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BELMONT NOTEBOOK JULY 10, 2015 by John Mucciolo Six outstanding graded races were held at Belmont Park. Belmont Oaks (G1): Sheep Pond Partners' LADY ELI (Divine Park) swept outside in early stretch and delivered a punishing late run to dominate her foes by 2 3/4 lengths. The Chad Brown pupil, who is unbeaten from six starts, clocked 1 1/4 miles on the firm turf course in a superb 1:59 1/5 with Irad Ortiz Jr. along for the ride. Belmont Derby (G1): Richard Santulli's FORCE THE PASS (Speightstown) swept to the front with a big move entering the lane and never gave his foes a chance, securing a decisive 3 3/4-length score with Joe Rosario in the silks. The rising colt traveled the 10 panels on the firm turf oval in 2:01 for trainer Alan Goldberg. Suburban H. (G2): Tri-Bone Stables' EFFINEX (Mineshaft) put in a bid in early stretch and and gamely held off multiple Grade 1-winning Belmont specialist Tonalist (Tapit) late en route to a head victory for conditioner James Jerkens. The four-year-old Empire State-bred got 1 1/4 miles on the fast main strip in 2:01 2/5 with Junior Alvarado. Dwyer S. (G2): WinStar Farm's homebred SPEIGHTSTER (Speightstown) tracked in second, wrangled a minor edge at the top of the lane and finished with good energy to post a 2 1/2-length tally beneath Jose Lezcano. The well-bred sophomore colt negotiated one mile on the fast main strip in 1:35 for trainer Bill Mott. Belmont Sprint Championship (G3): Good Friends Stable's PRIVATE ZONE (Macho Uno) took command a few jumps out of the gate and was never in danger, recording a 3 1/4-length victory under the guidance of Martin Pedroza. The six-year-old gelding finished off seven panels on the fast main oval in 1:22 2/5 for trainer Jorge Navarro. Victory Ride S. (G3): Trainer Derek Ryan's IRISH JASPER (First Defence) was last early, began to pick up momentum approaching the turn for home and then put in a huge late burst to bag this one going away by three lengths. The sophomore miss got 6 1/2 panels on the fast main oval in 1:16 3/5 with Javier Castellano. Track Stats A total of 47 races were held at the Elmont, New York venue, with favorites winning at a 45 percent rate and the top two betting choices combining for 62 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 six of the 24 grassy races were taken all the way on the lead (25 percent). Speed was not a big edge on the dirt this week but with so many favorites coming in, we can't say the oval was overly biased. It seemed best to be tracking the pace a few lengths off the rail, though, in our view. Five of the six wire jobs on the turf came in route events, with just one occurring in a sprint. Meet Totals
HORSES TO WATCH Thursday (7/2) 5TH -- HINT OF SARCASM (Justenuffhumor) had no chance in the latter stages behind a sharp winner but the first timer still ran well and should be graduating with slight improvement. 6TH -- CAPRIANA (Street Boss) took a short lead in early stretch and poured it on late in a powerful 10 1/4-length allowance score for conditioner Todd Pletcher. The three-year-old filly is now unbeaten from a pair of lifetime runs and could evolve into any kind. Friday (7/3) 5TH -- SWEAR BY IT (Broken Vow) made it two straight to kickstart her career and looks to be of stakes quality for trainer Chad Brown. The four-year-old filly rated behind dawdling splits, but still overpowered the field late and we like her going forward. 7TH -- SHORE RUNNER (More Than Ready) ran off to a big win in this turf dash and should be stakes bound in the very near future. The Joe Sharp claim dons a solid 7-3-3-0 lifetime mark on the lawn and should likely stay on the surface for the time being. 9TH -- BOLD PRINT (Read the Footnotes) took a short lead approaching the turn for home and held off the odds-on choice in the lane, inching away to a decisive tally for trainer Gary Sciacca. Tab the New York-bred to be a major player next time out. Saturday (7/4) 1ST -- PAYNES PRAIRIE (Tale of Ekati) took over readily at the top of the lane and strode home a facile winner in this maiden dash for trainer Steve Asmussen. The juvenile colt has run huge in two straight and could be a big player in the stakes ranks this summer. 4TH -- MATROOH (Distorted Humor) made it two in succession, and three-of-four overall, since coming to the states and conditioner Chad Brown. The five-year-old gelding is another who is likely heading for a graded stakes next time out. 7TH -- TEXAS RED (Afleet Alex) was a clear second in his first run since February and the Grade 1-winning Keith Desormeaux charge should be all set for a big run next time with this one under his belt. Sunday (7/5) 6TH -- POINT ROLL (Point Given) showed no signs of rust in his first run in more than 11 months in taking this group all the way on the front end for trainer Christophe Clement. The five-year-old gelding flashed some ability last campaign and could be set for a useful second half of the season with expected improvement. A Look Ahead There is no graded racing on tap at Belmont this week.
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