CALDER NOTEBOOK
MAY 21, 2010
Cheyann Belief Makes Auspicious Career Debut
Veteran horseman Joe Calascibetta developed a colt by successful young
Florida-based stallion D’wildcat for a flashy career debut early in the Calder
meet last year when D’Funnybone drew off to score by 7 1/4 lengths under jockey
Manoel Cruz.
It was deja vu all over again last Saturday at Calder as Calascibetta had
another two-year-old colt by D’wildcat primed for his career debut with Cruz in
the saddle as CHEYANN BELIEF romped home a 10-length winner going 4 1/2 furlongs
in 53 1/5. The trainer owns Cheyann Belief with a partner.
Calascibetta owned D’Funnybone in partnership with breeder Harold Plumley
before they sold him privately after he finished second by a half-length in the
$100,000 Frank Gomez Memorial going six furlongs on July 11 behind Jackson Bend
(Hear No Evil) in his second start, a race that obviously turned out to be a key
test.
D’Funnybone was sold to owner Paul Pompa Jr. and placed with trainer Rick
Dutrow, going on to score in four graded stakes races thereafter — the Saratoga
Special (G2) and Futurity (G2) last year and the Hutcheson S. (G2) and Swale S.
(G2) at Gulfstream Park early this season.
Veteran Cruz & Apprentice Saez Continue to Dominate
Three-time Calder meet champion jockey Cruz won seven races during the four
days of racing last week, including four on Friday to edge past star Panamanian
apprentice rider Luis Saez for a 20-18 lead in the standings as the season here
is just getting underway.
The two jockeys both celebrated birthdays this week — Saez turned 18 on
Wednesday and Cruz hit 40 on Thursday. Former Calder champion Paco Lopez
remained third on the leader board with 12 victories, but has moved on to
Monmouth Park for the summer. Seven-pound apprentice Angel Moreno, also from
Panama, continues to get a good start here in fourth with nine wins, including
several boxcar longshots.
HORSES TO WATCH
Thursday (5/13)
8TH — CHISTOSA (Black Mambo) ran well to finish third stepping up to “two
other than” allowance conditions in her first start against seasoned older
fillies and mares and should improve while learning to relax. She is out of a
mare (Princess Chispa) that has produced fast, talented runners and will be very
tough, particularly in a spot against her own age.
Friday (5/14)
3RD — AMAZON HOLLY (Full Mandate) had to steady back to last of eight early
in second career try on turf as leaders set moderate fractions, rallied
three-wide into the stretch and was beaten only three-quarters for second as the
first two ran one-two all the way around.
Saturday (5/15)
6TH — LUNA GRANDE (Mass Media) got an outside trip and was gaining on winner
Miss Sarah Brown (Mass Media) as both made impressive career debuts. Remarkably
the top two were the first starters for Florida-based freshman stallion Mass
Media, a son of Touch Gold that won Forego H. (G1) at Saratoga. It may be worth
watching for others by the stallion as they get first chance.