BELMONT NOTEBOOK
OCTOBER 12, 2005
by Bernard T. Moore
The steady stream of Breeder’s Cup prep races continued last weekend at
Belmont Park as the big day inches closer. Trainers, hoping to get their horses
to peak in the World Thoroughbred Championships, continually use these contests
to put the finishing touches on their preparation, with the hope that their
prized pupils will be at their absolute best for racing’s richest day.
On paper, the outcome of the Champagne S. (G1) appeared to be a replay of the
Hopeful S. (G1) at Saratoga in August, with FIRST SAMURAI (Giant’s Causeway)
taking the measure of Henny Hughes (Hennessy) once again. And, as it turns out,
it played out exactly that way on the racetrack with First Samurai edging away
from Henny Hughes in the stretch to win by 2 3/4 lengths.
The winner, trained by
Frank Brothers, dropped back after an alert beginning. He then split horses to
reach a contending position down the backstretch as the eventual runner-up
tracked the hot pace carved out by Too Much Bling (Rubiano), who added blinkers
for this contest. With the six furlongs completed in an extremely quick 1:08.75
over the glib surface, Too Much Bling was the first to throw in the towel as
Henny Hughes assumed the lead with First Samurai just to his outside. The pair
quickly distanced themselves from the field upon entering the stretch, with
First Samurai going a bit better of the two in the final sixteenth of a mile to
keep his unblemished record intact. Henny Hughes had to be satisfied with second
money, finishing about what seemed to be a furlong ahead of Superfly (Fusaichi
Pegasus) who outlasted the others for the show. Too Much Bling gave way badly
over the sloppy track to finish a well-beaten fifth.
First Samurai was extremely professional in victory, failing to exhibit any
tendencies to lug in which had been so prevalent in his prior victories. This
triumph stamps him as the clear cut favorite for the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile
(G1), which he is sure to compete in with the provision that he comes out of the
Champagne in good order.
ADIEU (El Corredor), the lone graded stakes winner in the Frizette S. (G1),
demonstrated her superiority in the stretch, repelling the strong rally of Along
the Sea (Anees) to score by two lengths. She was hustled away from the gate from
her rail post to dispute the pace down the backstretch. After disposing of the
other speed on the far turn, she was able to withstand a late rally from the
runner-up in midstretch and proceeded to draw clear once again at the finish as
she was ridden to perfection by jockey John Velazquez. Along The Sea, who was a
distant second to Folklore in the Matron S. (G1), flattered that rivals’ victory
with such a strong outing on Saturday. Keeneland Kat (Hennessy) loomed a
dangerous presence while improving her position on the turn and into the
stretch, but failed to sustain her rally and finished third.
Belmont Park was deluged with rain from Friday night into Saturday, and as a
result, the Jamaica H. (G3), originally intended for grass, was transferred to a
sloppy main track. WATCHMON (Maria’s Mon) took full advantage of the switch in
surfaces to outfinish Crown Point (Honor Grades) by 1 3/4 lengths. This was the
first graded stakes success for the winner, who has come to hand nicely since
returning to the races off his debacle in the Belmont S. (G1). Woodlander
(Forestry) set a modest pace on the front and tired badly once displaced on the
lead.
Sunday’s main event at Belmont Park was the Gallant Bloom H. (G2) for fillies
and mares three-years-old and up sprinting 6 1/2 furlongs. On Saturday,
favorites ruled supreme in all three stakes contests. That would not be the case
in the Gallant Bloom as UMPATEEDLE (Suave Prospect) outgamed the even-money
favorite, Smokey Glacken (Forestry), by a nose in a stirring stretch battle to
eke out a victory at odds of 10-1.
Both runners were prominent from the start
with Smokey Glacken going a little better early on to assume the early lead. The
winner, ridden by jockey Aaron Gryder, moved in earnest to challenge the
pacesetter leaving the far turn, and they raced heads apart at the eighth-pole.
There was little to chose between the two rivals in deep stretch with Umpateedle
reaching to wire first to win by a scant nose. Travelator (A. P Jet) finished
with good energy to claim the show in a creditable effort, beaten 2 1/2 lengths
under less than ideal circumstances. The third-place finisher lacked racing room
behind ordinary fractions down the backstretch. And, once she was able to secure
clear sailing in the stretch, was not able to muster the necessary rally to make
an impact as the pace quickened.
