Belmont Notebook

BELMONT NOTEBOOK

SEPTEMBER 21, 2005

by Bernard T. Moore

Once again, Belmont Park presented races this past weekend that will almost

certainly have Breeders' Cup implications. One should note that Belmont Park

boasts one of the more quirkier dirt surfaces in the country, and a strong

recent effort over it is a big plus when handicapping the World Thoroughbred

Championships next month.

PRIVATE VOW (Broken Vow), who was inexplicably bet down to 4-5 favoritism in

the Futurity S. (G2) on Saturday, certainly lived up to his advanced billing as

he dominated the competition en route to his impressive nine-length victory. The

Steve Asmussen trainee remained unbeaten with jockey Jerry Bailey at the

controls as the pair overpowered the early pacesetters around the far turn and

subsequently went on to score by daylight. Changing Weather (Storm Boot)

contested the pace from the outset and continued on well once displaced on the

lead while clearly second best. Dixiewink (Dixie Union) closed belatedly for the

show and was never a serious threat. Master of Disaster (Dance Master), the 2-1

second choice, held the lead until the far turn, and then proceeded to retreat

badly in a disappointing effort.

Immediately after the field broke from the gate in the Futurity, Disco's Son

(Disco Rico) unseated jockey Javier Castellano. Disco's Son, without a pilot,

remained along the inside rail as the rest of the field took to the outer the

paths to avoid incident.

Young, lightly raced horses have a tendency to improve by leaps and bounds

with experience. However, I am sure that not even the connections of FOLKLORE (Tiznow)

were prepared for her dominant effort in the Matron S. (G1) as the Lewis'

homebred runner went on to crush the field by 14 lengths. Folklore had seized

the lead by the time the field reached the half-mile marker, and from that point

on, increased her advantage willingly to achieve a lopsided score. Miss Norman

(Artax) clunked up to take second by a head, outfinishing Along the Sea (Aness),

who was a bad actor in the starting gate and prolonged the loading process.

India (Hennessy), who was backed down to even-money, flashed early speed and

then began dropping back in the vicinity off the far turn. Todd Pletcher, who

saddled the favorite, stated that India became a bit unnerved when Along the Sea

delayed the start and was bleeding while making noises when she returned to be

unsaddled.

SMOKEY GLACKEN (Forestry) was able to set a modest pace with a lack of much

early speed. As a result, she was able to make every pole a winning one while

annexing the Floral Park H. (G3). Handled expertly on the lead by John

Velazquez, she responded willingly when the field began closing in around the

far turn. She was able to scamper away from the competition, completing the next

furlong in a rapid 11 4/5 seconds, dashing the hopes of her five rivals for a

victory. She secured a daylight lead once again and was well within herself as

she finished two lengths in front of Areek (Deputy Minister), who kept her

honest in deep stretch. Baldomera (Doneraile Court) closed from last place

to finish third. Molto Vita (Carson City), a close second choice in the betting,

chased the pace to the turn, but lacked a sufficient response when called upon

and reported home fifth.

On Sunday, New York-bred runners were in the spotlight as the Schenectady H.

and the Ashley T. Cole H. were contested.

The old adage, "Patience is a virtue," certainly rang true for the

connections of TRAVELATOR (A. P Jet). The five-year-old mare was cross-entered

in the Floral Park the previous day, but they elected to declare her from that

race and run her instead against state-breds in the Schenectady. That decision

reaped dividends when Travelator closed strongly in deep stretch to win the

six-furlong sprint by a neck.

Under Rafael Bejarano, the winner was saddled with a five-length deficit with

only an eighth of a mile remaining in the race. But she was resolute in her

pursuit of the leader and got up late to win. The second-place finisher, High

Peaks (Peaks and Valleys), was an unlucky loser to be sure. She held a sizeable

advantage in midstretch and appeared home free. However, she began

weakening in the final furlong and the wire just didn't appear soon enough to

save her. Royal Fudge (Carson City) closed belatedly to take down the show. Travelator's next

appearance is slated to occur on October 22 in the Iroquois H. Long range plans

call for her to enter the sales this fall.

