BELMONT PARK NOTEBOOK
MAY 31, 2012
by John Mucciolo
A five-pack of graded events headlined the huge weekend of racing at Belmont
Park.
Metropolitan H. (G1): Lauffer et al’s homebred SHACKLEFORD held off a
big late threat from Caleb’s Posse after leading throughout to bag this race by
a nose for trainer Dale Romans. The much-accomplished four-year-old sped one
mile on the fast main oval in 1:33 1/5 under the guidance of John Velazquez.
Ogden Phipps S. (G1): Multiple Grade 1 heroine IT’S TRICKY wore down a
stubborn pacesetter en route to her third straight win of 2012 for Kiaran
McLaughlin. The mega-talented four-year-old inched clear by three-quarters of a
length late and completed the 1 1/16 miles on the main strip in 1:41 3/5 beneath
Eddie Castro.
Acorn S. (G1): Natalie Baffert’s CONTESTED took the lead soon after
the start and rolled home an easy, five-length vixen in here under trainer
Javier Castellano. The surging Bob Baffert pupil got the one-turn mile in 1:34
3/5.
Sands Point S. (G2): Darley Stable’s homebred BETTER LUCKY got the
best of a three-horse photo in picking up this graded win under Eddie Castro.
The Tom Albertrani pupil was clear by a nose on the wire and finished off 1 1/16
miles on the firm lawn in 1:42 3/5.
Sheepshead Bay S. (G2): Flaxman Holdings’ homebred ARUNA surged to the
front in early stretch and was clear throughout the lane in posting a 1
1/2-length win in this spot under Ramon Dominguez. The consistently good
five-year-old traveled 1 3/8 miles on the good turf oval in 2:15 2/5 for
conditioner Graham Motion.
Track Stats
A total of 58 races were held over the Elmont, New York, venue, with
favorites winning at a 29 percent rate and the top two betting choices combining
for 57 percent of the wins during the week. From 40 races on the main oval, 13
animals won in wire-to-wire fashion (32 percent), while none of the 18 races on
the lawn were taken all the way on the front.
Not a single runner led at every call on either turf course this week, and
many of the winners made up a good deal of ground from the second call to the
finish. The surface of the oval after the rain may have played a minor role, but
it’s been better to be relaxed early and make a run to this point, especially
when routing on the green.
Speed was fairly consistent on the main oval during the week, but we also
witnessed stalkers and deep closers get the job done at the same time on this
surface. Saturday saw four of the nine races on the dirt result in wire jobs.
Meet Totals
| RACES: | 230 | |
| DIRT: | 152 | |
| TURF: | 78 | |
| FAVORITES: | 81 (35 percent) | |
| 2ND CHOICES: | 57 (25 percent) | |
| TURF WIRE: | 10 (13 percent) | |
| DIRT WIRE: | 43 (28 percent) |
HORSES TO WATCH
Wednesday (5/23)
7TH — LITTLE DALE sat a length off the lead early, took over in early
stretch and kept on going in a fine tally for Romans. We’re not concerned that
this was an off-the-turf race, since the winner was very impressive regardless
of surface.
Thursday (5/24)
2ND — MR RODRIGUEZ left little doubt in this one at first asking for trainer
Rudy Rodriguez, leading soon after the start and pouring it on late in a fine
debut score. The juvenile colt was almost surely be stakes bound in his comeback
event.
Friday (5/25)
9TH — CLARINDA was out-moved turning for home but stayed on well throughout
the stretch to be a very clear second in this one, more than five lengths clear
of third. The sophomore filly should be earning her diploma soon for trainer
Christophe Clement.
Saturday (5/26)
4TH — DESERT STORM put in a big rally and just missed late in another solid
try for trainer Bill Mott. The talented colt was easily second best on this day
and should be winning a race or two in the very near future. The winner came
home fast and could be a nice one himself.
Sunday (5/27)
2ND — MISSILE MOTOR had no chance with the class-dropping winner on this
day, but was second throughout the lane and well clear of his nearest foe in
this spot. The inconsistent, yet capable, nine-year-old has to get a look in his
comeback event.
4TH — ISN’T HE PERFECT picked up his second win of the week in this one for
trainer Richard Dutrow, closing from last in this small field to win going away
late. The four-year-old seems to thrive on racing so we wouldn’t be floored if
he’s entered again at a similar level pretty soon.
9TH — CINEMATIZE was a fairly strong third in this one at first asking for
conditioner Tony Dutrow, flashing good speed but having the misfortune of
chasing the clear winner. We really like this one’s chances next time in a
similar spot.
Monday (5/28)
2ND — FONTLEY put in a fine U.S. debut here for Clement, taking over in
early stretch and powering home a solid winner in this spot under Jose Lezcano.
The five-year-old didn’t topple any world beaters in this one, but did so in
fine fashion and got her final five-sixteenths in a snappy :28 2/5.
6TH — BUFFUM came back with a vengeance in this first run since September,
taking command at will and rolling home by eight lengths. The stakes quality
four-year-old was always traveling well for Albertrani, and we peg this one for
graded success in 2012, especially at Saratoga where he romped in an allowance
race last summer.
10TH — SHACKLEFORD has been running huge enough times in succession to be
called among the best horses in the United States. He’s quick, versatile and
stubborn, and we’d go to battle with him any day.
A Look Ahead
Saturday’s Grade 2, $200,000 Vagrancy is the lone graded attraction here at
Belmont Park this weekend.