Smith Makes First U.S. Start a Charm for Island of Silver

Island of Silver made her first U.S. start a winning one Friday, vying for command going into the stretch and holding on for a neck victory in the $48,000 allowance feature for fillies and mares at Belmont.

Island of Silver, 114, ridden by Mike Smith, had been raced primarily in the United Arab Emirates and England before coming to the States.

Starry Val, 117, ridden by Mike Luzzi, finished well to be runnerup in the field of six. It was another eight lengths to Dancer’s Gate, 112, ridden by Gerry Martin. Hadee Mae, the odds-on choice, failed to threaten and finished fourth, ahead of only Dixie Luck and Princess Streak.

The win was the first in two starts this year for Island of Silver, a 4-year-old daughter of Forty Niner.

Island of Silver covered 1 1-16 miles on the muddy track in 1:43 1-5 and earned $28,800 for Godolphin Stable. She returned $20.60,$10.80 and $5. Starry Val paid $6.30 and $5.20 and Dancer’s Gate was $5.