December 23, 2024

Belmont Notebook

Last updated: 5/25/11 11:26 AM


BELMONT NOTEBOOK

MAY 26, 2011

by John Mucciolo

A single graded affair highlighted the Saturday card at Belmont Park.

Shuvee H. (G2): E. Paul Robsham Stables’ homebred AWESOME MARIA
(Maria’s Mon) wore down the stubborn pacesetter late to annex this one for
conditioner Todd Pletcher. The streaking four-year-old miss finished off the one
mile on the main strip in a useful 1:35 under Javier Castellano.

Track Stats

A total of 47 races were held over Elmont, New York venue, with favorites
winning at a 32 percent rate and the top two betting choices combining for 57
percent of the wins. From 38 races on the main oval, seven animals won in
wire-to-wire fashion (18 percent), and one runner led at every call on the lawn
from nine races (11 percent).

Just one horse won breaking from post seven or wider from 38 races on the
dirt last week, but a lot of short fields helped contribute to that. We actually
thought the middle of the oval was the place to be most of the week, as many
pressers and stalkers were victorious on the dirt.

We find it hard to gauge how the turf played, with only two days of grass
racing over the weekend.

Meet Totals








RACES:   170
DIRT:   108
TURF:   62
FAVORITES:   62 (36 percent)
2ND CHOICES:   39 (23 percent)
TURF WIRE:   12 (19 percent)
DIRT WIRE:   26 (24 percent)

HORSES TO WATCH

Wednesday (5/18)

2ND — RADIOHEAD (GB) (Johannesburg) only defeated two runners in this one,
but we liked what we saw off he long break in here for Richard Dutrow. The
four-year-old has flashed ability since coming to the states and could have a
very nice summer with improvement.

4TH — While he didn’t set the teletimer on fire and won only an off-the-turf
event, POINT OF ENTRY (Dynaformer) couldn’t have done much more in a resounding
tally for Shug McGaughey, scoring by 15 1/2 lengths in visually impressive
fashion. The well-bred three-year-old could be one to watch this summer,
especially at Saratoga.

8TH — A STORY OF REVENGE (Tale of the Cat) ran a winning race while second
off the long break in her sophomore debut for Michael Trombetta, making a
serious run at the clear leader while finishing more than eight lengths clear of
third. We’ll tab the half-brother to Grade 1 winner I Want Revenge (Stephen Got
Even) for a win very soon.

Saturday (5/21)

2ND — BOLD WARRIOR (Bernardini) returns to this list following an easy score
in here for Allen Jerkens, his second fine race in succession to start his
career. The blue-blooded three-year-old could be any type and is bred to stretch
out.

9TH — HANGOVER KID (Lemon Drop Kid) appreciated the drop back into
state-bred ranks, winning here for trainer Jason Servis. The colt showed
multiple moves in here and rates a chance against winner right back.

Sunday (5/22)

5TH — BATTER UP (Johannesburg) didn’t have the easiest of trips but still
finished a respectable third in this one, and we could see this one getting
better this summer for Chad Brown.

8TH — BEBINN (Bernardini) gave David Fawkes his second smart debut winner in
as many weeks, disputing the pace before inching clear late in a nice win. The
three-year-old didn’t fly home but surely deserves a look if placed properly in
her comebacker.

A Look Ahead

Monday’s $500,000 Met Mile (G1) is the standout race over the Holiday
weekend. The $150,000 Sands Point S. (G2) on Monday and Saturday’s $150,000
Sheepshead Bay S. (G2) will also be contested.