R Disaster returned to her best form and defended her title in the Gallant Bloom Stakes at Belmont Park
The Derby City Distaff (G1) winner dominated wire-to-wire, prevailing by 1 1/4 lengths over Senza Parole to put her flat effort in the Ballerina Handicap (G1) firmly behind her. Trainer Saffie Joseph Jr. confirmed that, provided all goes well, her next target will be the Breeders’ Cup Filly & Mare Sprint (G1)
ELMONT, New York (Special for Turf Diario).— Any doubts left by R Disaster at Saratoga lasted for precisely one race. Back to her best form, the sprinter defended her crown this Thursday in the Gallant Bloom Stakes (G2-1300 m, $250,000) at Belmont Park, controlling the pace from the start and comfortably turning back a late bid from Senza Parole (Gun Runner).
The daughter of Awesome Slew was returning off an uncharacteristic unplaced effort—the first of her career—in the Ballerina Stakes (G1) on August 29, but trainer Saffie Joseph Jr. had a clear explanation for that performance: she was returning from a break of more than three months, and her preparation had been compromised by an issue in a hind leg.
This time, the story was completely different. With José Ortiz back in the saddle, R Disaster broke cleanly from post 5, the outermost stall, and quickly crossed over to lead. She covered the opening 400 meters in 23s67/100, with Munnings Express (Munnings) giving chase, while Senza Parole, Beauty Reigns (Into Mischief), and Queen Jubilee (Authentic) tracked somewhat further back.
Without facing excessive pressure, the favorite managed her energy efficiently. She reached the 800-meter mark in 45s78/100 and straightened for home with plenty in reserve, even as Senza Parole began to loom as a serious threat along the inside under Flavien Prat.
The Chad Brown trainee found running room, angled off the rail, and launched a final challenge, but R Disaster had more than enough to respond.
Ortiz kept her focused down to the wire, and the favorite crossed the line 1 1/4 lengths clear, stopping the clock in 1m16s17/100 for the 1,300 meters on a fast main track.
"She broke really well. She looked like the fastest horse in the race, so we went out and took control," Ortiz explained. "She finished up very well today. The fractions weren't overly fast, but she was traveling comfortably, and we were best."
Senza Parole finished second, well clear of the rest: 4 1/4 lengths separated her from Beauty Reigns in third, followed home by Munnings Express and Queen Jubilee.
Back on track For Joseph, the result carried special meaning following the setback in the Ballerina. "She was coming off her first time out of the money and we knew we hadn't been able to prepare her properly, but we still needed to see her come back and run well," he acknowledged. "There’s always a little doubt in your mind, so seeing her win was great."
R Disaster had been targeted for the Honorable Miss Stakes (G2) on July 26 at Saratoga, but a hind leg issue forced a change of plans.
It was not a new problem for her connections. "She had a similar issue about a year ago. It's something we've always had to manage. When she gives us a sign, we have to wait," the trainer explained.
That interruption left the team with little maneuvering room. R Disaster entered the Ballerina needing a race to regain fitness, and according to Joseph, running her was practically unavoidable regardless of the outcome.
The Gallant Bloom found the mare much closer to her true level, despite having recorded only one official workout since Saratoga. Now, with another race under her belt, her trainer expects further improvement.
Keeneland on the horizon The next step should prove considerably more demanding. Joseph indicated that, as long as R Disaster continues to progress favorably, she will get her chance in the Breeders’ Cup Filly & Mare Sprint (G1) at Keeneland.
There, she could face a rematch with Ways and Means (Tiz the Law), a rival she already defeated earlier this season. That occurred in May, when R Disaster earned the signature victory of her campaign by making all the running to prevail by 2 1/4 lengths in the Derby City Distaff Stakes (G1) at Churchill Downs.
Earlier in the year, she captured the Hurricane Bertie Stakes (G3) at Gulfstream Park, while her first Gallant Bloom(G2) trophy came in September 2025, when the race was staged at Belmont at the Big A.
With Thursday's victory, the Averill Racing and Anthony Mattera colorsbearer elevated her record to 10 wins, 6 seconds, and 1 third from 18 career starts, including four graded stakes scores.
Bred in Florida by Ocala Stud and Michael O’Farrell Jr., R Disaster is by Awesome Slew out of Making Havoc(Gottcha Gold). The Gallant Bloom added another $137,500 to a bankroll that had already surpassed $1 million.
The Ballerina had temporarily interrupted a brilliant season, but Belmont brought back the familiar version of R Disaster: fast out of the gate, difficult to catch, and resilient when challenged. With her second consecutive Gallant Bloom victory secured, Keeneland once again looms as the target that matters most.
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