Guarana proved she is indeed the real deal with a sensational victory in the Grade 1, $700,000 Acorn Stakes on the Belmont Stakes undercard, a performance made even more sensational when you consider that she had raced just once before.

Guarana, a Chad Brown-trained daughter of Ghostzapper, only made her debut in mid-April and while she won laughing over maidens at Keeneland by almost 15 lengths, that was in the slop.

On Saturday, Guarana faced seasoned stakes horses on a dry track and made them look like maidens. She tracked a scorching early pace (21.89 seconds and 43.99) from the inside, which has been the best part of the Belmont main track for days, took the lead from Grade 1 Kentucky Oaks winner Serengeti Empress into the stretch, and drew off to score by six lengths, completing the one mile in 1:33.58.

Guarana paid $5.80 as the favorite.

Serengeti Empress was actually game finishing a clear second as she carved out that wickedly fast pace after ducking in at the start, which cost her an alert break. Jeltrin got up for third over Ce Ce.

Guarana is owned and was bred by Three Chimneys Farm, and was ridden by Jose Ortiz.

A full recap to follow on drf.com.