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BELMONT NOTEBOOK OCTOBER 12, 2005 by Bernard T. Moore The steady stream of Breeder's Cup prep races continued last weekend at Belmont Park as the big day inches closer. Trainers, hoping to get their horses to peak in the World Thoroughbred Championships, continually use these contests to put the finishing touches on their preparation, with the hope that their prized pupils will be at their absolute best for racing's richest day. On paper, the outcome of the Champagne S. (G1) appeared to be a replay of the Hopeful S. (G1) at Saratoga in August, with FIRST SAMURAI (Giant's Causeway) taking the measure of Henny Hughes (Hennessy) once again. And, as it turns out, it played out exactly that way on the racetrack with First Samurai edging away from Henny Hughes in the stretch to win by 2 3/4 lengths. The winner, trained by Frank Brothers, dropped back after an alert beginning. He then split horses to reach a contending position down the backstretch as the eventual runner-up tracked the hot pace carved out by Too Much Bling (Rubiano), who added blinkers for this contest. With the six furlongs completed in an extremely quick 1:08.75 over the glib surface, Too Much Bling was the first to throw in the towel as Henny Hughes assumed the lead with First Samurai just to his outside. The pair quickly distanced themselves from the field upon entering the stretch, with First Samurai going a bit better of the two in the final sixteenth of a mile to keep his unblemished record intact. Henny Hughes had to be satisfied with second money, finishing about what seemed to be a furlong ahead of Superfly (Fusaichi Pegasus) who outlasted the others for the show. Too Much Bling gave way badly over the sloppy track to finish a well-beaten fifth. First Samurai was extremely professional in victory, failing to exhibit any tendencies to lug in which had been so prevalent in his prior victories. This triumph stamps him as the clear cut favorite for the Breeders' Cup Juvenile (G1), which he is sure to compete in with the provision that he comes out of the Champagne in good order. ADIEU (El Corredor), the lone graded stakes winner in the Frizette S. (G1), demonstrated her superiority in the stretch, repelling the strong rally of Along the Sea (Anees) to score by two lengths. She was hustled away from the gate from her rail post to dispute the pace down the backstretch. After disposing of the other speed on the far turn, she was able to withstand a late rally from the runner-up in midstretch and proceeded to draw clear once again at the finish as she was ridden to perfection by jockey John Velazquez. Along The Sea, who was a distant second to Folklore in the Matron S. (G1), flattered that rivals' victory with such a strong outing on Saturday. Keeneland Kat (Hennessy) loomed a dangerous presence while improving her position on the turn and into the stretch, but failed to sustain her rally and finished third. Belmont Park was deluged with rain from Friday night into Saturday, and as a result, the Jamaica H. (G3), originally intended for grass, was transferred to a sloppy main track. WATCHMON (Maria's Mon) took full advantage of the switch in surfaces to outfinish Crown Point (Honor Grades) by 1 3/4 lengths. This was the first graded stakes success for the winner, who has come to hand nicely since returning to the races off his debacle in the Belmont S. (G1). Woodlander (Forestry) set a modest pace on the front and tired badly once displaced on the lead. Sunday's main event at Belmont Park was the Gallant Bloom H. (G2) for fillies and mares three-years-old and up sprinting 6 1/2 furlongs. On Saturday, favorites ruled supreme in all three stakes contests. That would not be the case in the Gallant Bloom as UMPATEEDLE (Suave Prospect) outgamed the even-money favorite, Smokey Glacken (Forestry), by a nose in a stirring stretch battle to eke out a victory at odds of 10-1. Both runners were prominent from the start with Smokey Glacken going a little better early on to assume the early lead. The winner, ridden by jockey Aaron Gryder, moved in earnest to challenge the pacesetter leaving the far turn, and they raced heads apart at the eighth-pole. There was little to chose between the two rivals in deep stretch with Umpateedle reaching to wire first to win by a scant nose. Travelator (A. P Jet) finished with good energy to claim the show in a creditable effort, beaten 2 1/2 lengths under less than ideal circumstances. The third-place finisher lacked racing room behind ordinary fractions down the backstretch. And, once she was able to secure clear sailing in the stretch, was