Galileta backs up late money at Belterra

As Galileta took her place in the second slot in the gate in yesterday’s eighth race at Belterra, the 5-year-old mare was sitting at 2-1 on the tote board; Arcelor was 8/5 from post four. When the latch was sprung, within seconds Galileta dropped to 6/5, while Arcelor drifted up to 5/2.

The bettors who were responsible for the switch were right on the money. Galileta, a 5-year-old Amira’s Prince mare, had a dream trip with Santiago Gonzalez, while Arcelor, after breaking sharply, steadily dropped back to next to last. Gonzalez guided Galileta into the lead entering the stretch, and Arcelor used the rail to close a big gap and engage her, with Galileta proving best by a head at the wire.

Galileta was clocked in 1:13.99 for the six furlongs and paid $4.60. The check for $5,520 raised her earnings to $68,709 on a record of 5-2-2 in 21 starts.