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BELMONT NOTEBOOK MAY 2, 2013 by John Mucciolo A Grade 3 event with some fine handicap runners topped the opening weekend of racing at Belmont Park. Westchester S. (G3): Preston Stables LLC's FLAT OUT (Flatter) ran down a clear leader in the stretch to post a fine head win on this occasion under Junior Alvarado. The Bill Mott charge finished off the one-mile feature on the fast main oval in a sensational 1:32 4/5. Track Stats A total of 30 races were held over Elmont, New York, venue, with favorites winning at a 27 percent rate and the top two betting choices combining for 60 percent of the wins during the week. From 17 races on the main oval, six animals won in wire-to-wire fashion (35 percent), while one of the 13 races on the lawn were taken all the way on the front (8 percent). The main oval produced four wire-to-wire winners from six races on Friday, but only two over the weekend. With that said, three of the four were favored at post time, so we can't call it a bias. This main oval is often the fairest strip in racing with its wide turns, and we wouldn't hesitate playing any kind of runner here. The lone wire job on the lawn came on the inner oval in a sprint. We still prefer stalkers and closers on this turf, except when it gets wet, which seems to level the playing field so to speak. Meet Totals
HORSES TO WATCH Friday (4/26) 1ST -- The Todd Pletcher-trained READ THE RESEARCH (Freud) ran huge on this occasion in a powerful allowance score under Javier Castellano. The four-year-old filly led throughout and was under a hand ride late in posting a mile while getting her final quarter-mile in a swift :24 2/5. The filly will be a major player. 6TH -- SHERTZER (Proud Citizen) couldn't catch the top duo but did finish a very nice third in here while 14 lengths clear of the rest of the field. The Bobby Barbara trainee could surely improve and be a big player next time out if placed with similar. 7TH -- EXULTATION (Kitten's Joy) was tardy at the start and last after the opening quarter-mile, yet the Christophe Clement pupil still got involved late before blowing past this field by 3 3/4 lengths in a superb debut showing. The sophomore gelding could be any type and seems to be in good hands. Saturday (4/27) 4TH -- Clement saddled what we could have been the most impressive score of the opening weekend with BELLA CASTANI (Big Brown), who rated behind a tepid pace but still rushed by her foes going last-to-first in a powerful stakes score. The sophomore lass came home in a wicked :22 3/5 and seems poised to have a big 2013 ahead of her. 6TH -- OLDWICK (Street Boss) could not have impressed us much more in this debut score for trainer Todd Pletcher, and we expect the three-year-old to be a real nice one following this run. The Kentucky-bred colt spotted the even-money choice two lengths early, but wore him down late in a professional run. He's a nice prospect. 9TH -- Flat Out proved both his affinity for the Belmont main strip, and his versatility, by winning a one-turn race here in near stakes-record time. The seven-year-old is something of a throwback and we hopes he keeps form until he concludes his racing career. Sunday (4/28) 4TH -- WABBAJACK (Midnight Lute) broke through in this one after a few placings, and really looked the part for conditioner James Toner when drawing clear late. The intriguing sophomore colt tracked a solid tempo and came home fairly swiftly, getting his final five-sixteenths in a strong :30 3/5. He could evolve into a stakes performer with expected improvement. A Look Ahead Saturday will play host to both the Grade 3, $150,000 Fort Marcy Stakes, as well as the Grade 3, $150,000 Beaugay Stakes.
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