BELMONT REPORT
MAY 22, 2009
by James Scully
The field for the 141st running of the Belmont S. (G1) is beginning to take
shape, and there doesn’t appear to be much speed among the possible starters. As
of Wednesday, the 11 potential runners are RACHEL ALEXANDRA (Medaglia d’Oro),
MINE THAT BIRD (Birdstone), CHARITABLE MAN (Lemon Drop Kid), CHOCOLATE CANDY
(Candy Ride [Arg]), DUNKIRK (Unbridled’s Song), FLYING PRIVATE (Fusaichi
Pegasus), SUMMER BIRD (Birdstone), MR. HOT STUFF (Tiznow), MINER’S ESCAPE
(Mineshaft), BRAVE VICTORY (Lion Heart) and LUV GOV (Ten Most Wanted).
Rachel Alexandra will bring speed to the mix if she enters, and Charitable
Man is probably the only member of the field capable of running with her early.
The Virginia-bred colt will enter the 1 1/2-mile event in strong form, capturing
the May 9 Peter Pan S. (G2) by 3 3/4 lengths, and loves the 1 1/2-mile oval
known affectionately as “Big Sandy,” impressively garnering the Futurity S. (G2)
last September.
Rachel Alexandra and Mine That Bird boast the top credentials (Charitable Man
shows a career-best 103 BRIS Speed rating while Rachel Alexandra and Mine That
Bird have each posted at least a 110 figure), but their recent exploits could
leave them vulnerable against a talented up-and-comer like Charitable Man, who
has the breeding to handle the 12-furlong trip — sire Lemon Drop Kid captured
the 1999 Belmont — as well as strong connections. Trainer Kiaran McLaughlin won
the 2006 Belmont with Jazil.
Kentucky Derby (G1) runners Dunkirk, Chocolate Candy, Summer Bird and Mr. Hot
Stuff will enter the Belmont off a five-week freshening. Dunkirk was the 5-1
second choice at Churchill Downs, but he never got uncorked after stumbling at
the start and being forced to steady multiple times approaching the clubhouse
turn, eventually finishing 11th. The gray colt displayed a world of talent
earlier this year at Gulfstream, recording two sharp victories prior to an
impressive second in the Florida Derby (G1), and trainer Todd Pletcher, who is
winless in the Derby and Preakness (G1), does own a victory in the “Test of
Champions,” saddling the filly Rags to Riches to an historic victory over Curlin
in the 2007 edition.
Dunkirk is a serious bounce-back candidate at Belmont Park, but his late
running style is a potential drawback. That’s also a concern for Chocolate
Candy. The Jerry Hollendorfer pupil offered a solid run for fifth on Derby Day,
and he showed a lot of class on synthetic tracks earlier this year, winning a
Grade 3 and finishing second in the Santa Anita Derby (G1). Summer Bird and Mr.
Hot Stuff are two more closers.
Flying Private rebounded from his last-place finish in the Derby with a
career-best fourth in the Preakness, but I have to wonder how much the D. Wayne
Lukas trainee has left in the tank following two grueling performances. The
remaining runners — Miner’s Escape, Brave Victory and Luv Gov — will all have
major class concerns in the final leg of the Triple Crown.
Rachel’s Place — Is Rachel Alexandra the best distaffer of modern
times? Is she even the best filly or mare in training? Breeders’ Cup Ladies’
Classic (G1) winner and champion mare ZENYATTA (Street Cry [Ire]), who is
unbeaten in nine career starts so far, has her supporters.
No filly has ever won two legs of the Triple Crown, and only two fillies
(Winning Colors and Genuine Risk) have even attempted a double in the last 75
years. Rachel Alexandra is in excellent company right now, but one can argue
that her legacy remains at stake. Her connections have one question to answer in
that regard: Do they want her to be like Rags to Riches, Winning Colors and
Genuine Risk, or do they give her the opportunity to become the most
accomplished filly in Triple Crown history?
Jess Jackson faces a tough choice, and he’ll be vilified if he enters the
filly and she loses. There’s a chorus of fear from turf writers —
they’re scared something bad will happen and don’t want to see her run. But
the same people are portraying her as if she’s simply a top-class filly, not something
extraordinary. In my opinion, Rachel Alexandra is a special horse capable of
amazing feats. And that’s a common trait among the great ones.
Jockey History — No active rider in Thoroughbred racing can claim at
least one victory in all three Triple Crown races, but a couple of jockeys will
be looking to join the exclusive club in 2009. They used to be commonly found at
major tracks — Jerry Bailey, Steve Cauthen, Angel Cordero, Jean Cruget, Pat
Day, Eddie Delahoussaye, Chris McCarron, Gary Stevens and Ron Turcotte all did
it within the last 40 years — but Jose Santos left a void when he retired a few
years back.
Calvin Borel, who is going for his own personal Triple Crown this year, is
well-positioned to reach the milestone with either Rachel Alexandra or Mine That
Bird. Derby and Preakness winner Kent Desormeaux, who came up short with Big
Brown last year, also figures to secure a mount on June 6.
Mike Smith needs only a Belmont victory to elevate his status in the history
books, but he gave up a viable opportunity aboard Mine That Bird in order to
pursue a turf race in California on June 6. Victor Espinoza, Stewart Elliott and
Jeremy Rose are the other current jockeys with victories in two legs of the
Triple Crown.