BELMONT NOTEBOOK
MAY 14, 2015
by John Mucciolo
A quartet of graded stakes race headlined the second week of racing at
Belmont Park.
Man o’ War S. (G1): West Point Thoroughbreds’ TWILIGHT ECLIPSE (Purim)
tracked in second from the start and gradually wore down the pacesetter to win
by a neck for trainer Tom Albertrani. A five-time Grade 1 runner-up, and third
in last year’s Breeders’ Cup Turf (G1) and Sword Dancer (G1), the six-year-old
gelding finally netted an elusive Grade 1 victory and completed 1 3/8 miles on
the firm lawn in 2:14 2/5 with Javier Castellano.
Peter Pan S. (G2): Cheyenne Stable et al’s MADEFROMLUCKY (Lookin at Lucky)
swept to the lead in early stretch and stayed on late en route to a one-length
tally for trainer Todd Pletcher. The talented sophomore colt clocked nine panels
on the fast main oval in 1:48 1/5 under Javier Castellano.
Ruffian S. (G2): Godolphin’s homebred WEDDING TOAST (Street Sense) moved
into contention approaching the turn for home and drew off late in a superb
four-length romp beneath Jose Lezcano. The five-year-old mare sped one mile on
the fast main surface in 1:34 4/5 for trainer Kiaran McLaughlin
Beaugay S. (G3): Moyglare Stud’s DISCREET MARQ (Discreet Cat) went to the
lead soon after the break and was not headed thereafter on her way to a
three-parts of a length tally under John Velazquez. The Christophe Clement
trainee endured 1 1/16 miles on the firm turf oval in 1:42.
Track Stats
A total of 46 races were held at the Elmont, New York venue, with favorites
winning at a 46 percent rate and the top two betting choices combining for 70
percent of the wins during the week. From 27 races on the main oval, six animals
won in wire-to-wire fashion (22 percent), while five of the 19 grassy races were
taken all the way on the lead (26 percent).
We noticed a lot of winners on the lawn were forwardly placed this week,
though all kinds appeared to have a chance for sure. On the main oval, all six
wire-to-wire winners came through in sprint races.
It might be worth note that just one winner from 27 dirt races broke from a
post wider than the six slot. Some of that surely has to do with field size, but
it’s something to track going forward.
Meet Totals
| RACES: | 93 | |
| DIRT: | 53 | |
| TURF: | 40 | |
| FAVORITES: | 37 (40 percent) | |
| 2ND CHOICES: | 21 (22 percent) | |
| TURF WIRE: | 8 (20 percent) | |
| DIRT WIRE: | 16 (30 percent) |
HORSES TO WATCH
Wednesday (5/6)
1ST — EASTERN ROSE (Bernardini) ran to her 1-5 odds in posting a facile
three-length maiden tally for conditioner Shug McGaughey. The four-year-old led
throughout and looked like a filly that could run longer going forward for sure.
6TH — PATH (Tapit) ran a pretty good one in her first outing since the fall
and the sophomore filly could use this one as a nice steppingstone for the
remainder of the season.
Thursday (5/7)
1ST — BACK AT THE RANCH (Artie Schiller) was outrun early on but tracked in
second to deep stretch, taking command late in a professional maiden tally. The
two-year-old miss should be able to get more ground and could be a nice one for
fine juvenile trainer Wesley Ward.
7TH — EQUILATERAL (Arch) was very game but just missed in a sharp
performance in defeat under Manny Franco. The four-year-old filly surely could
have needed the race in her first voyage since September for trainer Robert
Ribaudo.
9TH — SISTER SOPHIA (Tale of the Cat) was well backed for this debut run and
lived up to the expectations, posting a nice maiden tally under Joel Rosario.
The three-year-old miss drew away late after overcoming a poor break and could
be the real deal for conditioner Lisa Lewis.
Friday (5/8)
4TH — ROOM FOR ME (Harlington) ran off to a third straight tally in driving
home a 4 1/4-length heroine for conditioner David Jacobson. The five-year-old
mare has surely been a superb claim and peaking since coming to the Empire
State.
8TH — DIDO (Bernstein) wasn’t beating the winner but ran a big second and
should use this as a nice prep for races later this campaign in her first outing
since July. The Graham Motion trainee finished up fast and should be stakes
bound going forward.
Saturday (5/9)
8TH — WINCOMA (Badge of Silver) showed no signs of rust off the layoff,
posting a fine allowance score with Javier Castellano. The Gary Sciacca
sophomore colt is kin to multiple Grade 1 winner Palace and could be a nice one
himself after registering a 99 BRIS Speed figure in this heat.
GLOBAL POSITIONING (Malibu Moon) had no chance with the winner in this spot
but was tons the second best in the field — he could be sitting on a win next
time out.
Sunday (5/10)
6TH — MUNASARA (Bernardini) pressed the pace to late stretch and inched
clear inside the final furlong en route to a nice allowance score for
conditioner Kiaran McLaughlin. The well-bred three-year-old filly is now
unbeaten from a pair of lifetime runs and could evolve into any type with steady
improvement.
A Look Ahead
Saturday will play host to the $150,000 Vagrancy Handicap (G3), the lone
graded race this weekend at Belmont Park.