Ancient Secret stepped into stakes company for the first time in Sunday's $100,000 Wild Applause S. at Belmont Park, and the 3-year-old daughter of Kantharos responded with a scintillating late surge to win by a head and simultaneously run her record to a perfect 3-for-3.

Stretching out to a mile following a six-furlong maiden and a seven furlong allowance win, Ancient Secret was allowed to settle a few lengths off the pace for the backstretch run after a very alert break from the gate.

In hand while three-wide around the bend, Irad Ortiz, Jr. finally asked her to run the about 3/16ths of a mile to go, and Ancient Secret took off, running down Thundering Sky in deep stretch to snatch the victory (VIDEO).

The final time for the mile was an excellent 1:33 4/5 on the firm turf.

”She's a very handy filly,” said Ortiz, Jr. “She broke well and I just let her put me where she wanted to be. When I asked her, she had plenty of run. I think she'll be able to go further.” 

Trained by Chad Brown for Alpha Delta Stables, Ancient Secret upped her bankroll to $139,200. A New York-bred filly, she sold for $225,000 at the 2015 OBS Spring 2-year-old Sale.

Ancient Secret is one of four black type winners this year by Kantharos, who tops the list for all sires standing in Florida in 2016.