BELMONT NOTEBOOK
JULY 4, 2013
by John Mucciolo
A pair of graded stakes affairs highlighted the weekend at Belmont Park.
New York S. (G2): Juddmonte Farms’ homebred STARFORMER (Dynaformer)
tracked in third to the top of the lane, inched to the lead nearing midstretch
and stayed on well in a sharp tally beneath Edgar Prado. The Bill Mott pupil
traveled 1 1/4 miles on the firm inner lawn in 2:00 1/5, finishing 1 3/4 lengths
clear at the wire.
Victory Ride S. (G3): Paul Pompa Jr.’s BABY J (J Be K) led early, was
passed at the top of the lane, fell 1 1/2 lengths back in midstretch but
re-rallied in impressive fashion to pull off the upset for trainer Patrick
Reynolds. The sophomore filly sped six panels on the fast main strip in 1:10 4/5
under the guidance of Joel Rosario.
Track Stats
A total of 48 races were held at the Elmont, New York, venue, with favorites
winning at a 44 percent rate and the top two betting choices combining for 56
percent of the wins during the week. From 24 races on the main oval, seven
animals won in wire-to-wire fashion (29 percent), while six of the 24 races on
the lawn were taken all the way on the front (25 percent).
Speed on the main oval was mostly dead over Saturday and Sunday, with no
winners going all the way on the front from 10 main-track races. We also saw a
lot of horses rally to big wins while on the outside, hinting that those runners
could have been placed on the perfect part of this oval.
The lawn yielded six winners leading at every call, with three coming in
sprints (2 inner turf, 1 outer lawn) and an additional trio in route races (2
outer turf, 1 inner turf).
We’re not sure why, but no horse breaking from the rail on the dirt oval won
for the entire week, a total of 24 races.
Meet Totals
| RACES: | 453 | |
| DIRT: | 280 | |
| TURF: | 173 | |
| FAVORITES: | 155 (34 percent) | |
| 2ND CHOICES: | 91 (20 percent) | |
| TURF WIRE: | 34 (20 percent) | |
| DIRT WIRE: | 73 (26 percent) |
HORSES TO WATCH
Wednesday (6/26)
4TH — LONGFOR THE CITY (Langfuhr) made a big move in early stretch to the
finish to dominate this field in a fine showing under Irad Ortiz Jr. The
Christophe Clement pupil ran off to a second straight win and was most
impressive getting a final quarter mile in :23 4/5.
8TH — STRAPPING GROOM (Johannesburg) was allowed to set mild opening splits
and put this field away with a fine turn of foot for trainer David Jacobson. The
six-year-old topped a decent little field and has a lot of upside going forward
in a fine form cycle.
Thursday (6/27)
5TH — The talented STORMY LEN (Harlan’s Holiday) was always well placed in
here and finished up well to top this field in a promising effort. The David
Donk pupil is pretty versatile and is going well right now, so he could be
stakes bound next out.
Friday (6/28)
7TH — WEEKEND HIDEAWAY (Speightstown) ran one of the better races of the
week in running this field off their respective feet, posting a superb stakes
win for conditioner Phil Serpe. The multiple stakes star sped six panels in a
wicked 1:08 1/5 and seems primed for another stakes run at Saratoga next time, a
venue he has proven to love.
8TH — The Clement-trained QUIET ENDING (Langfuhr) swept to the lead in early
stretch with a big move and stayed on well to post a one-length victory beneath
Jose Lezcano. The four-year-old filly was impressive in rallying into a moderate
pace, getting her final three furlong in a snappy :34 2/5.
Saturday (6/29)
2ND — EASTWOOD (Speightstown) made it two straight on this day for trainer
Michael Mareina, wearing down the pacesetter in a very game performance. The
sophomore colt topped an elder with some back class in here and seems poised for
bigger things going forward.
9TH — BRIDGEHAMPTON (Bernardini) did every thing right but seal the deal in
the lane in her stakes debut, and the lightly raced filly looks like a very nice
one for conditioner Michael Hushion. Tab this sophomore for future stakes
success.
Sunday (6/30)
5TH — Trainer Michael Maker may have made a heady claim with
GROOMEDFORVICTORY (Victory Gallop) after the eight-year-old gelding dusted this
field. The elder statesman proved he has plenty of run left in him, and if
placed properly, he’ll be a tough beat next time.
8TH — SARATOGA SNACKS (Tale of the Cat) shook off any rust he accumulated
off the layoff since December in topping this talented field off the pine for
Gary Sciacca. The four-year-old was likely using this as a prep race for a date
down the road some, and he’s an exciting prospect on this circuit to follow in
2013.
A Look Ahead
The Saturday card at Belmont Park will play host to a pair of Grade 2 stakes;
the $350,000 Suburban Handicap and $200,000 Dwyer Stakes.
The July 4 card on Thursday will be headlined by the Grade 3, $150,000 Poker
Handicap.