including graded stakes winners, rising stars, and experienced turf specialists.
With speed and tactical positioning playing a crucial role, expect a fast-paced battle where horses with strong closing ability could have the edge.
Contenders, Jockeys, Trainers & Pedigrees
1. Weehawken (Daddy Long Legs) – Trainer: Saffie Joseph Jr. | Jockey: John Velazquez
- Pedigree: By Daddy Long Legs, known for producing versatile turf runners.
- Recent Form: 3rd in last start, previously won two consecutive races.
- Strengths: Consistent performer, strong finishing ability.
- Concerns: Needs a perfect trip to contend against top sprinters.
2. Buttercream Babe (Twirling Candy) – Trainer: Michael Maker | Jockey: Joel Rosario
- Pedigree: By Twirling Candy, a sire known for speed and turf success.
- Recent Form: 7th in last start, but previously placed in multiple stakes races.
- Strengths: Tactical speed, can sit close to the pace.
- Concerns: Needs to bounce back from recent struggles.
3. Love Appeals (Speightstown) – Trainer: Christophe Clement | Jockey: Dylan Davis
- Pedigree: By Speightstown, a sire known for elite sprinters.
- Recent Form: Won two of last four starts, including a strong effort in stakes company.
- Strengths: Proven class, strong closing ability.
- Concerns: Needs a fast pace to set up her late run.
4. Hollywood Walk (Animal Kingdom) – Trainer: Michael Trombetta | Jockey: Mychel Sanchez
- Pedigree: By Animal Kingdom, a sire known for producing turf specialists.
- Recent Form: 3rd in last two starts, consistent performer.
- Strengths: Handles turf well, solid late kick.
- Concerns: Needs to improve finishing speed to challenge top contenders.
5. Dontlookbackatall (Peace And Justice) – Trainer: Christophe Clement | Jockey: Irad Ortiz Jr.
- Pedigree: By Peace And Justice, a sire known for producing durable turf runners.
- Recent Form: Won two of last five starts, including a stakes victory.
- Strengths: Versatile runner, strong tactical speed.
- Concerns: Needs to avoid traffic issues in a crowded field.
6. Time To Dazzle (Not This Time) – Trainer: Mark Casse | Jockey: Javier Castellano
- Pedigree: By Not This Time, a sire known for producing strong closers.
- Recent Form: 4th in last start, previously won an allowance race.
- Strengths: Late speed, capable of closing well.
- Concerns: Needs a fast pace to maximize her closing ability.
7. On Command (Omaha Beach) – Trainer: Amelia Green | Jockey: Katie Davis
- Pedigree: By Omaha Beach, a sire known for producing versatile sprinters.
- Recent Form: Won last start, improving form.
- Strengths: Speedy front-runner, could dictate the pace.
- Concerns: Needs to handle pressure from closers.
8. Save Us Melania (Constitution) – Trainer: Linda Rice | Jockey: TBD
- Pedigree: By Constitution, a sire known for producing strong turf runners.
- Recent Form: Won last start, showing sharp improvement.
- Strengths: Speed and stamina, capable of handling pace pressure.
- Concerns: Needs to prove herself against tougher competition.
Race Analysis & Predictions
Pace Projection
- On Command and Save Us Melania are likely to press the pace, setting a fast tempo.
- Love Appeals and Dontlookbackatall will sit mid-pack, waiting for the right moment to strike.
- Time To Dazzle and Hollywood Walk will likely close late, relying on stamina to make a move in the stretch.
Key Factors
- Speed vs. Stamina: Horses with early speed may have an advantage, but closers could capitalize if the pace is too fast.
- Turf Experience: Runners with strong turf pedigrees and Belmont success will be favored.
- Jockey Influence: Irad Ortiz Jr. (Dontlookbackatall) and Joel Rosario (Buttercream Babe) are known for strong turf rides.
Predicted Order of Finish
1️⃣ Love Appeals – Strong closer, best recent form.
2️⃣ Dontlookbackatall – Tactical speed, well-suited for distance.
3️⃣ Save Us Melania – Improving form, could surprise.
4️⃣ Hollywood Walk – Consistent, but needs a perfect trip.
5️⃣ On Command – Could fade late.
6️⃣ Time To Dazzle – Needs pace to set up her late run.
7️⃣ Buttercream Babe – Struggled recently, needs improvement.
8️⃣ Weehawken – Needs a perfect trip to contend.