not able to muster the necessary rally to make an impact as the pace quickened. The Pebbles, a race for three-year-old fillies at a flat mile, originally scheduled for the Widener Turf course, was yet another grass race that was washed to the main track. CAYUGA'S WATERS (Langfuhr) was bet down to 7-5 favoritism in the field primarily because of her excellent wet track record, sporting two wins and a second-place finish from just three starts over wet surfaces. This time the favorite did not disappoint as Cayuga's Waters held on in deep stretch under jockey Jerry Bailey to come out on top by a neck. Trained by Bill Mott, the New York-bred rated nicely on the front end under Bailey, and as a result, was able to withstand the late rally of Wait It Out (Swain), who was cutting into her deficit with each and every stride. Quail Run (Wagon Limit), with just a maiden special weight score to her credit, finished evenly for third. A major disappoint in the Pebbles was Ready's Gal (More Than Ready). The Todd Pletcher-trained sophomore placed in the Frizette over the Belmont Park main track last fall, but barely picked up her feet off a layoff. It should be noted that both of her victories in 2005 have come on grass. Edgar Prado remains atop the jockey standings, with Velazquez holding onto second-place. Bailey, Eibar Coa and Javier Castellano complete the top five. Mott leads Pletcher by just a single victory in the race for leading trainer. Richard Dutrow Jr., Bruce Levine and Gary Contessa are tied for the third spot on the list. The main track played quite fairly when racing resumed on Wednesday. It remained that way until Saturday, when the rains came. From that point on, speed runners dominated the results in both sprints and routes. There was no pronounced bias on either turf course when in use. There did not appear to be any distinguishable path bias all week. HORSES TO WATCH Wednesday (10/5) 8TH - DEPUTY INDY (A.P. Indy) was a good second switching back to dirt. Showed much improved to speed to stalk the early pace and continued on well in the stretch. Might benefit from a cutback in distance as he won his career debut at seven furlongs. Thursday (10/6) 4TH - ABBE'S CHESTNUT (Horse Chestnut [SAf]) was a good second dropping off a layoff. Responded well to rating tactics and finished with good energy late to be 2nd best. Fits well at his current class level. 6TH - KRUNCHER (Siphon) showed a dramatic turnaround switching back to grass. Recaptured his early speed to dispute the winner's pace around the far turn but weakened under pressure. Has room to improve off this effort. Friday (10/7) 1ST - PROSPEROUS QUEEN (Fortunate Prospect) displayed dramatic form reversal tackling older rivals. Held gamely vying for the lead to finish second vs. an older, more accomplished odds-on winner who adores Belmont Park. Look for a return effort against straight three-year-olds. 2ND - QUICK WITTED (Distorted Humor) was clearly a tad short in his well bet unveiling. Disputed the pace to the stretch before tiring. Bred to win early in his career. Saturday (10/8) 3RD - MORE HECK (Mt. Livermore) continues to perform well despite racing a bit over his head. Stepped up to the 25K level and was a heart-breaking second after disputing the pace throughout. Would obviously benefit from a little class relief. 9TH – Too Much Bling set an excruciatingly hot and pressured pace with the addition of blinkers. Held well to the far turn before retreating. Remains eligible for a preliminary allowance contest and appears to have distance limitations. Sunday (10/9) 6TH – NOTHING BUT K'S (Flame Thrower) finished a creditable second in his well bet career debut. Stalked the early pace but proved no match in the stretch to a Nick Zito trained firster who "freaked." Should improve with experience and more distance. 8TH – Travelator came home a strong third tackling open company rivals in a Grade 2 stakes. Hindered by a bit of a slow start. Pinned along the inside stalking a slow pace down the backstretch. Failed to muster the necessary rally when the race quickened late. Needs only clear sailing and a better pace scenario to get back on the winning track. Monday (10/10) 4TH – PRETTY PROUD (Mr. Greeley) had a useful effort in her well bet debut. Raced wide but closed with good energy against the grain of a speed biased track. Appears to want more distance. 8TH – Quail Run was an even third tackling winners for the first time. Chased a fast pace and finished with interest over the main track. Well suited to a preliminary allowance field on either turf or dirt.
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