BELMONT PARK NOTEBOOK
MAY 26, 2005
by Bernard T. Moore
Regrettably, there will not be a chance for a Triple Crown winner this year
as Giacomo (Holy Bull) went down in defeat in the Preakness S. (G1) this past
Saturday at Pimlico. In years past, Belmont Park was abuzz as it prepared for
the Belmont S. (G1), and hopefully a chance at making racing history with the
prospect that one runner would finally emerge victorious in all three Triple
Crown events. While that will not occur, at least for the time being, it will be
interesting to see which three-year-olds are left standing to contest the
Belmont S. at the demanding distance of 1 1/2 miles on June 11.
In the meantime, Belmont Park presented the Shuvee H. (G2) for fillies and
mares at a mile as its featured contest on Preakness Day. The race marked the
return of SOCIETY SELECTION (Coronado’s Quest) to New York for Hall of Fame
trainer Allen Jerkens. A slight second choice in the wagering behind Daydreaming
(A.P. Indy), Society Selection closed smartly off a lively pace to engage the
leaders in midstretch. Once drawing alongside those rivals, she began to assert
herself under jockey Eibar Coa, pulling away to a decisive 2 3/4-length victory.
Daydreaming sat a good stalking position down the backstretch prior to
tackling the pacesetters shortly after entering the stretch. However, she was
unable to match strides with the winner, finishing a neck in front of Bohemian
Lady (Carson City) for second. The third-place finisher held well despite vying
for the lead from the outset while stepping up to meet graded rivals once again.
Saintliness (Holy Bull), making her first start at a track other than Aqueduct,
found the sledding a bit rough over a different surface and finished last after
tracking the early pace.
Society Selection, a multiple Grade 1 winner as a three-year-old, annexed her
first graded victory against older rivals on Saturday. She had been winless
since splashing to her way to a 2 1/2-length score in the Alabama S. (G1) last
summer at Saratoga, and should be a force in the handicap division in New York
this year. The Ogden Phipps H. (G1) on June 18th, also at Belmont Park,
looms as a possibility for her next start.
While it could not be considered the most stellar group of runners ever to
contest a graded event in New York, a group of eight older fillies and mares put
on quite show in the Sheepshead Bay H. (G2) at 1 3/8 miles on the turf on
Sunday. Less than three lengths separated the top four finishers, as SAUVAGE
(Fr) (Sri Pekan) found racing room along the inside in the stretch to earn a
hard fought half-length victory at odds of 16-1. She attended the pace
throughout, stalking the front runner toward the inside before scooting through
an opening along the rail in the stretch and then withstood a late charge by
Angara (GB) (Alzao), who was an unlucky second.
The runner-up was full of run while trapped behind rivals, awaiting a seam to
run through in the stretch. After a hole failed to materialize, she was
maneuvered toward the inside by jockey Gary Stevens, split runners in deep
stretch and then closed with a rush when finally clear. Barancella (Fr) (Acatenango)
also made up ground in the stretch, but lacked the necessary response late,
finishing a half-length ahead of the pacesetting Finery (Lear Fan) for third.
Honey Ryder (Lasting Approval), sent off as the 2-1 favorite, ran just behind
the front runner into the stretch and tired to finish fifth.
The was the first graded win in the United States for Sauvage, who seemed to
relish 1 3/8 miles and a rain dampened Belmont Park Widener Turf course under
jockey Javier Castellano. Tentative plans call for her to compete in the New
York H. (G2) at 10 furlongs on July 2.
Speed did well over the main track early in the week, but that bias appeared
to all but disappear as the week wore on. There did not appear to be any
appreciable path biases all week. The turf course played uniformly the entire
week.
Edgar Prado has gained the top spot over Richard Migliore in the jockey
standings. Coa remains in third with Castellano and Norberto Arroyo Jr. tied for
fourth.
Richard Dutrow Jr. has sole possession of first place in the race for leading
trainer, and there is a dead heat for second among Mike Hushion, Dominic
Galluscio and Robert Barbara.
Wednesday (5/18)
2ND – IMPEACHTHEPRO (Distinctive Pro) dropped to the 25K level and scored
after pressing the pace. Taken back after an alert beginning to stalk the leader
prior to drawing clear in the stretch, he can win right back if kept at this
level and distance and is extremely fond of Belmont Park.
8TH – SILVER TRAIN (Old Trieste) raced ‘bottled up’ along the inside in the
stretch attempting to rally in his first start for trainer Dutrow. Lacked racing
room in a race that finished up well late. Is still eligible for a preliminary
allowance contest.
Thursday (5/19)
3RD – EXTRA BEND (Twining) put forth a useful debut effort despite a less
than perfect trip. Whacked the gate at the break and was forced to race a bit
wide vs. a fast early pace, chasing home a daylight odds-on winning favorite.
Hails from a winning family and further progress is likely as the distances
lengthen.
7TH – ELSHAAN (A.P. Indy) was a sharp second off the shelf making his first
start for trainer Kiaran McLaughlin. Held well dictating the pace in his grass
debut at 1 1/4 miles, giving ground grudgingly late. He is s half-brother to
Sakhee, who won the Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe (Fr-G1) and was second in the 2001
Breeders’ Cup Classic (G1) as a four-year-old. Elshaan may have found his niche
on the turf.
Friday (5/20)
2ND – PRIZE ROSE (Helmsman) was a tad short off the claim and returning from
a five-week freshening. Disputed a lively early pace before giving way. Should
have derived beneficial conditioning from this effort and might benefit from a
cutback in distance.
6TH – GIANT WRECKER (Giant’s Causeway) was a good third in turf debut for
Mark Henning. Stalked a loose front runner setting a quick pace before assuming
a clear lead in the stretch, only to weaken a bit late while losing the place.
Saturday (5/21)
1ST – CRAFTY DAHL (Crafty Prospector) put forth an improved third-place
showing making in first start for trainer Tom Bush. Finished with interest in a
race that was fast for the class level.
3RD – NOTHING BUT FUN (Dixie Union) was a good looking first-time starter
from Hushion. Very impressive in well bet/well meant debut. Leveled off suddenly
around the turn, then swept to the front to win going away. Her sire is not
known for his prowess with debut runners, so she may be possess considerable
talent.
9TH – LANDSLIDE (Seattle Slew) stretched out to nine furlongs off a brief
rest and may have been a tad short. Tired slowly in the stretch after stalking
the early fractions. May prefer to sit and make one run.
Sunday (5/22)
4TH – FRIAR (Arch) clearly needed this effort off the layoff. Finished with
interest late, but was no danger to the top two finishers. Should move forward
in subsequent starts.
8TH – ANGARA (GB) (Alzao) was probably best, but she lacked racing room at
strategic points in the race. Finished with a flourish when finally clear, but
the wire came up too quickly.