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| Staff Writer |
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Shadwell Stables' Zaajel captured the Mother Goose Stakes at Belmont Park for Hall of Fame trainer Todd Pletcher and new owner Sheikha Hissa Hamdan Al Maktoum, daughter of the late Sheikh Hamdan bin Rashid Al Maktoum, who be continuing her father's legacy at Shadwell Estate.
Angus Gold, Shadwell's longtime racing manager, told Racing Post that Sheikha Hissa will take over as head of the powerful racing and breeding operation. The news comes on the heels of Monday's announcement that Shadwell Stud Director Richard Lancaster would step down.
The 3YO daughter of Street Sense was sent to the starting gates as the longest shot on the board in a compact field of five.
Zaajel tracked the pace of previously undefeated Always Carina before making the lead at the stretch call and powering home a 1 1/4-length winner.
The bay filly has won 3 of her five starts including the Forward Gal Stakes at Gulf Stream Park.
Pletcher said he was pleased to see Zaajel return to form, who now gives the conditioner a strong one-two punch in the sophomore filly division along with Malathaat, her undefeated Shadwell stablemate and winner of the Kentucky Oaks.
