BELMONT NOTEBOOK
MAY 21, 2015
by John Mucciolo
A single graded affair headlined the week of racing at Belmont Park.
Vagrancy H. (G3): Lady Sheila Stable’s LA VERDAD (Yes It’s True) got the
jump out of the gate, opened a clear lead in upper stretch and held late to post
a half-length tally under Jose Ortiz. Trained by Linda Rice, the five-year-old
mare finished off 6 1/2 panels on the fast main oval in 1:16.
Track Stats
A total of 48 races were held at the Elmont, New York venue, with favorites
winning at a 33 percent rate and the top two betting choices combining for 54
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 six of the 21 grassy races were
taken all the way on the lead (29 percent).
All six of the wire jobs on the main oval this week came in sprint events. Of
the six wire-to-wire winners on the green, five did so in route runs, with the
other in a seven-furlong dash.
Both ovals appeared to play fairly for all run styles during the majority of
the week.
Meet Totals
| RACES: | 141 | |
| DIRT: | 80 | |
| TURF: | 61 | |
| FAVORITES: | 53 (38 percent) | |
| 2ND CHOICES: | 31 (22 percent) | |
| TURF WIRE: | 14 (23 percent) | |
| DIRT WIRE: | 22 (28 percent) |
HORSES TO WATCH
Wednesday (5/13)
6TH — TOUCH THE MOON (Malibu Moon) was wide throughout but still finished
best of all in a nice debut tally for conditioner Todd Pletcher. The
three-year-old filly won at a tough trip for a first-time runner and could be
one to watch with more seasoning.
The well-bred I’LL TAKE CHARGE (Indian Charlie) broke slowest of all but put
in a big late run to be a clear second in her debut and the Bill Mott trainee
looks like a decent prospect going forward.
Thursday (5/14)
1ST — TOOHOTTOEVENSPEAK (Stonesider) showed little rust from the one-year
layoff in dominating this group for trainer John Terranova, drawing clear by 11
lengths under the wire. The four-year-old gelding will surely not be offered for
a tag next time after this display.
8TH — Mott’s big week continued with a pair of winners on this card,
including the sharp SYCAMORE LANE (Artie Schiller), who was much the best in
this turf test. The four-year-old toppled a solid field and should be stakes
bound in his subsequent outing.
Friday (5/15)
3RD — THE BIG DELUXE (Silver Wagon) pressed the pace, took a short lead
nearing the top of the lane and finished up swiftly in a powerful allowance
tally under Eric Cancel. The five-year-old Empire State-bred has run a pair of
huge ones since being claimed by Rudy Rodriguez, earning BRIS Speed figures of
100 and 101 along the way.
6TH — Michael Matz’s STRIKING STYLE (Smart Strike) couldn’t reel in the
wire-to-wire winner in this one but did run big late to be a clear second off
the long layoff. Tab this four-year-old filly to be very tough second time off
the shelf.
Saturday (5/16)
7TH — ELMAZEED (Bernardini) was challenged at the top of the lane but found
another gear and blew away his foes in a sharp debut offering for trainer Kiaran
McLaughlin. The four-year-old Kentucky-bred got his final quarter mile in a
zippy :23 2/5 and could be almost any kind going forward.
Sunday (5/17)
6TH — The Charlton Baker-trained SO NOTED (Read the Footnotes) was way back
early on but finished with good energy to be second in a big field behind a
sharp winner. The sophomore colt will be awfully tough next time out with even
slight improvement.
A Look Ahead
There is no graded racing on tap this week at Belmont Park.