BELMONT NOTEBOOK
OCTOBER 5, 2005
by Bernard T. Moore
Breeder’s Cup prep races were in abundance across the country this past
weekend, as the World Thoroughbred Championships are now less than four weeks
away. Belmont Park, the site of this year’s Breeder’s Cup, would not be outdone,
carding five such events on Saturday and three more such races Sunday which
possibly could have Breeders’ Cup implications. Lets recap all the action.
In the Jockey Club Gold Cup (G1), BORREGO (El Prado [Ire]), returning to
competition off a determined score in the Pacific Classic (G1) at Del Mar in
August, proved to everyone that his last victory was no fluke with an ultra-impressive
daylight triumph off a layoff. Taking up a position at the back of the pack,
Borrego uncorked a powerful run to blow by the leaders around the far turn, and
then proceeded to distance himself from the pack en route to securing an
insurmountable lead in the stretch.
The race set up nicely for the winner, with
the opening half mile run in a sprightly :46 3/5. When given his cue by jockey
Garret Gomez, Borrego ran past his competition as if they were tied to a post on
the turn, and subsequently drew away from the field in the stretch. He was
actually geared down late to score by 4 1/2 lengths as he crossed the wire.
Suave (A.P. Indy) picked up the pieces to take second, finishing well clear of
Sun King (Charismatic), who passed beleaguered rivals as well. Flower Alley
(Distorted Humor), who was coupled with Bishop Court Hill (Holy Bull) in the
wagering, surprisingly became involved in a speed duel with his entrymate while
rank. That ultimately meant the demise of both runners, as they finished fourth
and eighth respectively.
Saturday’s effort by Borrego earned him a ticket to the Breeders’ Cup Classic
(G1) on October 29. He has now registered back-to-back, seven-figure Grade 1
events, and is one of the early favorites for the Classic.
In the Joe Hirsch Turf Invitational S. (G1), SHAKESPEARE (Theatrical [Ire])
was not as visually impressive as Borrego in victory. However, the unbeaten
four-year-old demonstrated he belongs amongst the elite on grass, displaying
both grit and determination to post a courageous head victory to annex his
initial Grade 1 event. The 4-5 favorite in the race under jockey Jerry Bailey,
he endured through a wide trip vs. a deliberate pace. The Bill Mott-trained
runner was resolute in his rally in the stretch, outgaming a resolute English
Channel (Smart Strike), who was making his first start against older runners.
The runner-up was an unfortunate loser to be sure, but the fact that he was able
to dispense such a sharp effort against a quality field bodes well for him in
the future. Ace (Ire) (Danehill) forced the early pace and secured a tenuous
lead in the stretch, but could not match strides with the top two finishers in
deep stretch and had to settle for third.
The Breeders’ Cup Distaff (G1) champion of last year entered the starting
gate for the Beldame S. (G1) on Saturday, and everyone speculated as to which
ASHADO (Saint Ballado) would show up. A 14 3/4-length drubbing at the Spa in August
was still fresh in everyone’s mind, and whether Ashado could bounce back from
that sub par performance remained in doubt. After Ashado shot from the gate to
take the early lead, it became apparent she came to run on this day. The Todd
Pletcher-trained runner dueled Dream of Summer (Siberian Summer) into defeat,
putting her head in front at the three-quarter mile mark. With regular rider
John Velazquez at the controls, the duo now braced themselves for a rally from
subsequent third-place finisher Society Selection (Coronado’s Quest). Ashado was
well within herself as she brushed away that challenge to assume a two-length
advantage in early stretch.
Happy Ticket (Anet) took a last gasp effort at the
champion, and was reducing her deficit in the final furlong, but the wire came
too quickly and she had to settle for second. Sweet Symphony (A.P. Indy), a
close second choice in the wagering, was a major disappointment. The previously
unbeaten runner was merely a shell of her former self in Beldame, and raced
one-paced throughout and finished fourth.
