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CALDER NOTEBOOK MAY 21, 2010 Cheyann Belief Makes Auspicious Career Debut Veteran horseman Joe Calascibetta developed a colt by successful young Florida-based stallion D'wildcat for a flashy career debut early in the Calder meet last year when D’Funnybone drew off to score by 7 1/4 lengths under jockey Manoel Cruz. It was deja vu all over again last Saturday at Calder as Calascibetta had another two-year-old colt by D'wildcat primed for his career debut with Cruz in the saddle as CHEYANN BELIEF romped home a 10-length winner going 4 1/2 furlongs in 53 1/5. The trainer owns Cheyann Belief with a partner. Calascibetta owned D'Funnybone in partnership with breeder Harold Plumley before they sold him privately after he finished second by a half-length in the $100,000 Frank Gomez Memorial going six furlongs on July 11 behind Jackson Bend (Hear No Evil) in his second start, a race that obviously turned out to be a key test. D'Funnybone was sold to owner Paul Pompa Jr. and placed with trainer Rick Dutrow, going on to score in four graded stakes races thereafter -- the Saratoga Special (G2) and Futurity (G2) last year and the Hutcheson S. (G2) and Swale S. (G2) at Gulfstream Park early this season. Veteran Cruz & Apprentice Saez Continue to Dominate Three-time Calder meet champion jockey Cruz won seven races during the four days of racing last week, including four on Friday to edge past star Panamanian apprentice rider Luis Saez for a 20-18 lead in the standings as the season here is just getting underway. The two jockeys both celebrated birthdays this week -- Saez turned 18 on Wednesday and Cruz hit 40 on Thursday. Former Calder champion Paco Lopez remained third on the leader board with 12 victories, but has moved on to Monmouth Park for the summer. Seven-pound apprentice Angel Moreno, also from Panama, continues to get a good start here in fourth with nine wins, including several boxcar longshots. HORSES TO WATCH Thursday (5/13) 8TH -- CHISTOSA (Black Mambo) ran well to finish third stepping up to "two other than" allowance conditions in her first start against seasoned older fillies and mares and should improve while learning to relax. She is out of a mare (Princess Chispa) that has produced fast, talented runners and will be very tough, particularly in a spot against her own age. Friday (5/14) 3RD -- AMAZON HOLLY (Full Mandate) had to steady back to last of eight early in second career try on turf as leaders set moderate fractions, rallied three-wide into the stretch and was beaten only three-quarters for second as the first two ran one-two all the way around. Saturday (5/15) 6TH -- LUNA GRANDE (Mass Media) got an outside trip and was gaining on winner Miss Sarah Brown (Mass Media) as both made impressive career debuts. Remarkably the top two were the first starters for Florida-based freshman stallion Mass Media, a son of Touch Gold that won Forego H. (G1) at Saratoga. It may be worth watching for others by the stallion as they get first chance.
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