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.