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MONMOUTH NOTEBOOK JULY 9, 2010 by Tom Cassidy There were 48 races run over the holiday weekend with the United Nations (G1) highlighting the four-day race week, and the big event was captured by CHINCHON (Ire) (Marju), who was impressive and convincing in victory. After settling last, Chinchon swung out near the top of the lane and blew past his rivals, recording a 114 BRIS Late Pace rating. The five-year-old horse could be a serious factor if he shows up in Kentucky come November's Breeders' Cup. The weekend started off with a 12-race card Friday afternoon, and overall, the track played fair with winners coming from both on and off the pace. There were three turf events with two of those contests run at five furlongs and the other around two turns. The sprints were divided amongst a front-running victress named SPITEFUL GYPSY (Speightstown), who was trying the lawn for the first time and is added to our Horses-to-Watch List, and a stalker. The lone two-turn turf event was won by a stalker. It was a tough afternoon for the betting public as there were only two winning favorites, and the Pick-5 paid more than $28,000. Saturday's dirt races were won by a mix of stalking-type runners and front-runners, but all four turf event were won from off the pace, including the aforementioned United Nations. Favorites were successful in three races, all which came during the Pick 5 sequence, and the popular wager returned $4,411.95. The rail on the main track appeared to be advantageous Sunday afternoon as many of the winners raced on that portion of the track. As for the lawn, there were no wire-to-wire winners as the four turf events were won from either a stalking position or off the pace. It was a big day for both Jose Lezcano and John Velazquez, who both notched four wins. It paid to be close to the early lead on the dirt on Monday with most of the main oval races captured by front-runners. The most impressive winner on the afternoon was GUNFIGHTER (Iron Deputy), who effortlessly trounced his rivals going wire-to-wire by nine lengths. The lone front-running winner on the green was FANTASTICO ROBERTO (Ire) (Refuse to Bend [Ire]), a Todd Pletcher trainee who captured the $100,000 Choice S. HORSES TO WATCH Friday (7/2) 10TH -- SPITEFUL GYPSY took to the lawn, winning her turf debut convincingly, and may have found her niche. Saturday (7/3) 10TH -- CHINCHON could be a serious contender come championship weekend at Churchill Downs in November. Monday (7/5) 7TH -- GUNFIGHTER was never asked while leaving his nearest rival nine lengths behind in an easy victory.
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