One of the more contentious races at Belmont Park on Saturday was the
Vosburgh S. (G1) at six furlongs. And, it actually played out that way, as TASTE
OF PARADISE (Conquistador Cielo) came roaring down the middle of the track to
score as the rank outsider in the 10-horse field. Dispatched at odds of 26-1,
Taste of Paradise relaxed off a lively pace before commencing his rally on the
turn. He was forced to weave his way between runners in the stretch and leveled
off nicely once angled to the outside, blowing by the leaders to win drawing
clear by two lengths. Tiger Heart (Scatmandu) displaced the pacesetting Uncle
Camie (Abaginone) in the stretch to assume command, but had no response for the
winner but still managed to save the place. Lion Tamer (Will’s Way) closed best
of all to finish third, beaten a mere neck for the runner-up spot off a layoff.
RISKAVERSE (Dynaformer), who had not visited the winner’s circle since a game
victory in last year’s Flower Bowl Invitational S. (G1), emulated that effort to
score a dramatic head victory in this year’s renewal of the race. Trained by Pat
Kelly, Riskaverse was floated wide around the first turn, but immediately was
guided to the hedge under jockey Jose Santos down the backstretch. She remained
along the inside into the stretch, and was then forced to steady when was placed
in tight quarters. Suffering through a rather forgettable 2005 campaign until
this point, the homebred Fox Ridge Farm runner split rivals to gain the lead in
the final yards and then held gamely to withstand the late rally of Wonder Again
(Silver Hawk) by a head. The consistent and sometimes unlucky Film Maker
(Dynaformer) closed belatedly to gain third, as the pacesetting Sand Springs
(Dynaformer) tired slowly late and finished fourth. Melhor Ainda (Pulpit), the
8-5 favorite, made a failed run for the lead at the top of stretch, and then
dropped back to report home seventh.
Three additional prep races for the Breeders’ Cup were run on Sunday with the
Kelso Breeders’ Cup H. (G2) taking center stage. Artie Schiller (El Prado [Ire])
was a deserving 6-5 favorite, but he just failed to nail down the win as he was
outfinished by FUNFAIR (GB) (Singspiel [Ire]) in the final yards. Trained by Graham
Motion, Funfair was given an astute ride by jockey Edgar Prado, saving valuable
ground while sitting behind a lively pace. A rail skimming ride in the stretch
was the difference between victory and defeat as the six-year-old gelding was
able to save ground and thus prevail by a head.
Artie Schiller did everything
right but win. Returning from a two-month layoff, he stalked a lively pace
throughout. He was able to overtake the front runner in deep stretch, but his
early exploits in combination with the layoff led to his heartbreaking head
defeat. Keep the Faith (Aus) (Sunday Silence) set the early pace and gave ground
grudgingly in the stretch to finish third in a much improved effort. Silver Tree
(Hennessy) the 9-2 second choice in the wagering, chased the early pace to the
far turn, but began dropping back shortly thereafter and finished a
disappointing eighth.
As we all know, early speed in Thoroughbred racing is dangerous. In juvenile
contests, it is can be downright deadly. In both two-year-old stakes contests,
early speed types got money each time, securing the front by the time they
reached the half-mile mark.
In the Cowdin S., HE’S GOT GRIT (Songandaprayer), despite a stumbling a bit
shortly after the start, was then hustled to the lead by Bailey from his
inside post. He proceeded to run the rest of the field off their feet with early
splits of :21.92 and :44.92. By the time He’s Got Grit arrived at the eighth-pole,
he had amassed an insurmountable six-length lead, and remained well clear of the
runner-up, Dr. Pleasure (Thunder Gulch), at the finish. The second-place finisher
was far from disgraced in defeat, running creditably to get second money in his
initial start against winners. Jimmy’s Pride (Snuck In) closed belatedly to
finish a non-threatening third.
