BELMONT NOTEBOOK
MAY 19, 2011
by John Mucciolo
A Grade 2 prep for Belmont S. (G1) hopefuls highlighted the Saturday card at
Belmont Park.
Peter Pan S. (G2): Pin Oak Stable’s homebred ALTERNATION (Distorted
Humor) made a long run while wide to gun down the favorite in the closing yards
en route to his first graded win. The Donnie Von Hemel pupil completed the 1
1/8-mile feature in 1:49 2/5 under Ramon Dominguez.
Track Stats
A total of 47 races were held over Elmont, New York venue, with favorites
winning at a 36 percent rate and the top two betting choices combining for 64
percent of the wins. From 22 races on the main oval, six animals won in
wire-to-wire fashion (27 percent), and five runners led at every call on the
lawn from 25 races (20 percent).
Wednesday saw three wire-to-wire winners and Thursday had two more, but just
one more dirt winner led at every call during the week over 14 races. The main
track also saw 16 of 22 first-place finishers break from the innermost three
post positions. Just a pair broke from outside of post six, but much of that is
due to small field sizes.
Both turf ovals were surely playing to closing types all week, except for
Sunday when four winners led all the way on the lawn from five events — two on
each turf oval. We consider that to be a strange occurrence.
Meet Totals
| RACES: | 123 | |
| DIRT: | 70 | |
| TURF: | 53 | |
| FAVORITES: | 47 (38 percent) | |
| 2ND CHOICES: | 27 (22 percent) | |
| TURF WIRE: | 11 (21 percent) | |
| DIRT WIRE: | 19 (27 percent) |
HORSES TO WATCH
Wednesday (5/11)
1ST — Trainer Christophe Clement picked up where he left off last week with
a win in the day’s opener via MR. RYDER (Giant’s Causeway). The well-bred
four-year-old colt closed into a very slow pace to get the job done under Joe
Bravo.
3RD — FRUED’S HONOR (Freud) was a clear second behind a 1-5 winner in this
test, but it was a fine try for the sophomore colt in his seasonal debut. The
Gregory Sacco pupil will be ultra-tough next out.
8TH — TRAPPE SHOT (Tapit) made a very nice return to the races with a gritty
tally in this one for trainer Kiaran McLaughlin. The Grade 1-placed stakes
winner wore down a legitimate runner with a recency edge at a distance less than
his best. The colt could be a major player in the Metropolitan H. (G1) in a few
weeks.
Friday (5/13)
3RD — STREAKER (Forest Wildcat) made a nice return to the races for Shug
McGaughey, powering home a sharp allowance winner in her first since last
summer. The once-beaten four-year-old promises to be a factor in the graded
events this summer.
8TH — The talented MUCH REJOICING (Distorted Humor) may have found her niche
sprinting on the lawn in posting a convincing tally in this turf dash for Jimmy
Toner. The four-year-old filly came home with excellent energy in polishing off
her final two panels in a swift :22 4/5.
Saturday (5/14)
8TH — The consistent GIMME CREDIT (Artax) exuded class in here in rolling to
a 3 3/4-length romp on this day for Chad Brown. The stakes winner now goes to
the Galluscio barn, and will be super tough if entered against similar in his
return.
9TH — ADIOS CHARLIE (Indian Charlie) just missed in another top effort for
Stanley Hough, and the sophomore has done a lot of good things in a very short
amount of time. This one could develop into a top miler.
Sunday (5/15)
3RD — IMMACULATE CAT (Storm Cat) made a nice late run to finish a useful
second at first asking for a barn that is much better with experienced runners.
The Bobby Flay colorbearer should get a long look next out.
4TH — FRAZIL (The Cliff’s Edge) returns to the list following another tally
for Linda Rice, and the gelding had to work a little harder today. The
five-year-old came home in :31 4/5, a solid closing fraction for this level.
A Look Ahead
The one-mile, $150,000 Shuvee H. (G2) on Saturday is the lone graded event
this weekend.