Notacatbutallama rallied in the stretch of the Belmont Park turf to tally a length and a quarter victory in the $85,000 Incurable Optimist S. The 2-year-old is one of five stakes-winning juveniles by Harlan’s Holiday in 2012. The quintet includes Shanghai Bobby, a leading contender for the Nov. 3 Breeders’ Cup Juvenile (G1).
Harlan’s Holiday is the nation’s leading sire of 2-year-olds, with juvenile earnings of $1.44 million.
Notacatbutallama, the 3-5 favorite, rallied four-wide to beat Bernie the Jet with John Velazquez aboard for trainer Todd Pletcher. The New York-bred colt got his second win in five starts, running a mile on the firm turf in 1:36.33.
The winner is owned by Repole Stable, who bought him for $105,000 at this April’s OBS Spring 2-year-old sale. The bay colt is out of the stakes-placed mare Self Rising. With his $51,000 winner’s share, Notacatbutallama has now earned $143,000, with a mark of 2-2-0.