The Astarita S. (G3), a race for two-year-old fillies at 6 1/2 furlongs, also
produced a favorable result for the chalk players when SENSATION (Dixie Union)
dominated her to competition to win 5 1/2 lengths. Trained by Stanley Hough and
ridden by Eibar Coa, she dueled the early pacesetter into defeat by the time a
half-mile had been completed. She proceeded to widen her advantage in the
stretch, and continued on gamely to win an impressive effort. Swap Fliparoo
(Exchange Rate) outran his 12-1 post-time odds, closing well to finish second,
while well clear of Unobstructed View (Yes It’s True) who ran third as a close
second-favorite in the betting. The Pletcher-conditioned runner shadowed the
front runners down the backstretch, but lacked the necessary response to improve
her position when called upon.
Prado has once again regained the top spot in jockey standings last week with
Velazquez moving into second-place. Bailey fell back to third in the standings
with Coa and Cornelio Velasquez remaining in a tie for fourth.
Mott continues to lead all trainers with Pletcher just two victories behind
in second. Bruce Levine dropped back into third with Richard Dutrow Jr. and Gary
Contessa completing the top five.
The main track seemed to play quite fairly to begin the week. Speed seemed to
be somewhat advantaged on Thursday and Friday, but the course appeared to return
to normal over the weekend.
Both turf courses seemed quite uniform the entire week.
There did not appear to be any discernible path biases all week.
HORSES TO WATCH
Wednesday (9/28)
6TH – OPRAH WINNEY (Royal Academy) was a creditable third place finish in her
first start for Dutrow. Disputed a very hot pace with the subsequent winner who
simply “freaked” in an extremely fast race for the class level at the distance.
Would benefit from a cutback to a shorter sprint in second start off the layoff.
9TH – LITTLE GIRLFRIEND (Giant’s Causeway) finished with good energy to just
miss the place in her turf debut. Trailed the field early on and improved her
position in a race that finished up well late. Has a pedigree to run all day and
should improve with age and experience.
Thursday (9/29)
1ST – JAZZ SOCIETY (Carson City) was a strong second off a layoff with the
hood removed. Held well attending the pace throughout and saved the place late.
May need time to recover from this sharp effort. Has dangerous speed vs. maiden
claimers.
4TH – TRICK MEETING (Phone Trick) was an encouraging third in her well bet
debut. Closed with good energy to nearly finish second over a speed favoring
course as the race quickened late. Bred for a sprint and to win early in her
career.
Friday (9/30)
4TH – BERNIE WHITE SHOES (Hennessy) showed a good effort in his first career
start. Finished with interest in a swiftly run abbreviated sprint. Should move
forward off this race and be much fitter in his next start.
9TH – HARD IRON (Regal Classic) comes off a much improved effort making his
second start with Lasix. Closed well to grab the place while racing a bit wide
and was well clear of the third-place finisher.
Saturday (10/1)
2ND – ABSOLUTE RETURN (Carson City) was clearly was not disgraced in his well
bet debut effort. Chased a lively pace to the far turn before dropping back.
Should have derived useful conditioning and experience from this effort. Bred
for a sprint and to win early in his career.
7TH – SOCIETY SELECTION (Coronado’s Quest) continues to run well vs. Grade 1
company, while appearing to be a tad overmatched. Good third despite being asked
for run much sooner than usual. Closed with good energy in a race that finished
up well late. Would definitely benefit from some class relief.
Sunday (10/2)
2ND – MOTOR CITY MAMA (City Zip) had a decisive win despite a troubled
beginning switching to Belmont Park. Overcame a stumbling start to stalk a fast
pace and drew clear when ready. Should be able to handle a preliminary allowance
field in her next effort.
5TH – INDA (A.P. Indy) was a sharp second in her career debut. Lacked early
speed while racing towards the back of the pack. Found her best stride around
the far turn and continued on with good energy late in a swiftly run race. Bred
to improve with age and experience. Shug McGaughey’s runners can showed marked
improvement with a race under their belt.
9TH – Artie Schiller was a tough luck second off the shelf. Chased a loose
speed setting a lively pace. Eventually reeled in that rival in the stretch,
only to be overhauled by a fresh closer. Loves Belmont grass in addition to
rating before being asked for his run.