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BELMONT PARK NOTEBOOK JUNE 5, 2008 by Bernard T. Moore Even the most casual observer of Thoroughbred racing is keenly aware that Belmont Park will play host to the 140th running of the Belmont S. (G1) this Saturday. That said, even non-followers of the sport will be watching the race intently as growing public concern continues to mount in regards to racing and the safety of all its participants. The tragic death of Eight Belles after competing in this year's Kentucky Derby (G1) only served to fuel the fire which has brought to the forefront the darker side of racing, which has become extremely widespread. Still fresh in the minds of many is the horrific sight of Barbaro in the 2006 Preakness S. (G1), when he severely injured himself shortly after the start, and ultimately had to be "pulled up" in obvious distress before a nationwide television audience. Despite a valiant fight, Barbaro, as we all know, was eventually euthanized. While there is a tendency to categorize these heartbreaking incidents as nothing more than "unfortunate," and rightfully so in my opinion, Big Brown heads into the starting gate for this year's renewal of the Belmont as, dare I say it, "damaged goods." Much has been written about his chronic foot problems, almost to the point of ad nauseam. The argument can be made that what happened to Barbaro and Eight Belles was unforeseeable and, therefore, not preventable. That will certainly not be the case with Big Brown should he be beset with an untimely injury come Saturday. His recurring ailments have been well-documented, and continue to be front page news in the sports pages and racing publications on a daily basis. People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) have become extremely vocal of late pertaining to much-needed reform in racing. However, regardless of how tall the soapbox is that they wish to pontificate from, the burden of change falls directly upon people within the industry. There are those who continue to say they want to do what's right by the horse, but at some point, they have to actually mean it. Although Big Brown has responded nicely to the treatment of the quarter-crack injury in his left front hoof, one must ask themselves this question -- besides money, what is the payback of risking a life-threatening injury to such a talented animal? People who shoot back an answer that he is a potential Triple Crown winner would be right, of course. But at what price should the horse, and racing itself, be prepared to pay to accomplish this goal, considering the consequences? Could it cost Big Brown his life with even the smallest misstep during the Belmont or galloping-out after the race is over? And, should the unthinkable occur, would Thoroughbred racing ever be able to recover from yet another tragedy, when all the warning signs were clearly visible? To be sure, Big Brown's racing days are numbered. That statement in itself speaks volumes. His final legacy should be that he had a brilliant racing career cut short by recurring injuries, not that he paid the ultimate price to attain racing immortality. Henry de Bracton coined the phrase, "An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure." When he said this, he obviously had Big Brown in mind. In Saturday's featured race, RAW SILK (Malibu Moon) was able to dictate a controlled pace in the Sands Point S. (G2). As a result, that effectively spelled defeat for the remainder of the field, as she spurted away in the stretch en route to a decisive 4 1/4-length triumph. With jockey Alan Garcia aboard, Raw Silk relaxed nicely on the front end as only token pressure was applied by I Lost My Choo (Western Expression) and Alwajeeha (Dixieland Band). Raw Silk managed to maintain her lead into the stretch, and eventually began to edge away past midstretch to record her first graded stakes victory. A late rally by Life Is Sweet (Storm Cat), the 6-5 betting favorite, was good enough to claim second place, as the day clearly belonged to Raw Silk. I Lost My Choo was one-paced in the stretch and could do no better that third with Alwajeeha two lengths farther back in fourth. On Sunday, ALL IS VANITY (Fr) (Gold Away [Ire]) annexed the Beautiful Pleasure S. in dramatic fashion as she eked out a hard-fought nose victory. Saddled by Christophe Clement, All Is Vanity powered her way to the lead passing the furlong pole after tracking the early pacesetters. She responded willingly when headed by Paris Winds (Ire) (Galileo [Ire]) in deep stretch, and was able to prevail by a slim nose. The runner-up continued to improve her position into the stretch, and just missed while coming up on the wrong end of a tight photo. Chestoria (Chester House) closing belatedly to take down the show while Masseuse (Dynaformer) raced lethargically throughout and finished fifth as the 2-1 betting favorite. Additionally, there were split divisions of the New York Stallion S. on the Sunday card. BROOKHAVEN'S MONEY (Precise End) had withstand to claim of foul before being declared the official winner of the Spectacular Bid division. Making his first start for new connections off the claim, the Scott Schwartz-trained runner split rivals in the stretch and subsequently drew clear late en route to a 1 1/2-length score. In the filly division, the Cupecoy's Joy, STUDY ABROAD (Wheelaway) left no doubt as to who was best, easily defeating seven rivals to emerge victorious by 5 1/2-widening lengths. Bred by her owners, and trained by Richard Dutrow Jr., there was no stopping Study Abroad as she found her best stride leaving the far turn. She gained the lead nearing midstretch and subsequently drew clear to a convincing victory. There were no recognizable biases over the main track last week. Both grass courses played evenly as well. HORSES TO WATCH Thursday (5/29) 4TH - BAYROD (Grand Slam) showed dramatic reversal in form while competing on real dirt while stretching out. The three-year-old colt exhibited new-found early speed to set a pestered pace, and held well until midstretch before tiring late. He is bred on both sides of his pedigree for a distance of ground. 8TH - CITY BIRD (Carson City) put forth a creditable return effort off a long layoff. She was clearly second-best in here chasing home a decisive daylight winner in fast time, but derived beneficial conditioning from this showing. Friday (5/30) 2ND - BOBBY SANDS (Gulch) easily defeated a field of overmatched maiden-claimers returning to a sprint. In all likelihood, he could handle a field of limited winners in his next start. 2ND - VALIANT HUMOR (Distorted Humor) put forth a creditable showing off the Gregory DiPrima claim. He was clearly second-best chasing home a dominant daylight winner in a swiftly run contest, but should have little trouble registering his initial victory in his next start if kept at his current class-level. Saturday (5/31) 2ND - SPRING ELUSION (Elusive Quality) recorded a facile score returning to a conventional and moisture-laden dirt track. The bay lass drew away with complete authority late after stalking a quick early pace and appears capable of handling any type of surface with which she is confronted. 9TH - I Lost My Choo raced evenly to finish third while chasing a loose wire-to-wire winner. She appears most effective up to 1 1/16 miles, and should be a force to be reckoned with against New York-breds in the future. Sunday (6/1) 1ST - BROOKER D (Montbrook) showed dramatic form reversal off a freshening. The four-year-old finished with good energy to take down the place behind a perfect-trip winning favorite, and can show further progress with some a slight class drop. 2ND - SEEKING THE MONEY (Capote) put forth a solid effort stretching out over his favorite track. The nine-year-old veteran exhibited surprise speed to chase solid fractions into the stretch before giving way. He has been winless a long time, but has also been ambitiously spotted.
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