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BELMONT NOTEBOOK MAY 30, 2013 by John Mucciolo A handful of fine graded races topped the huge holiday weekend at Belmont Park. Metropolitan H. (G1): Trainer Jerry Hollendorfer and Kim Lloyd's SAHARA SKY (Pleasant Tap) was last early but put in a sustained late rally to get up by a nose late in this feature beneath Joel Rosario. This five-year-old California invader sped one mile on the fast main strip in 1:34 in posting his first Grade 1 tally. Ogden Phipps S. (G1): Cresran LLC's homebred TIZ MIZ SUE (Tiznow) sat behind a speed duel under Joe Rocco Jr., moved to the fore in midstretch and inched clear to a half-length tally for conditioner Steve Hobby. The six-year-old mare went 1 1/6 miles on the fast main oval in 1:40 4/5 to garner her initial Grade 1 win. Acorn S. (G1): Watson, Weitman and Pegram's MIDNIGHT LUCKY (Midnight Lute) took the lead prior to the turn for home and dusted her rivals in the lane, spurting clear by 6 1/4 lengths under the guidance of Rosie Napravnik. The superb sophomore filly stopped the timer in 1:35 for the one-mile affair for trainer Bob Baffert. Sands Point S. (G2): Patricia Generazio's homebred DISCREET MARQ (Discreet Cat) led as the gates opened and stayed in front throughout en route to a three-quarters of a length tally in this spot under Jose Lezcano. Trained by Christophe Clement, the sophomore filly strode 1 1/16 miles on the firm turf in 1:42 2/5 as the nearly 3-1 second choice. Sheepshead Bay S. (G2): Richard Santulli's TANNERY (Dylan Thomas) made a big move entering and through the stretch and maintained a one-length edge to the wire in here beneath Luis Saez. The 10-1 shot endured 1 3/8 miles on the soft turf oval in 2:20 for conditioner Alan Goldberg. Track Stats A total of 58 races were held over Elmont, New York, venue, with favorites winning at a 31 percent rate and the top two betting choices combining for 50 percent of the wins during the week. From 36 races on the main oval, seven animals won in wire-to-wire fashion (19 percent), while four of the 22 races on the lawn were taken all the way on the front (18 percent). Of the four turf wire jobs, three of those came on the inner oval, two in routes and one in a dash. The other winner leading all the way on the lawn came in a sprint on the outer oval. And we're not sure if it is worth mentioning, but three turf wire jobs occurred on Monday from six races, while just one came through in that running fashion from 16 events throughout the week prior to that. The main oval saw wire-to-wire winners from the rail, last-to-first winners from the widest post, and just about everything in between. We'd conclude it was mostly fair during the week on the dirt. Meet Totals
HORSES TO WATCH Wednesday (5/22) 1ST -- The Christophe Clement-trained MAXIMOVA (Danehill Dancer) put in a furious late rally to go last to first in a stylish allowance win in this affair on the lawn. The sophomore filly topped a fairly solid field here in style and should evolve into a stakes performer soon. This sophomore got her final five-sixteenths in a sensational :28 1/5! Thursday (5/23) 6TH -- SOUPER SPEEDY (Indian Charlie) showed vast improvement in his second showing off the pine in here with a sensational 10 1/4-length romp under Jose Lezcano. The four-year-old colt didn't beat the deepest field in the world but the way he glided past his rivals was visually impressive for conditioner Tom Albertrani. 8TH -- Trainer Carlos Martin could have made a fine claim on race winner SING DIXIE SING (Dixie Union) in this one, as the filly was never challenged in leading all the way. We'll tab the four-year-old for success if she runs with similar right back. Friday (5/24) 2ND -- We don't see many roll home on the lawn by 11 lengths here, so we'll take special note of CAPTAIN GAUGHEN (Disco Rico), who accelerated like a good thing to dismantle this group. Trainer Jimmy Ryerson could have a good one on his hands. 3RD -- TEMECULA CREEK (Gulch) returns to this list after coming back in just six days and winning again, once again rallying late and pulling away under the wire. The nine-year-old continues to rack up tallies on this circuit. Saturday (5/25) 9TH -- ROMANSH (Bernardini) topped an off-the-turf field in this one with a strong late run on the muddy, sealed oval, and his final five-sixteenths time a strong :30 2/5. The Tom Albertrani seems to be coming to hand and could have a productive summer with expected improvement. A stretch-out in distance also makes sense for the sophomore colt. Sunday (5/26) 3RD -- The well-bred CLEARBROOK (Smart Strike) went very wide but still inched clear late in a very nice debut score for conditioner Bill Mott. This sophomore miss has excellent bloodlines and connections, and we expect her to be a good one going forward. Monday (5/27) 6TH -- EASTWOOD (Speightstown) was live on the tote and ran up to that billing with a stylish debut win today for trainer Michael Mareina, beating a potentially good field in the process. The sophomore colt traveled fairly wide the whole time and still eased past this group, stopping the timer in a strong 1:09 4/5 under Saez. We surely will keep an eye on this one, especially if he takes the next logical step into the allowance ranks. 8TH -- AUTHENTICITY (Quiet American) was part of a fast pace and gamely battle on late in a very nice runner-up showing in here for Todd Pletcher. The six-year-old mare has run a pair of big ones in succession and we'll keep an eye on her all summer since she is so sharp right now. 9TH -- While she may have some distance limitations, MIDNIGHT LUCKY (Midnight Lute) is a dynamic performer that could be as good as any other sophomore filly in training in what is a very deep field of ladies. She does things effortlessly while humbling some nice horses in the process. 10TH -- MARK VALESKI (Proud Citizen) made a menacing move nearing the top of the lane before being out kicked in the lane and finishing fourth, but we loved this race for the Larry Jones trainee. Expect the four-year-old to improve off of this when sent longer next time, in a race and pace that will suit his style much better. A Look Ahead New York-bred runners will top the stakes action this weekend at Belmont Park.
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