BELMONT NOTEBOOK
NOVEMBER 2, 2005
by Bernard T. Moore
It was a day of excitement and exhilaration for some, and a day
disappointment and utter frustration for others. And, there were people who
experienced all the aforementioned emotions at the same time. The Breeder’s Cup
will do that to you. No matter which side of the aisle you landed on Saturday,
it was a spectacular day of Thoroughbred racing, a sport which on occasion
stumbles as it attempts to put its best foot forward as the entire world looks
on.
While the weather was not absolutely perfect on Saturday, at least it wasn’t
raining as the crowd began filing into Belmont Park in the morning. NYRA carded
two stakes contests to whet the appetites of those in attendance, not that it
was necessary, as the World Thoroughbred Championships can certainly stand on
its own merit.
The first such event on the 10-race card was the Sport Page H. (G3) for
three-year-olds and up at seven furlongs. California based runners finished 1-2
as GOTAGHOSTOFACHANCE (Silver Ghost) closed determinedly in deep stretch to win
by a half-length over a game Captain Squire (Flying Chevron). Wild Tale (Tale of
the Cat) closed belatedly to take down the show, a length in front of Silver
Wagon (Wagon Limit), the 2-1 favorite who lacked clear sailing in the stretch
run.
The Discovery H. (G3), for three-year-olds at 1 1/16 miles, completed the
early daily double on Breeders’ Cup Day. MAGNA GRADUATE (Honor Grades), fresh
from a fine tactical win in the Pegasus H. (G3) last month at the Meadowlands,
made it two straight victories by reeling in the pacesetting Scrappy T (Fit to
Fight) in deep stretch, and then edging away to score by three parts of a
length.
The runner-up, ridden by Jerry Bailey for the first time, had no visible
excuse as he laid down a comfortable early pace. He fought back gamely when
Magna Graduate appeared to his outside, but weakened slightly late under
pressure. Buzzard’s Bay (Marco Bay) raced towards the back of the pack early on
and closed with good energy to finish third. War Front (Danzig), the 4-1 second
choice in the wagering, stalked the modest fractions while a bit rank racing
down the backstretch, as he was pinned down along the inside. He subsequently
lacked the necessary punch in the stretch when clear.
As far as the Breeder’s Cup is concerned, I’m sure most of you watched at
least some of the races, if not all of them. And, if you weren’t able to see any
of them, there has been plenty of coverage in the Handicapper’s Edge, which the
BRIS staff did a good job covering in detail.
On a personal note concerning the Breeders’ Cup, my October 5 notebook for
Belmont Park gave out the following horses to watch — Artie Schiller (El Prado
[Ire]) and Society Selection (Coronado’s Quest). Both ran well Saturday,
recording a win and a runner-up finish, respectively. That’s why they call this
the Handicapper’s Edge.
Sunday’s races might have been a bit anticlimactic for some people. However,
when you’re lucky enough to bet a winner in this game, the money spends just as
well regardless of the level of competition.
The First Flight S. (G2) served as the co-feature as the track celebrated the
final day in its 100th season of racing. GREAT INTENTIONS (Cat Thief), sitting a
perfect stalking trip down the backstretch, overhauled the pacesetting Smokey
Glacken (Forestry) in the stretch and continued on gamely to win by three
lengths. Habiboo (Unbridled’s Song) had to be pushed along early by jockey Joe
Bravo before finding her best stride in the stretch. She closed willingly
despite having to steady a bit, but in all likelihood, that incident did not
cost her a chance at victory. Smokey Glacken was able to save the show once
displaced on the lead.
One race later, the European bred runner ATLANDO (Ire) (Hernando [Fr]) closed
resolutely in the stretch to win the Knickerbocker H. (G3) at 1 1/8 miles on the
turf, the final race on the card. The early trailer in a field of 10 runners,
Atlando began to improve her position around the far turn. She was able to
sustain that rally under Bailey while racing wide and losing valuable ground
entering the stretch. She subsequently closed with a flourish in deep stretch to
win by a neck over an unlucky Certifiably Crazy (Fit to Fight).
The runner-up led from the start and looked home free in midstretch.
Regrettably, the finish line did not appear soon enough and she was forced to
settle for second money. Rousing Victory (Victory Gallop) raced in the second
flight of runners, but lacked the necessary punch in the stretch and finished
third. We All Love Aleyna (Nines Wild), bet down to 2-1 favoritism, raced in
contention throughout, but failed to respond when called upon.
