BELMONT NOTEBOOK
MAY 15, 2014
by John Mucciolo
There was a quartet of graded stakes run during the second week of the
Belmont Park meeting.
Man o’ War S. (G1): Phipps Stable’s homebred IMAGINING (Giant’s
Causeway) took the lead soon after the break and was never headed, posting a
three-quarters of a length victory beneath Joel Rosario. The Shug McGaughey
pupil endured 1 3/8 miles on the “good” inner turf course in 2:14 1/5 to give
this barn its third straight tally in this race.
Ruffian S. (G2): Watson, Weitman and Pegram’s FIFTHYSHADESOFHAY
(Pulpit) was well reserved early but put in a fine late kick to capture this
affair for trainer Bob Baffert. The four-year-old filly, who was ridden by John
Velazquez, was three parts clear under the wire while getting one mile on the
fast main oval in 1:35 3/5.
Peter Pan S. (G2): Robert Evans’ TONALIST (Tapit) took the lead pretty
early on the sloppy, sealed oval and never looked back en route to a four-length
score with Rosario. The sophomore colt stopped the teletimer in 1:48 1/5 for
Christophe Clement and appears bound for the Belmont S. (G1).
Westchester H. (G3): Dogwood Stable’s PALACE MALICE (Curlin) made
short work of an overmatched field, rolling home a facile 9 3/4-length winner
for conditioner Todd Pletcher. The four-year-old colt recorded his third
straight win to kick off 2014 and clocked one mile on the “good” main oval in
1:35 under Velazquez.
Track Stats
A total of 47 races were held at the Elmont, New York venue, with favorites
winning at a 34 percent rate and the top two betting choices combining for 55
percent of the wins during the week. From 37 races on the main oval, eight
animals won in wire-to-wire fashion (22 percent). One of the 10 races on the
lawn was taken all the way on the front end (10 percent).
The main oval played kindly to speed types on Wednesday, when four of the six
main-track races were won by horses leading at the first call. Three of those
races came in the form of route runs.
Speed was not nearly as good for the remainder of the race week, with just
four leading all the way from 31 dirt events. As the oval got moisture-laden
later in the week, it appeared that runners that who were a path or more off of
the rail had the best footing.
Meet Totals
| RACES:: | 86 | |
| TURF: | 19 | |
| DIRT: | 67 | |
| FAVORITES: | 34 (40 percent) | |
| 2ND CHOICES: | 20 (23 percent) | |
| TURF WIRE: | 5 (26 percent) | |
| DIRT WIRE: | 16 (24 percent) |
HORSES TO WATCH
Wednesday (5/7)
6TH — BAY OF PLENTY (Medaglia d’Oro) put on another fine display, posting
his second straight dominating performance for trainer Kiaran McLaughlin, and
the well-bred colt looks the type who can run all day. We should see him next in
the Belmont Stakes, where he could be a major player.
8TH — AULD ALLIANCE (Montjeu) left a fine impression in her U.S. debut for
conditioner Graham Motion when gamely wearing down a good one to score beneath
John Velazquez. The four-year-old filly was making her first run since the
summer and was very keen early, but still managed to get up under the line. We
have a hunch this lass has a lot more to offer as the season unfolds.
Friday (5/9)
3RD — BIO PRO (War Front) was out moved by the winner in early stretch but
did show some fight in finishing gamely to the wire when second in her first for
conditioner Bill Mott. The California import showed improvement off of his last
few and might be a danger in his subsequent try.
6TH — KEEP RIGHT (Street Cry) did not endure the best of trips but did stay
on well for John Kimmel, recording a nice runner-up to a wire-to-wire winner.
The sophomore filly broke slow, was squeezed soon after and traveled wide the
entire way around, but still managed to be clear of the show spot. Expect this
one to be graduating before long.
Saturday (5/10)
3RD — We’ll tab debut winner EQUILATERAL (Arch) as a horse to watch for
sure, as the Robert Ribaudo trainee rallied well in the lane to win like a good
thing over a field that might have some class to it. The sophomore filly goes
for a conditioner that rarely wins first out, and she is also bred for the lawn
and longer distances, so this performance tells us she certainly has some
talent.
7TH — STABLEFORD (Smart Strike) gave Ribaudo a pair of ones to watch going
forward on this card when the Euro import finished a fine second, four lengths
clear of his nearest foe, in his U.S. debut. The four-year-old colt showed both
tactical speed and a turn of foot, and he should improve off of this as he gets
acclimated to these surroundings.
8TH — Trainer David Jacobson has done a fantastic job getting SALUTOS AMIGOS
(Salute the Sarge) in fine form after going downhill in the Golden State. The
capable four-year-old has ripped off three straight since coming to New York,
and was really moving well in the lane here. For his work, the Kentucky-bred
earned a 104 Speed number while notching a 102 Late Pace figure. Good stuff.
Sunday (5/11)
2ND — ROCK FALL (Speightstown) relished this race coming off the lawn as the
Todd Pletcher trainee roared home a superb maiden winner under Javier
Castellano. The three-year-old colt annihilated his foes by 9 1/4 lengths,
earning a 102 BRIS Speed figure with a 104 Late Pace for good measure. The
Kentucky-bred could evolve into a stakes horse with more seasoning.
7TH — Trainer Ian Wilkes’ FREE AS A BIRD (Hard Spun) pressed the pace and
drove clear to a strong score under Joel Rosario, getting her final two furlongs
in a swift :22 2/5. The mare appears to thrive on this lawn.
A Look Ahead
Saturday’s Grade 3, $150,000 Vagrancy Handicap is the lone graded race this
weekend at Belmont Park.