BELMONT
NOTEBOOK
September
22
by John Mucciolo
A total of six stakes were contested over the weekend at Big
Sandy, and we witnessed some awesome performances. Juddmonte
Farms’ homebred SIGHTSEEK (Distant View), toting 122 pounds, made
quick work of her competition while dominating the $294,000
Ruffian H. (G1) on Sunday. The Bobby Frankel trainee took over
after six furlongs in 1:10 3/5, and cruised home from there under
a hand ride by John Velazquez. The classy five-year-old was 11 1/4
lengths clear under the line, stopping the teletimer in a brisk 1:41
2/5.
Pocus Hocus (Quiet American) was game in defeat, fighting back
on the rail to earn the place spot 2 1/2 parts clear of her
nearest pursuer. Miss Loren (Arg) (Numerous) belatedly grabbed
the show spot.
A race prior, Michael Tabor and Derrick Smith’s SENSE OF STYLE
(Thunder Gulch) kept her perfect mark intact with a super-impressive
one-length tally in the $300,000 Matron S. (G1) for sophomore
fillies. Trained by Patrick Biancone and piloted by Edgar Prado,
the bay circled the field to take over turning for home and had
to fight off a bold move by Play With Fire (Boundary) in
midstretch, gamely holding that one at bay. Her time for the one-mile
affair was 1:37 3/5, six ticks quicker than her male counterparts
in the previous race.
Balletto (UAE) (Timber Country) grabbed the place spot late
with a strong close along the rail, while the aforementioned Play
With Fire tired and finished third.
In the $300,000 Futurity S. (G2) for two-year-old colts, Char-Mari
Stable’s PARK AVENUE BALL (Citidancer) swept three-wide turning
for home and proved much the best in earning his first graded
score. The chestnut rated off the pace in the oddly run race (:24,
:22 4/5 fractions for the first four furlongs), and took
advantage of a perfectly timed ride by Javier Castellano to get
the jump on the other closers. The Jimmy Ryerson trained colt
gave back $23.60 as a 10-1 overlay.
Wallstreet Scandal (Mt. Livermore) was prominent early, outrun
during that :22 4/5 quarter-mile split, and rallied well to gain
the place. Evil Minister (Deputy Minister) closed from last to
gain a graded placing.
Their were a trio of graded events hosted by Belmont on
Saturday, led by the $150,000 Jerome H. (G2) for three-year-olds.
Breaking sharply from the gate under Shaun Bridgmohan, B Wayne
Hughes’ TETON FOREST (Forestry) set moderate splits while alone
on the lead, and when asked for his full run, the colt responded
en route to a six length tally. The Bob Baffert trainee completed
one-mile over sloppy going in 1:35 3/5, while never being
challenged.
Ice Wynnd Fire (Northern Afleet) gave a good account of
himself in finishing second, while Mahzouz (Charismatic) closed
well while inside to garner show honors.
SENOR SWINGER (El Prado [Ire]) may have found a new turf
course to his liking, as he romped home a four-length winner of
the $197,800 Belmont Breeders’ Cup H. (G2). Run over nine soft
turf furlongs, the Churchill-loving four-year-old took over soon
after the turf for home and left little doubt who was best on
this afternoon, giving Bob Baffert his second graded conquer of
the day. The gray stopped the timer in a very nice 1:52 3/5 in
winning for the first time at Belmont.
Stroll (Pulpit), hammered at the windows to 3-5 off the shelf,
looked like he had the race in hand turning for home, but offered
little resistance to the top one. B. A. Way (Lasting Approval)
finished third in the four-horse field.
The $104,400 Floral Park H. (G3) came down to the final jump
in the weekend’s most dramatic graded event, with FELINE STORY (Tale
of the Cat) finally earning her much deserved graded win.
