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Ogden Phipps belongs to Close Hatches

Close Hatches, ridden by Joel Rosario, held off Princess of Sylmar and champion filly Beholder to win Saturday's $1 million Ogden Phipps Stakes at Belmont Park on the Belmont Stakes program.

The 1 1/16-mile Phipps was to be a meeting for the third time of the three leading 4-year-old fillies in racing, Beholder, Princess of Sylmar and Close Hatches.

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Two-time champion Beholder was the even-money favorite, Princess of Sylmar was 9-5 and Close Hatches was 5-2 in the six-horse field.

Close Hatches, trained by Bill Mott, stalked the pace being set by 30-1 longshots Classic Point and Antipathy. Beholder, ridden by Gary Stevens, was fourth and jockey Javier Castellano had Princess of Sylmar racing fifth.

Close Hatches went wide around the final turn to take the lead as Beholder moved into second and Princess of Sylmar into third. Close Hatches had the lead at the top of the stretch with Princess of Sylmar to her outside and Beholder on the inside.

Close Hatches put away Beholder with a 100 yards to go as Princess of Sylmar drew closer from the outside. At the wire, Close Hatches posted a head victory over Princess of Sylmar with Antipathy getting third and Beholder falling back to fourth. Belle Gallantey was fifth followed by Classic Point.

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The time for the Ogden Phipps was 1:40.55 on a fast track.

Owned by Juddmonte Farms, Close Hatches adds $600,000 to her bankroll as she extends her winning streak to three. The filly has career earnings of $2,447,300 with eight wins in 11 starts.

The 4-year-old defeated her two main rivals for the first time. Last year, Princess of Sylmar won the Kentucky Oaks and Beholder claimed the Breeders' Cup Distaff with Close Hatches finishing seventh and second, respectively.

Close Hatches has wins this year in the Azeri and Apple Blossom Handicap, both at Oaklawn Park and victories as a 3-year-old in the Gazelle, Mother Goose and Cotillion Stakes.

Close Hatches returned $7.80, $3.50 and $3.00. Princess of Sylmar paid $3.20 and $2.10, and Antipathy paid $6.10 to show.

[SportsNetwork.com]

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