BELMONT NOTEBOOK
JUNE 30, 2011
by John Mucciolo
A pair of fillies earned their first graded win over the weekend
at Belmont Park.
Mother Goose S. (G1): The Estate of Edward Evans’
homebred BUSTER’S READY (More Than Ready) took command nearing the final turn
and cruised home to a facile, 4 1/4-length win for Todd Pletcher. The rapidly
improving sophomore filly got 1 1/16 miles on the dirt oval in 1:42 2/5 under
John Velazquez.
New York S. (G2): Newsells Park Stud’s GIANTS PLAY
(Giant’s Causeway) set the early pace and battled gamely to the wire in posting
a head decision under Rajiv Maragh. The blue-blooded four-year-old filly got 1
1/4 miles on the firm inner turf in 2:04 3/5 for Christophe Clement.
Track Stats
A total of 47 races were held over Elmont, New York, venue, with
favorites winning at a 53 percent rate and the top two betting choices combining
for 66 percent of the wins. From 23 races on the main oval, four animals won in
wire-to-wire fashion (17 percent) and eight runners led at every call on the
lawn from 24 races (33 percent).
Speed carried well on both turf ovals, with four wire jobs
coming both on the main and inner turf surfaces. The balance was also shown with
four grassy sprint winners (two on each oval), and four route winners (two on
each surface) on the lawn.
Meet Totals
| RACES: | 392 | |
| DIRT: | 219 | |
| TURF: | 173 | |
| FAVORITES: | 151 (38 percent) | |
| 2ND CHOICES: | 92 (23 percent) | |
| TURF WIRE: | 34 (20 percent) | |
| DIRT WIRE: | 59 (27 percent) |
HORSES TO WATCH
Wednesday (6/22)
2ND — The well-bred FIRE WITH FIRE (Distorted Humor) showed
vast improvement here with a runaway win for trainer Bill Mott. The sophomore
colt could be very dangerous right back as he appears to have figured it out.
Thursday (6/23)
4TH — BUD WHITE (Officer) took over early and never stopped in
this one in posting a sensational 17 3/4-length maiden conquer. The
three-year-old didn’t come home all that fast and could be overbet next time off
of this margin, but he is surely one to be reckoned with, nonetheless.
7TH — GAMBLING GERALDINE (Wildcat Heir) was never getting the
winner in here, but the Pletcher trainee was clear in second in another useful
try. The consistent miss will always be a threat as she keeps her good form.
8TH — GANTRY (Pulpit) was a powerful winner in this turf dash
for Michael Hushion and the stakes-quality four-year-old could move up even more
next out as this was his first since November. The gelding ran fast, also,
setting a new course mark on the inner lawn in a ridiculous 1:06 4/5.
Friday (6/24)
4TH — BORN BULLISH (Holy Bull) was a dominant, nine-length
debut winner here for John Terranova, and the filly will surely show up in a
stakes race next out. The well-bet filly was no secret here and could be any
kind.
Saturday (6/25)
9TH — We thought we’d see more out of JOYFUL VICTORY (Tapit) in
here, but we’re willing to give her another chance and look forward to see her
stretching out in distance.
A Look Ahead
A superb Holiday Weekend of racing will take place at Belmont.
The $300,000 Suburban H. (G2) kicks off things on Saturday along with the
$150,000 Dwyer S. (G2). The Sunday co-features are the $150,000 Futurity S. (G2)
and $150,000 Matron S. (G2), while the $250,000 Prioress S. (G1) is the July 4
headliner.