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BELMONT NOTEBOOK OCTOBER 10, 2013 by John Mucciolo A handful of graded races topped the weekend at Belmont Park. Champagne S. (G1): John Magnier et al's HAVANA (Dunkirk) seized the lead approaching the final turn while on the inside, expanded that advantage by midstretch and then held on bravely from a pair of deep closers to win by a neck for Todd Pletcher. The impressive juvenile colt, unbeaten from a pair of tries, got one mile on the fast main strip in 1:35 4/5 with Irad Ortiz Jr. in the irons. Jamaica S. (G1): Sam-Son Farm's homebred UP WITH THE BIRDS (Stormy Atlantic) moved into contention approaching the turn for home, edged to the clear in late stretch and held off a few classy ones on the way to a half-length tally under Cornelio Velasquez. The Malcolm Pierce trainee went nine panels on the firm turf in 1:48 3/5 to earn his first Grade 1 win. Frizette S. (G1): Chester and Mary Broman's ARTEMIS AGROTERA (Roman Ruler) pressed the pace in second, took command in early stretch and strode home a one-length vixen for conditioner Michael Hushion. The juvenile filly clocked the one-mile on the fast main oval in 1:36 1/5 beneath Jose Lezcano. Miss Grillo S. (G2): Covello et al's TESTA ROSSI (Dr Fong) was last early, made a huge sweeping move to take over nearing midstretch and then held on gamely from a fast-closing foe to post a nose victory with Lezcano riding. The Chad Brown pupil, who was making her U. S. debut, stopped the teletimer in a solid 1:41 3/5. Pilgrim S. (G3): Ken and Sarah Ramsey's homebred BOBBY'S KITTEN (Kitten's Joy) overtook the lead in early stretch and powered home a most convincing 6 1/4-length winner of this race for Brown. The two-year-old Kentucky-bred came home fast in clocking the 1 1/16 miles on the firm lawn in 1:42 1/5 with Javier Castellano in the saddle. Track Stats A total of 50 races were held at the Elmont, New York, venue, with favorites winning at a 22 percent rate and the top two betting choices combining for 52 percent of the wins during the week. From 23 races on the main oval, two animals won in wire-to-wire fashion (9 percent), while five of the 27 races on the lawn were taken all the way on the front (19 percent). The main oval favored closers this week more than ever before at this meeting, as just a pair led throughout over Big Sandy. We'll keep an eye on these statistics, but have a hunch speed will come back into play in the upcoming week. Of the five wire jobs on the lawn, a trio of those came on the inner turf (two sprints and one route), while the other pair came in the form of route races on the outer green. Meet Totals
HORSES TO WATCH Wednesday (10/2) 1ST -- SUNRISE KITTY (Cowtown Cat) had no chance with the loose on the lead winner but close well to finish a clear second for conditioner Jason Servis. The sophomore filly will be a major player right back with any type of improvement. 2ND -- Trainer Mark Hennig doesn't get a lot of debut winners, so when CABO CAT (Kitten's Joy) won going away in his debut we took notice. It's probably wise to keep an eye on the juvenile colt going forward for a barn hitting on all cylinders at this meeting. 8TH -- Although BABY J (J Be K) won a race with just three runners in it, we still came away impressed with the sophomore filly in running down a clear one late under Javier Castellano. The three-year-old miss is very stubborn and we think she looms a chance right back if in with similar. Thursday (10/3) 5TH -- Trainer Eddie Kenneally unveiled a real promising youngster in ULTIMATE SHOPPER (Yes It's True), who went fast early and never looked back en route to a dominant, 12 1/2-length debut win under Jose Lezcano. The sophomore filly could simply be any kind going forward. 8TH -- BLUEGRASS SPRINGS (Bluegrass Cat) ran out of his skin a little in this turf dash, reeling in a clear leader late and driving home a 1 1/2-length hero in a fast time. The sophomore got his final quarter in a rapid :22 1/5 and could be in a fine form cycle for Linda Rice. Friday (10/4) 1ST -- SAMPSON COUNTY (Majestic Warrior) had little chance late with the 1-5 winner, but this James Lawrence trainee held on well in the lane to be a nice second and even slight improvement should put the sophomore in position to win next time. 4TH -- Trainer David Jacobson might have gotten a nice one off the claim with PASS THE TAP (Pleasant Tap), who tracked in second, wore down the pace setter and inched clear to a convincing score beneath Lezcano. The gelded three-year-old will likely be a factor in his debut with winners next time. Saturday (10/5) 5TH -- HARDEST CORE (Hard Spun) got stuck with yet another real tough post position but came through with a fine late run under Luis Saez, getting up late over a solid field. We like this sophomore colt a lot and consider him to be a stakes-caliber performer in the very near future. 6TH -- RARE EAGLE (Birdstone) broke last early and had a ton of work to do in the early going, but this Tom Albertrani debuter closed well to be a nice third, a race that should set the juvenile colt up for next time. It's surely not easy for a first timer to go 1 1/16 miles against experienced runners, so we applaud this effort. 9TH -- ARTEMIS AGROTERA really impressed us in this route debut, rating some early and putting in her best run on cue in a classy score in just her second lifetime race. We think this lass topped a nice field and will be very tough in the Breeders' Cup if her connections opt to go in that direction. Sunday (10/6) 1ST -- CAIRO PRINCE (Pioneerof the Nile) pressed the early leader, took the lead in the lane and never looked back in posting a sharp 2 3/4-length debut win for conditioner Kiaran McLaughlin. The juvenile colt came home fast and we're pretty sure this one will be able to stretch out with more seasoning. HARPOON (Tapit) was more than 11 lengths clear of third and shouldn't be a maiden for long for trainer Todd Pletcher. 10TH -- SKY PAINTER (Street Cry) was outmoved on the turn and fell just a nose shy of the wire late in a very positive performance for conditioner McLaughlin. This two-year-old lass shouldn't be taken lightly next time, especially if she heads to the Golden State. A Look Ahead Saturday will play host to a pair of Grade 3 races on the lawn – the $200,000 Knickerbocker Handicap and the $200,000 Athenia Stakes.
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