Swift Temper upsets Seventh Street in the Ruffian Handicap at Belmont Park

Swift Temper wins Belmont’s Ruffian Handicap

NEW YORK — Swift Temper upset 1-5 favorite Seventh Street by 1¾ lengths to win the $300,000 Ruffian Handicap for fillies and mares at Belmont Park on Saturday.

Seventh Street, bidding for a third Grade 1 win this season, pressed the early pace in the mud before taking a narrow lead on the turn. She soon had company as Swift Temper ranged along side. Those two battled through the lane with Swift Temper and jockey Alan Garcia gradually pulling clear, covering the 1 1-16 miles in 1:40.59.

Swift Temper paid $11.40, $3 and $2.30. Seventh Street returned $2.10 and $2.10. Luna Vega earned $2.50 to show.

“I thought maybe I could make a surprise move on the outside and intimidate Seventh Street,” Garcia said. “Maybe my filly did intimidate her a little bit.”

Swift Temper, a 5-year-old trained by Dale Romans, earned $180,000 for Mark Stanley. The win was the third in eight starts this year, improving her career mark to 6 for 29.

The Ruffian was a “Win and You’re In” challenge stakes, insuring Swift Temper a spot in the Breeders’ Cup Ladies’ Classic on Nov. 6 at Santa Anita.

Skylighter, part of an entry with Seventh Street, was fourth followed by Be Fair and Exotic Lady.

Miss World beat Shared Account by 1 3/4 lengths in the $300,000 Garden City Stakes for 3-year-old fillies on the soft turf.

Cornelio Velasquez was aboard for trainer Christophe Clement as Miss World extended her winning streak to three in her stakes debut.

She ran the 1 1-8 miles in 1:53.55, paying $29 to win.