BELMONT NOTEBOOK
MAY 29, 2008
by Bernard T. Moore
This year’s Belmont S. (G1) is rapidly approaching, and everyone can hardly
wait to see whether Big Brown (Boundary) will become Thoroughbred racing’s newest Triple
Crown winner. Unfortunately, that may be putting the cart before the horse, as
the Richard Dutrow Jr.-trained three-year-old sensation continues to be plagued
by physical problems. Big Brown, unbeaten and virtually untested in five career
starts, was diagnosed with a quarter-crack injury to his left-front hoof last
Friday. The injury was severe enough to cost him several days of training,
although Big Brown did canter around the Belmont Park main track on Tuesday. Big
Brown, under the watchful eye of Dutrow and celebrated hoof specialist Ian McKinlay, has responded well to treatment as this is being written.
This
ailment is not expected to preclude him from competing in this year’s Belmont,
but should he not be able to participate it would be yet
another devastating blow to racing, a sport that has had its share of image
problems and continues to remain under public scrutiny.
Trainer Christophe Clement has struggled at this year’s Belmont Park
spring/summer meet. That said, you wouldn’t know that was the case from the way
MAURALAKANA (Fr) (Muhtathir [GB]) ran in the Sheepshead Bay H. (G2) on Saturday,
blowing past runners in the stretch en route to a decisive three-length victory.
Settling in sixth position early on while in striking position, Mauralakana
accelerated nicely when given her cue by jockey Kent Desormeaux leaving the far
turn. She sustained her rally into the stretch, which powered her to the lead
passing the eighth pole, and then continued to draw clear to the finish. Herboriste (GB) (Hernando [Fr]), who set the pace from the start, held well once
displaced on the lead by the winner to get second, with Hostess (Chester House)
finishing willingly late to take down the show. J’ray (Distant View), who like
the winner last raced at Calder, stalked the pace to the far turn before
weakening to finish sixth.
Dream Rush (Wild Rush) had not been seen under silks since a disappointing
fifth-place finish in the Breeders’ Cup Filly & Mare Sprint at Monmouth Park last
October. The odds-on favorite in the Vagrancy H. (G2), Dream Rush expected to be
a little rusty off the layoff. And she was. Taking full advantage of her
rustiness was the Richard Dutrow Jr.-trained LOOKY YONDER (Johannesburg), who
closed steadily in the final furlong to win going away by a length. Dream Rush
had amassed a four-length lead passing the eighth pole, but started to get tired,
very late in fact. Despite efforts by jockey Eibar Coa to hold her together in
deep stretch, she was unable to contain the winner’s bid, whose greatest
accomplishment to date had been a victory in an advanced allowance contest. Her
triumph even caught Dutrow by surprise, who said, “I told Garrett (Gomez) in the paddock
to hope for second and plan on that. It worked out better than we hoped.”
Baroness Thatcher (Johannesburg) was a distant and disappointing third as the
2-1 second choice in the betting.
On Memorial Day, DIVINE PARK (Chester House) benefited from a spirited speed
duel between Commentator (Distorted Humor) and First Defence (Unbridled’s Song)
to register a two-length triumph in the Metropolitan H. (G1). Trained by Kiaran
McLaughlin, Divine Park improved his position around the far turn as Commentator
and First Defence continued to trade punches on the front end. Commentator
eventually won the pace-battle but lost the war, putting away First Defence
past midstretch while unable to turn away the late rally of Divine Park, who
edged away in deep stretch. Commentator acquitted himself quite well in defeat,
and was clearly second best, with the late-running Lord Snowdon (Seeking the
Gold) closing belatedly for third. First Defence retreated to finish fifth in a
creditable showing.
The lone running-style bias on the main track appeared on Friday, when
early-speed types dominated the results in all five dirt contests. Both grass
courses were remarkably consistent, playing evenly all week long.
HORSES TO WATCH
Wednesday (5/21)
5TH – REYANA’S JET (A. P. Jet) closed with good energy for second in a race
that finished up well late. The dark bay lass appears best suited vs. statebreds, and/or a
$16,000
claiming contest.
7TH – MOST CHARMING (Lit de Justice) put forth a much-improved effort returning to a
sprint off a layoff. She held well to save the place after chasing a very quick
pace, and should have derived beneficial conditioning from this effort.
Thursday (5/22)
1ST – TRUE REBEL (Yes It’s True) was compromised by a wide trip/modest pace
while facing winners for the first time and did well to nearly take down the
place late. His lone career win came at Belmont Park over a wet surface.
8TH – SLY (Elusive Quality) appears to have found his niche on grass for
new connections. The dark bay gelding exhibited improved tactical speed and then drew clear en route
to a decisive win. He appears capable of handling a middle distance of ground.
Friday (5/23)
1ST – BOMBER D BACK (Tale of the Cat) was a good second returning to a fast surface,
closing well well despite a speed-biased track and modest fractions. The dark
bay remains
eligible to face limited winners.
3RD – RALLYING CRY (War Chant) put forth a creditable third-place finish over real
dirt. The four-year-old closed with interest late to get the show in a useful effort
and has every
right to move forward off this showing.
Saturday (5/24)
3RD – LADY CHACE (Tiznow) continues to race over her head since a daylight
score at Gulfstream Park this winter. She tired in her most recent effort, setting a
pressured pace after a stumbling start, and would obviously benefit from some
much-needed class relief in her next start.
9TH – HOSTESS (Chester House) raced evenly while finishing third off a
layoff, but could not quicken when called upon in a race that finished up well
late. Her last two victories have come at 1 1/2 miles.
Sunday (5/25)
1ST – PREMIUM SALTINE (Salt Lake) carved out a lively
and pressured pace stretching out to seven furlongs. The Philly Park shipper gave way readily shortly
after entering the stretch to finish third. He gives every impression that he is
most effective at six furlongs.
2ND – BOOWOOGEEMALIA (El Corredor) was a facile winner in quick time while making
first start for Dutrow, easily defeating an overmatched field
of state-bred runners. The bay lass can win right back in her next start versus New York-bred
runners.
Monday (5/26)
3RD – ALEXANDROS (Mayakovsky) was clearly second-best stretching out behind
a decisive daylight winner. His lone lifetime win came over a track with moisture
while employing rating tactics.
8TH – CERTIFIABLY ROYAL (Mutakddim) gave ground grudgingly in the stretch
after gaining command around the far turn. He weakened under pressure passing
midstretch, and would probably benefit from a cutback in distance.