BELMONT NOTEBOOK
JUNE 18, 2015
by John Mucciolo
There was a single graded race this week at Belmont Park.
Poker S. (G3): Kresa and Kresa’s KING KREESA (King Cugat) set the pace after
breaking best and never stopped in posting a three-parts of a length score with
Jose Ortiz in the irons. The six-year-old gelding won this race for the second
year in succession, finishing off one mile on the firm turf in 1:33 2/5 for
trainer David Donk.
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 72
percent of the wins during the week. From 21 races on the main oval, eight
animals won in wire-to-wire fashion (38 percent), while two of the 25 grassy
races were taken all the way on the lead (8 percent).
Early speed was good on the dirt this past week with a high number of
wire-to-wire winners, seven in sprints and one in a route test. But, with that
said, since we had a big number of favorites coming home first, we won’t say the
oval was biased.
It was a good week for much of the betting public with 46 percent of the
favorites winning.
Meet Totals
| RACES: | 320 | |
| DIRT: | 168 | |
| TURF: | 152 | |
| FAVORITES: | 120 (37 percent) | |
| 2ND CHOICES: | 75 (23 percent) | |
| TURF WIRE: | 29 (19 percent) | |
| DIRT WIRE: | 44 (27 percent) |
HORSES TO WATCH
Wednesday (6/10)
5TH — SHORE RUNNER (More Than Ready) tracked a clear leader before wearing
him down in the stretch and posting a strong tally under Eric Cancel. The
five-year-old could turn out to be a nice claim going forward.
8TH — BLACKTYPE (Dunkerque) was last early but put in a fine run in the lane
to easily prove best for trainer Christophe Clement. The four-year-old gelding
was pulling away late and completed his final five-sixteenths in a swift :28
3/5!
9TH — BLUE BERYL (Bernstein) broke slowest of all and was well back early,
but the four-year-old filly put in a spirited stretch run to win going away in a
fine performance. Trainer Robert Ribaudo rarely connects first out, so we will
keep a close eye on this one as she gets a bit more seasoning.
Thursday (6/11)
1ST — SO NOTED (Read the Footnotes) chased the clear and speedy winner to
late stretch before finishing third, and we think the Empire State-bred will be
graduating before long with even slight improvement.
7TH — DEKALB COUNTY (Malibu Moon) got a stern test at the top of the lane
but showed he had a lot left and pulled away to a fine score under John
Velazquez. The Todd Pletcher pupil has put together a pair of very nice wins
after an unplaced debut showing and the three-year-old has a lot of ability.
Friday (6/12)
2ND — EYEFUL (Muhtathir) showed no rust in her four-year-old debut with a
powerful allowance tally for trainer Graham Motion. The filly appeared to have a
lot left late and could be set for a fine second half of 2015.
8TH — Thomas Morley’s ZANDAR (Kitten’s Joy) showed nice improvement off his
latest, rallying with a ton of energy to a daylight score in this turf dash. The
sophomore colt did benefit from a wicked early pace but still looked the part
visually.
Saturday (6/13)
7TH — The Michelle Nevin-trained KNUCKLE CURVE (Proud Citizen) sped to the
front and increased his margin throughout in a commendable 7 1/4-length romp
under Cornelio Velasquez. The four-year-old colt came home fast under light
urging and will be tough right back with winners if placed in a reasonable spot.
8TH — SISTER SOPHIA (Tale of the Cat) earned a second straight win to kick
off her career with a last-to-first allowance score for trainer Lisa Lewis. The
three-year-old filly showed a really nice turn of foot and surely could be of
stakes quality with more development.
Sunday (6/14)
4TH — CAPTAIN TIM (Candy Ride) put in a fine effort and fell just short in
his trek from the Golden State to here for trainer John Shirreffs. The
three-year-old colt appears to like these surroundings and will be tough even
any kind of improvement going forward.
8TH — PARTISAN POLITICS (More Than Ready) kicked off her 2015 season with a
big run in this stakes spot, falling just short of running down a nice one for
trainer Chad Brown. The sophomore filly had a sharp juvenile campaign and looks
to be heading into another good year for a fine conditioner.
A Look Ahead
Saturday’s $150,000 Bed o’ Roses Stakes (G3) is the lone graded race on tap
this week.