CERTIFIABLY CRAZY (Fit to Fight), making his first start for trainer Richard

Schosberg, certainly made it a memorable one with an authoritative 4

1/4-length victory in the grassy Ashley T. Cole. The winner had his head in front

by the time the field negotiated six furlongs, and from that point on, proceeded

to increase his advantage while finishing strongly, getting the last eighth of

mile in a rapid :12.29. Continental Reins finished well to take down the

place as Gryffindor closed with a purpose for third. Dave (Ends Wells), the

co-second choice in the betting, broke slowly from his outside post and was

never a serious threat while checking in fifth in a lethargic effort.

A tentative strategy calls for Certifiably Crazy to compete next in the

Mohawk H. on New York Showcase Day, which will be held on October 22.

Edgar Prado unseated Bailey as the leading rider, as Velazquez moved into

third place last week. Eibar Coa assumed the fourth spot on the list and Mike

Luzzi and Cornelio Velasquez are currently tied for fifth.

Bruce Levine enjoyed an incredible week and is currently saddling winners at

a unbelievable 50 percent clip. Bill Mott, Richard Dutrow Jr., Pletcher and Gary

Contessa are locked in a four-way battle for the second spot in the trainer

standings.

The main track favored speed on both Friday and Saturday. That bias all but

disappeared on Sunday.

When grass racing was conducted, there did not appear to be any discernible

trends on either course.

No particular paths on dirt appeared preferable.

Horses to Watch

Wednesday (9/14)

3RD – ADMIRALTY ISLAND (A.P. Indy) showed a huge improvement in his second

start for Frankel. The sophomore disputed the early fractions and held well, yielding only to

the odds-on wining favorite in a swiftly run contest.

5TH – HUDSON VALLEY (Peaks and Valleys) was a strong second back on grass.

Closed with good energy from off the pace in a race that quickened late.

7TH – LONE TREE (Exploit) was a good third in her turf debut off the shelf.

Overcame a tough outside post to stalk then set the pace and held well late.

Should benefit from initial grass experience.

Thursday (9/15)

8TH – LILA PAIGE (Cryptoclearance) was clearly second best on the class hike

to an impressive winning favorite in the mud. Fits well at this level or in a

high-level claimer.

9TH – MAGIC BELLE (Gold Case) has obvious distance limitations having failed

twice in two route attempts. Would be best served if returned to a sprint.

Friday (9/16)

5TH – WAR MARSHALL (A.P. Indy) manhandled restricted claimers making his first

start for a selling price. He immediately seized the lead and drew away at will.

Can win right back if properly spotted off that effort.

7TH – R B'S TOKEN (Gold Token) might not have cared for the wet track while

stalking a fast pace. Lacked a response in the stretch when called upon.

Deserves another chance over a dry course.

Saturday (9/17)

3RD – SKAGWAY (Seeking the Gold) showed a much-improved effort returning to

Belmont Park, his favorite track. Held well chasing, then forcing the pace,

before yielding only to a perfect trip, odds-on winning favorite.

5TH – RONDO (Grand Slam) had a sharp effort in well bet/well meant debut.

Awaited racing room around the far turn while full of run. Finally angled out to

split horses and closed gamely to finish second by less than a length. Won't be

a maiden long if given time to recoup from this strenuous effort.

10TH - BLUESMASTER (Badge) showed a dramatic turnaround making his first

start off a prolonged layoff switching to Dutrow. Exhibited much improved speed

to stalk the early pace while pinned down along the rail. Finished with interest

along the inside late. Should improve with added distance.

Sunday (9/18)

5TH – SILVESTRIS (Forest Wildcat) was much improved in her second career

start. Set a quick and pressured pace to midstretch and then proceeded to tire

in a swiftly run contest. Might be set for a career best effort in her third

start.

9TH – CONTINENTAL REINS (Tomorrows Cat) continued his forward level of

progression since switched to turf. Was a sharp second stepping up into a New

York-bred stake. Finished with good energy late. Remains eligible for an open

company preliminary allowance contest.