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BELMONT NOTEBOOK MAY 16, 2013 by John Mucciolo A Grade 2 event for Belmont Stakes hopefuls topped the third weekend of racing at Belmont Park. Peter Pan S. (G2): West Point Thoroughbreds et al's FREEDOM CHILD (Malibu Moon) zipped to the front soon after the start and increased his lead at every call in eventually posting a 13 1/4-length romp under Luis Saez. The Tom Albertrani-trained sophomore went nine panels on the sloppy, sealed main oval in 1:49 in posting his first stakes score. Track Stats A total of 47 races were held at the Elmont, New York, venue, with favorites winning at a 42 percent rate and the top two betting choices combining for 64 percent of the wins during the week. From 45 races on the main oval, 15 animals won in wire-to-wire fashion (33 percent), while none of the two races on the lawn were taken all the way on the front. Speed was fine on two days during the week, as it often is when the main oval is sloppy and sealed. Wednesday saw four horses lead at every call and the first six winners on the card sitting first or second by the half-mile mark. In addition, Saturday had seven wire-to-wire winners from 10 races, including at least three blowout scores. Meet Totals
HORSES TO WATCH Wednesday (5/8) 6TH -- SACRED SUCCESS (Officer) never could get to the sharp winner in this one, but the four-year-old filly was second throughout and finished up pretty well off the short layoff. We think Leah Gyarmati claimed a decent one in here, and we'll tab the filly for a big run in her return. 8TH -- The gelded sophomore IRSAAL (More Than Ready) was last after the opening half-mile in this compact field but flew home to post a convincing two-length score in here for trainer Kiaran McLaughlin. The well-bred three-year-old got his final five-sixteenths in :31 2/5 and should be capable of getting more ground in the future. Thursday (5/9) 3RD -- The David Jacobson-trained SCOTUS (Successful Appeal) tracked the pace, swept into contention in early stretch and came home powerfully to top this group under Cornelio Velasquez. The five-year-old came home very fast and is in very good form right now. 7TH -- TENANGO (Lion Heart) returns to this list following a 12 3/4-length romp today for Jacobson. The gelded sophomore made easy work a field we liked a bit, and consider this one a major factor coming back, possibly in the stakes ranks. Friday (5/10) 3RD -- The busy Jacobson made a smart claim out of this one with RIGBY (Speightstown), who is much too good for this level when he's right. The six-year-old finished off six panels in 1:09 4/5 while never really roused in the lane, and if placed with similar next time, the Kentucky-bred should roll once again. 6TH -- The incredibly consistent DEANALLEN'SKITTEN (Kitten's Joy) ran her 10th straight race when finishing in first or second with a stylish win in this spot for trainer Chad Brown. The six-year-old was last behind a slow early pace but still ran past these like a stakes mare, dominating late and earning a 107 Late Pace number. She's a gem. Saturday (5/11) 6TH -- ACCELERARE (Unbrilded's Song) was caught chasing lone speed in this tricky debut spot and battled on well late to be third for Todd Pletcher. The sophomore colt was racing at a tricky distance for a first time starter and didn't have the best voyage, so we'll tab this one for big improvement next time, possibly on the cut back. Sunday (5/12) 6TH -- The priceless SAGINAW (Peruvian) proved his class and heart once again, holding off a stern test for the duration of the stretch in a superb show of courage for Jacobson. The multiple stakes winner continues to shine and we see no end in sight of his consistently great performances on this circuit. A Look Ahead The Grade 2, $200,000 Vagrancy Handicap on Saturday is the lone graded race to be run at Belmont Park this weekend.
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