The Pebbles, a race for three-year-old fillies at a flat mile, originally
scheduled for the Widener Turf course, was yet another grass race that was
washed to the main track. CAYUGA’S WATERS (Langfuhr) was bet down to 7-5
favoritism in the field primarily because of her excellent wet track record,
sporting two wins and a second-place finish from just three starts over wet
surfaces. This time the favorite did not disappoint as Cayuga’s Waters held on
in deep stretch under jockey Jerry Bailey to come out on top by a neck.
Trained
by Bill Mott, the New York-bred rated nicely on the front end under Bailey, and
as a result, was able to withstand the late rally of Wait It Out (Swain), who
was cutting into her deficit with each and every stride. Quail Run (Wagon
Limit), with just a maiden special weight score to her credit, finished evenly
for third. A major disappoint in the Pebbles was Ready’s Gal (More Than Ready).
The Todd Pletcher-trained sophomore placed in the Frizette over the Belmont Park
main track last fall, but barely picked up her feet off a layoff. It should be
noted that both of her victories in 2005 have come on grass.
Edgar Prado remains atop the jockey standings, with Velazquez holding onto
second-place. Bailey, Eibar Coa and Javier Castellano complete the top five.
Mott leads Pletcher by just a single victory in the race for leading trainer.
Richard Dutrow Jr., Bruce Levine and Gary Contessa are tied for the third spot
on the list.
The main track played quite fairly when racing resumed on Wednesday. It
remained that way until Saturday, when the rains came. From that point on, speed
runners dominated the results in both sprints and routes.
There was no pronounced bias on either turf course when in use.
There did not appear to be any distinguishable path bias all week.
HORSES TO WATCH
Wednesday (10/5)
8TH – DEPUTY INDY (A.P. Indy) was a good second switching back to dirt.
Showed much improved to speed to stalk the early pace and continued on well in
the stretch. Might benefit from a cutback in distance as he won his career debut
at seven furlongs.
Thursday (10/6)
4TH – ABBE’S CHESTNUT (Horse Chestnut [SAf]) was a good second dropping off a
layoff. Responded well to rating tactics and finished with good energy late to
be 2nd best. Fits well at his current class level.
6TH – KRUNCHER (Siphon) showed a dramatic turnaround switching back to grass.
Recaptured his early speed to dispute the winner’s pace around the far turn but
weakened under pressure. Has room to improve off this effort.
Friday (10/7)
1ST – PROSPEROUS QUEEN (Fortunate Prospect) displayed dramatic form reversal
tackling older rivals. Held gamely vying for the lead to finish second vs. an
older, more accomplished odds-on winner who adores Belmont Park. Look for a
return effort against straight three-year-olds.
2ND – QUICK WITTED (Distorted Humor) was clearly a tad short in his well bet
unveiling. Disputed the pace to the stretch before tiring. Bred to win early in
his career.
Saturday (10/8)
3RD – MORE HECK (Mt. Livermore) continues to perform well despite racing a
bit over his head. Stepped up to the 25K level and was a heart-breaking second
after disputing the pace throughout. Would obviously benefit from a little class
relief.
9TH – Too Much Bling set an excruciatingly hot and pressured pace with the
addition of blinkers. Held well to the far turn before retreating. Remains
eligible for a preliminary allowance contest and appears to have distance
limitations.
Sunday (10/9)
6TH – NOTHING BUT K’S (Flame Thrower) finished a creditable second in his
well bet career debut. Stalked the early pace but proved no match in the stretch
to a Nick Zito trained firster who “freaked.” Should improve with experience and
more distance.
8TH – Travelator came home a strong third tackling open company rivals in a
Grade 2 stakes. Hindered by a bit of a slow start. Pinned along the inside
stalking a slow pace down the backstretch. Failed to muster the necessary rally
when the race quickened late. Needs only clear sailing and a better pace
scenario to get back on the winning track.
Monday (10/10)
4TH – PRETTY PROUD (Mr. Greeley) had a useful effort in her well bet debut.
Raced wide but closed with good energy against the grain of a speed biased
track. Appears to want more distance.
8TH – Quail Run was an even third tackling winners for the first time. Chased
a fast pace and finished with interest over the main track. Well suited to a
preliminary allowance field on either turf or dirt.