Belmont Notebook

BELMONT PARK NOTEBOOK

MAY 29, 2010

by Albie Johnson

Tempo is beginning to pick-up around here with the threat of the cessation of

racing a thing of the past. The anticipation of Monday's Metropolitan H. (G1),

which is headed by Quality Road (Elusive Quality), made things a bit on the

upside after a lot of uncertainty in the past several weeks.

Last week's lone graded event, the $150,000 Sheepshead Bay S.(G2) for older

fillies and mares, attracted a field of seven for the 1 3/8-mile contest on the

inner-turf course. The group was a curious one for the level with several of the

lightly-raced variety and others coming back from layoffs. Neither of those

scenarios fit TREAT GENTLY (GB) (Cape Cross [Ire]), who came to this country

last year with some impressive credentials having won a Group 3 and placed in a

pair of important Group 2 contests in France.

Slow pace was set by Pari (Sky Classic) intently tracked by Treat Gently and

that's the way they remained until midway through the far turn when the latter

made an easy move past the front runner. She opened up by mid-stretch and

coasted home to a 4 1/2-length score over veteran New York-bred Nehantic Kat

(Tomorrows Cat), who out-gamed race favorite Bubbly Jane (Brz) (Yagli) by a nose

for the place spot.

The winning mare had not run well in her last pair, both Grade 2s, but had

faced decidedly much tougher fields in both of those contests.

Juddmonte Farms bred the winner and she also races in their colors, while

Bill Mott gave a leg-up to his main-rider Kent Desormeaux.

The following day was highlighted by a pair of impressive sophomore maiden

winners, one colt and one filly.

First up came FLAWLESS (Mr. Greeley), a three-year-old homebred filly from

the small but quality Peter Blum operation, and she had been rumored to be a

runner ever since shipping here from Payson Park where she was prepared by

trainer Bill Mott this past winter.

She broke on top and when challenged briefly midway through the turn,

Flawless responded to a bit of pressure from jockey Kent Desormeaux and with her

ears pricked drew away late under light encouragement to report home by 13 1/4

lengths with a final time of 1:23.71 for the seven panels. A very sharp

performance by a debuting runner of either sex.

Two races later, the regally-bred SAFETY CHECK (Empire Maker out of champion

sprinter Safely Kept) also was an easy maiden winner at seven furlongs, breaking

on top in the small field of five and increasing his margin at every pole to win

by seven lengths in 1:22.99.

The winner was trained by Alan Goldberg, who also bred the colt at his Jayeff

Farms.

Both of these runners have a lot of promise and it will be interesting to see

if either has a rating gear in their next starts.

Track conditions

Fast and firm on all days but Wednesday when the track was muddy and sealed

and the turf course was yielding.

It was very difficult to close from off the pace on the main track as those

on the lead or in stalking spots won the majority of the races. Both turf

courses continued to play fairly.

HORSES TO WATCH

Wednesday (5/19)

2ND -- Making only his third start since April 2009 and first ever in a

claimer, TAPIT'S BREW (Tapit) chased the eventual winner until inside the eighth

pole when he tired slightly and lost the place spot late. Encouraging run for

colt who showed some promise back in 2008.

Thursday (5/20)

1ST -- Racing with blinkers on and running for the first time since early

December, UNDER THE RAINBOW (Friends Lake) was up and on the pace throughout

this first-level allowance for state-breds and held stubbornly to finish third

in a three-horse "blanket" photo. Any move forward next out should be good

enough.

2ND -- The quickly-improving MINESWEPT (Mineshaft) was very impressive in

this maiden victory as he was hard-held early, took over on his own power and

just left them "in the dust," winning by 9 1/4 lengths. He's become a much

better runner since he began running longer and looks like an "up and comer" in

state-bred stakes down the line.

Friday (5/21)

2ND -- Three year-old maiden filly FLORIDA GIRL (Alajwad) finished a very

good second in this spot to a heavy favorite. She stumbled at the start,

recovered to set the pace and held gamely for the place once passed by the

winner. Next time.

Saturday (5/22)

3RD -- HOOPOE (Birdstone) ran his best race since breaking his maiden at

Saratoga last summer in a solid performance. Racing for the first time since

early January, he tracked early from the three-four path, rallied nicely turning

for home but was no match for a much-the-best winning favorite, easily finishing

second best. Nice race off the layoff.

7TH -- Making her first start since winning her debut at Aqueduct on March

26, TEAM PLAN (Saarland) recorded a rallying second after being involved in a

"bumping" incident on the far turn. Game effort for filly who has shown a lot in

her two appearances.

Upcoming stakes

Saturday (5/29): The Vagrancy (G2), 3&up, f&m, 6 1/2f

Monday (5/31): The Metropolitan H. (G1), 3 & up, one-mile; Sands Point (G2), 3yo

fillies, 1 1/8 miles (turf)

Have a Nice week!!