BELMONT PARK NOTEBOOK
OCTOBER 2, 2009
by Albie Johnson
Only a single graded stakes was run here last week, the Gallant Bloom H. (G2),
but it was one of the most exciting of the year. The contest pitted two-time
champion INDIAN BLESSING (Indian Charlie), winner of this race last year,
against Sara
Louise (Malibu Moon), who had won her seasonal debut at Saratoga in the Victory
Ride S. (G3). Sara Louise is better known for being the last horse to defeat Rachel
Alexandra (Medaglia d’Oro), doing so in the Pocahontas S. (G3) last fall at Churchill Downs.
Any Limit (Limit Out) set a solid opening quarter in the Gallant Bloom, with both Indian
Blessing and Sara Louise in close attendance. The champ split horses to take
command while her sophomore challenger went three wide
at the same moment. The pair hooked-up just past the eighth-pole and a
furious stretch battle commenced, with Indian Blessing keeping her head in front
on the wire. The four-year-old filly showed a lot of grit and determination when it appeared that her younger
rival would go by her in midstretch. A nice ride by John Velazquez may have made
the difference.
Trainer Bob Baffert had pointed toward this race and the
Breeders’ Cup Filly & Mare Sprint (G1) as her final two starts before her retirement.
On Friday, a fine field of seven sprinters went to the post in the Spooky Mulder
S. run at a distance of six furlongs. RAVALO (Mutakddim), who
has raced just about anywhere that offers a sprint stakes, had a perfect trip
here, saving ground early while chasing the pace of Songster (Songandaprayer).
Ravalo swung out before the stretch and drew off to an easy 3 1/2-length win,
stopping the timer in a sharp 1:08 4/5.
Cleveland Johnson trains the winner and John Velazquez had a pretty easy time
of it atop this Grade 3 victor.
On Sunday, over a surface labeled sloppy, conditioner Todd Pletcher unveiled a good-looking
juvenile filly in FEMALE DRAMA (Indian Charlie). She had been training very
sharply here at Belmont during the six weeks of the Saratoga meet, and this 6
1/2-furlong contest was over early as she sprinted clear in the first two furlongs.
After putting away a brief challenge midway on the turn, she drew off to win
by a final margin of three lengths. Pletcher may give her one more before getting
ready for next season.
TRACK STATS
The first four racing days last week saw fast and firm conditions. However
that changed on Sunday to sloppy and sealed for the main track, with no racing
on turf.
The turf and dirt played fairly until Sunday, when outside paths had a
distinct advantage over the off going.
HORSES TO WATCH
Wednesday (9/23)
5TH — Making only his third lifetime start, the Paulo Lobo-trained SOUTHERN HERO (Brz)
(Northern Afleet) broke slowly from an outside post and
made a strong middle move on the worst part of the turf course before flattening
out late to finish fourth. He may appreciate 1 1/8 miles on the grass here
with the big sweeping turns.
8TH — A pair of Godolphin-owned runners — FATEH FIELD (Distorted Humor) and
IGUAZU FALLS (Pivotal) — ran 2-3 in this spot, with the latter setting the
pace before weakening slightly while the former had some serious traffic issues
before just failing to get up. They’ve had similar careers, racing in England before heading to the United Arab Emirates and
now coming to the states. Neither should be long in finding a winning spot.
Thursday (9/24)
3RD — MY DINAH (Victory Gallop) ran gallantly in defeat as she battled heavy favorite and eventual winner Weathered (Key Contender) for the last
four
furlongs of this 1 1/16-mile overnight stakes and came up a half-length shy on the
wire.
8TH — After winning a pair of starts at Saratoga, AFRIKANER (Johannesburg)
was an unlucky second here as he was forced five wide on the turn while launching
a strong rally and just failed to catch the wire-to-wire winner. State-bred has
enough talent to beat open foes at this level.
Friday (9/25)
4TH — First-time starter DEANAALLEN’SKITTEN (Kitten’s Joy) was hard held at
the back of the pack in this 1 1/16-mile maiden turf contest, launched a strong
four-wide move half-way through the turn to reach contention and weakened
slightly in the last eighth to finish third in a race won by her
entrymate. Nice debut run.
9TH — Some runners always seem to attract trouble and WILD AWAKE (Judge T
C) certainly fits that category. In this spot she had to check half-way through
the far turn and also raced in heavy traffic from that point onward, only getting a
clear path late to rally for the show. The dark bay filly has now had severe problems in half
of her eight lifetime starts. Try her again next out.
Saturday (9/26)
2ND — A pair of maidens here both had trouble. Making his debut, FLYING
VALENTINE (Lion Heart) broke poorly, rushed up into the pace and held gamely for
the place spot to a much-the-best winner. JOE D (Thunder Gulch) had good position and appeared to have some run when he
took a bad step and stumbled, costing him all chance. He finished the race
and came back to be unsaddled. Would like to seem him re-entered within the next
four weeks.
Sunday (9/27)
1ST — SIMPLIFY (Pulpit) found herself with no other choice other than to
try and rally up the inside on a sloppy and sealed surface, but she had a
trio of runners to her outside to contend with. The sophomore filly finished an
even fourth,
and as the day went along her rail path turned out to be the one to avoid. Next
time.
5TH — Heavily bet at the windows, A PLUS (Smarty Jones) broke slowly,
mounted a strong rally while wide and leveled off late to finish third
to Female Drama, who we mentioned earlier. This one has talent and should win
next out.
UPCOMING STAKES
This weekend offers a plethora of graded events. Coming on Saturday is the Jockey Club Gold Cup (G1),
Joe Hirsch Turf Classic (G1), Beldame (G1), Flower Bowl (G1) and Vosburgh (G1).
Sunday will feature the Kelso (G2), Pilgrim (G3) and Miss Grillo (G3).
Have a nice week!