Appearing out of the race in the lane, the determined three-year-old
filly flew home to nip Cologny (Go For Gin) at the wire beneath
Edgar Prado. The Stanley Hough conditioned bay got six sloppy
panels in 1:10 3/5, with Travelator (A. P. Jet) 2 1/2 lengths
back in the show spot.
“Chalk Watch”
As customary with many meets at Belmont Park, the percentage
of favorites winning is often higher than par when compared to
racetracks across the United States. From the past week of
racing, 47 races were run and 19 of those were captured by the
favorite for a higher than average 40 percent win rate.
Compound that with 12 of the winners being the second choice (25
percent), and you have the horse crossing the line first being
the first or second nd choice an astounding 66 percent of the
time. That number doesn’t necessarily affect the “chalk”
player, but it forces the longshot bettor to become more creative
in order to turn a profit.
HORSES TO WATCH
Wednesday (9/15)
7th — HONOR POINT (Honor Grades) made an earlier than
necessary move to reach contention in this one, and then fought
gamely to gain the place. It was the three-year-old’s first
effort with Lasix and she faced a tough field, look for her on
the rebound.
SWEET LIPS (Kris S.) found some traffic in the stretch, but
closed stoutly when she found room under Aaron Gryder. I believe
this race was very strong for a NW2X, and she, too, merits a
watch in her next one.
Thursday (9/16)
7th — PELAHM BAY (Smart Strike) raced very professionally in
dispatching of state-bred allowance foes for Pat Kelly. The two-year-old
filly got her final five-sixteenths in a very respectable :32.
8th — CELTIC MEMORIES (Tabasco Cat) finally broke through
this allowance level after coming close on numerous occasions.
His ability to get ten furlongs was a big question mark leading
up to the race, but closing a final half-mile in :47 4/5 erased
any doubts in my mind. Kudos to jockey Jose Espinoza, who has on
various occasions proven he’s an excellent turf rider, for
dictating this contest.
Friday (9/17)
3rd — It’s hard to gauge how good GALLOPING GROCER (A. P Jet)
is after crushing two less than par fields, but he’s made this
game look easy, thus far. The gelding came home in fine fashion,
and it was interesting to see Velazquez ride him out for an extra
furlong after crossing the wire. Stakes company will likely be
next, possibly the October 9, Champagne S. (G1) for the
undefeated New York-bred.
4th — MELHOR AINDA (Pulpit) exploded in the stretch and
dominated this one, finishing up in a swift 1:34 3/5. The two-year-old
was produced from a Group 1 winner, and it appears that the apple
didn’t fall far from the tree. I recommend tabbing the top four
finishers of that race in their next outing.
Saturday (9/18)
3rd — SHOP AGAIN (Wild Again) has run into some good ones and
has settled for the show spot each time. Her third place effort
here is deceptively good, because the top two finishers are cut
out to be nice. I’d watch her intently, especially at a mile or
more.
10th — SEASIDE SALUTE (Sea Salute) was at least five-wide
around the entire backstretch and did well to get third in here,
four clear of his nearest pursuer. A decent post and sensible
trip should place him in the winners’ circle before long.
Sunday (9/19)
6th — GOLDEN LOOK (Arch) didn’t do himself any favors while
running four wide for most of the race here for Shug McGaughey.
The feeling here is that this colt could be very nice, and should
appreciate more ground as he matures. His dam is a half-sister to
the millionaire and current stallion Coronado’s Quest (Forty
Niner).
A Look Ahead
The plethora of stakes action slows a bit at the Long Island
track, with only a pair of graded events on tap next weekend. On
Saturday, the $150,000 Noble Damsel H. (G3) for fillies and mares
on the lawn will headline the racing. Also on Saturday, the $100,000
Ashley Cole H., a nine furlong turf fray, will take place.
Sunday is led by the $200,000 Jamaica H. (G2), a 1 1/8 mile
turf race restricted to three-year-olds. Earlier on the card, the
$100,000 Schenectady H. will be contested for Empire State-bred
fillies and mares on the main track going six panels.