John Velazquez recorded his third consecutive win at Belmont Friday afternoon by piloting heavily favored Thais to victory in the featured seventh race, a second-level allowance at a mile on the turf.

Thais looked to be travelling smoothly throughout under Velazquez, who kept her just off two leaders, always in striking distance over the good going. Asked to run entering the lane, she picked up the frontrunners without any difficulty and maintained a steady pace to win by about a length and a half.

Esquisse edged Dolce Lili in a tight photo for the place.

Thais ($3.30), trained by Chad Brown, was twice stakes placed last year. She completed a mile Friday in 1:35.75 in a race that marked her first start of the year.