BELMONT NOTEBOOK
JUNE 11, 2015
by John Mucciolo
Belmont Park’s signature weekend of racing took place and a Triple Crown
champion was crowned.
Belmont S. (G1): Zayat Stables’ homebred AMERICAN PHAROAH (Pioneerof The
Nile) put himself in elite company, becoming the 12th Triple Crown hero with a
scintillating 5 1/2-length drubbing under Victor Espinoza. The three-year-old
Bob Baffert trainee led at every call and finished off 1 1/2 miles in a
fantastic 2:26 3/5. Congrats to all connected to this amazing animal!
Met Mile H. (G1): Lane’s End and Dell Ridge Farm’s HONOR CODE (A.P. Indy)
was last after the opening half-mile but put in his usual huge late run, blowing
past the field on his way to a 3 3/4-length romp for Shug McGaughey. The
four-year-old sped a mile on the fast main oval in a wicked 1:33 with Javier
Castellano.
Ogden Phipps S. (G1): Godolphin Racing’s homebred WEDDING TOAST (Street
Sense) took the lead soon after the break and was never threatened, posting a a
five-length romp for trainer Kiaran McLaughlin. The five-year-old mare came home
swiftly and completed 1 1/16 miles on the fast main oval in 1:40 1/5, notching
her first Grade 1 tally with Jose Lezcano.
Manhattan S. (G1): Michael Dubb et al’s SLUMBER (Cacique) rallied four-wide
into the lane and dusted his foes inside the final furlong, recording a 2
3/4-length decision with Irad Ortiz Jr. in the controls. The seven-year-old got
10 panels on the “good” turf course in 2:01 1/5 for conditioner Chad Brown.
Just A Game S. (G1): Robert Masterson’s TEPIN (Bernstein) tracked in third
to the top of the lane, inched closer nearing midstretch and closed strongly for
a half-length score with Julien Leparoux. The four-year-old filly completed a
mile on the “good” turf oval in 1:35 for conditioner Mark Casse.
Acorn S. (G1): Eclipse Thoroughbreds’ CURALINA (Curlin) broke slowest of all
but got into contention shortly thereafter and ran down a clear leader late to
earn a nose decision under John Velazquez. The Todd Pletcher-trained
three-year-old stopped the teletimer in 1:35 for the one-mile affair.
Woody Stephens S. (G2): Robert LaPenta’s MARCH (Blame) saved ground early,
came in the clear for the run home and got up by a nose for Brown. The sophomore
colt earned his second straight graded tally and stepped seven furlongs in a
swift 1:21 1/5 with Ortiz Jr.
Brooklyn Invitational S. (G2): Repole Stable’s COACH INGE (Big Brown) was
always in the mix from the break, got passed by a Grade 1 winner in late stretch
and battled back gamely to post a neck victory with Velazquez. The four-year-old
gelding turned 1 1/2 miles on the fast dirt surface in 2:27 for Pletcher.
New York S. (G2): Mrs. Paul Shanahan’s WALTZING MATILDA (Danehill Dancer)
got into contention at the top of the lane and slowly inched clear to a
three-parts of a length upset in this affair. Trained by Tommy Stack, the
four-year-old filly endured 10 panels on the firm lawn in 2:01 1/5 beneath
Junior Alvarado.
True North H. (G2): Stonestreet Stables’ ROCK FALL (Speightstown) took a
short advantage at the head of the stretch and pulled away to a decisive 3
3/4-length score under Castellano. The Pletcher pupil was never in danger,
finishing up six furlongs on the fast main oval in 1:08 1/5.
Jaipur S. (G3): Rigney Racing’s CHANNEL MARKER (Purim) was always well
placed, got set down for the drive nearing midstretch and finished a length on
top beneath Francisco Torres. The Phil Bauer trainee sped six panels on the
“good” turf in 1:09 2/5.
Track Stats
A total of 41 races were held over the main strip at the Elmont, New York
venue, with favorites winning at a 24 percent rate and the top two betting
choices combining for 51 percent of the wins during the week. From 24 races on
the main oval, five animals won in wire-to-wire fashion (29 percent), while five
of the 17 grassy races were taken all the way on the lead (21 percent).
Speed was good on the turf for most of the week, especially on Sunday when a
trio of winners led at every call on the green from six grassy tilts. In
addition to the wire jobs, we saw a handful of horses at least laying close in
the early stages.
We thought the main oval played mostly fair this week, perhaps with a slight
edge to those stalking or tracking the pace early. Of the five wire-to-wire
winners, three came in route events and the other two in sprint tries.
Meet Totals
| RACES: | 274 | |
| DIRT: | 147 | |
| TURF: | 127 | |
| FAVORITES: | 99 (36 percent) | |
| 2ND CHOICES: | 63 (23 percent) | |
| TURF WIRE: | 27 (21 percent) | |
| DIRT WIRE: | 36 (24 percent) |
HORSES TO WATCH
Thursday (6/4)
2ND — WAVELL AVENUE (Harlington) made a nice move to take the lead in early
stretch and poured it on late en route to a superb six-length allowance score
for Chad Brown. The four-year-old filly will be very tough next time on a class
rise with a similar late burst.
3RD — DECKED OUT (Street Boss) couldn’t catch the speedy winner, but the
Keith Desormeaux trainee ran big to be very clear in second. The juvenile miss
has been very precocious and will likely see graded foes in her return.
4TH — CARRUMBA (Bernardini) was last early but put in a superb late run to
be a closing second, finishing more than six lengths clear of third in this
heat. The Shug McGaughey pupil surely looks like potentially a nice one with a
bit more seasoning, and possibly more ground to work as well.
Friday (6/5)
2ND — SPEIGHTSTER (Speightstown) followed up a dynamic maiden win at
Keeneland with a powerful tally in her debut versus winners for conditioner Bill
Mott. The sophomore colt looks like he could be any kind, really, and will be
facing stakes foes in the very near future.
6TH — The Mott-trained MY MISS SOPHIA (Unbridled’s Song) surely proved the
move to the turf would be of little issue as the four-year-old filly took
command early and made short work of this field in a fine tally. She posted a
hefty 100 BRIS Speed number and is a threat on all surfaces going forward.
8TH — ROCK FALL has now ripped off five wins in succession after an unplaced
debut outing last campaign, easily adding a graded win to his resume in this
dash. The four-year-old colt is evolving into a premier one-turn horse for Todd
Pletcher.
Saturday (6/6)
2ND — TOMMY MACHO (Macho Uno) is turning out to be a fine private buy after
running home to a second straight win since joining Pletcher. The three-year-old
colt earned a strong 99 BRIS Speed number and could be stakes bound before long.
7TH — BY THE MOON (Indian Charlie) did everything right but win this race in
posting a huge second at big odds. The talented lass had gone off form a bit but
proved she is among the better in her division at one turn.
11TH — FROSTED (Tapit) is one darn nice animal and has put in a trio of huge
runs since his throat surgery. The Kiaran McLaughlin pupil could be the second
best of this crop and looks set for a big summer and fall.
Sunday (6/7)
4TH — GREY WIZARD (Kitten’s Joy) took the lead in the lane and pulled away
with authority en route to a fine maiden tally for Brown. The sophomore colt was
sharp from a visual standpoint and we think he will be very tough with winners
next time out.
A Look Ahead
Saturday’s $300,000 Poker Stakes (G3) is the lone graded race on tap.