As an owner, watching your horse win a race is certainly exhilarating.
However, the victory takes on added meaning when you are the breeder of your
horse as well. Lee Lewis was fortunate enough to enjoy both pleasures as his
homebred BETTER NOW (Thunder Gulch) annexed Sunday’s Tempted S. (G3) by 3 1/2
widening lengths.
The Kentucky-bred quickly moved into contention on the inside around the far
turn with jockey Javier Castellano at the controls. She was maneuvered to the
outside for her stretch run, and accelerated past the leader to win drawing
under only token encouragement late. Capote’s Crown (Capote) set up shop on the
front and held the lead until the stretch, but could not match strides with the
winner while holding on gamely for the place. Wonder Lady Anne L (Real Quiet)
stalked the early pace and finished with interest to save the show in her first
start since August.
Edgar Prado won the riding title at the meet, with John Velazquez finishing
second. Bailey, Eibar Coa and Castellano rounded out the top five.
Todd Pletcher led all trainers, edging out Richard Dutrow Jr. by a single
victory. Gary Contessa and Bill Mott finished in a deadheat for third-place with
Bruce Levine taking down the fifth spot.
Speed fared quite well over the main track on Wednesday and Thursday. The
coursed appeared to play quite fairly on Friday and remained that way over the
weekend.
Turf racing was conducted on only two days last week, Saturday and Sunday.
There did not appear to be a prevailing bias on either course either day.
The outside paths seemed a tad better on Wednesday, but the track seemed to
play quite uniformly from that point on.
HORSES TO WATCH
Wednesday (10/26)
4TH – YOLIE’S CHOICE (Silver Deputy) finished a strong second in her career
debut. Dueled on the lead towards the deeper inside and held gamely in a swiftly
run abbreviated sprint. Trainer Kelly Breen excels with juveniles.
9TH – R LAST INSTALLMENT (King of Kings) offered a good effort in his main
track debut off a freshening. Raced lethargically early breaking from the rail.
Closed with good energy to be second best against the grain of a speed biased
course. Appears quite capable of handling either turf or dirt
Thursday (10/27)
1ST – REAL KNOWSY (Gone for Real) turned in a sharp second off the bench
meeting limited winners for the first time. Held well setting a quick and
pressured pace, yielding only to the dominant winner.
4TH – POINT ME TO IT (Precise End) showed dramatic form reversal sprinting on
a much drier surface. Gave futile chase to the odds-on winning favorite from the
outset and continued on well in the stretch for the place.
Friday (10/28)
4TH – MARITAL ASSET (A.P. Indy) finished an encouraging third in his well bet
career debut. Improved his position upon entering the stretch and could not
sustain his rally as the race quickened late. Hails from a stakes family that
could win in sprints or routes.
8TH – DIABOLICAL (Artax) held extremely well to finish third in his first
effort beyond six furlongs. Carved out a lively pace and tired slowly late in a
race that was quick throughout.
Saturday (10/29)
1ST – Silver Wagon has been saddled with the rail in last three races. He was
caught behind horses down the backstretch awaiting running room. He then raced
in heavy traffic through the stretch and could possibly have won with clear
sailing. Grade 1 winner remains eligible for a NW3X allowance contest and would
definitely benefit from an outside post going forward.
4TH – HENNY HUGHES (Hennessy) finished a sharp second in the Juvenile (G1)
after dueling on the lead throughout. Held determinedly in the stretch, yielding
grudgingly late to a fresh closer. Might have distance limitations and could be
the next edition of Lion Heart.
6th – TASTE OF PARADISE (Conquistador Cielo) was another California-based
runner who flourished at Belmont Park this fall. Was probably best in the Sprint
(G1) as he lacked racing room making a stretch bid. Had to alter course as a
opening he was being targeted for closed, losing valuable momentum in the
process.
Sunday (10/30)
6TH – Capote’s Crown offered a sharp effort stepping up/stretching out in her
initial start vs. winners. Set a lively pace on the front end and held extremely
well to finish second. Should definitely benefit from this initial route
experience under her belt.
7TH – HABIBOO (Unbridled’s Song) wound up a good second off the shelf turning
back to a sprint. Hindered by modest pace fractions on the front end. Leveled
off very well around the turn and into the stretch. Finished best of all late.
Would definitely benefit from more ground and maybe a slight class drop as well.