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BELMONT NOTEBOOK MAY 9, 2013 by John Mucciolo A pair of Grade 3 events on the lawn topped the second weekend of racing at Belmont Park. Fort Marcy S. (G3): Aliyu Ben J Stable's homebred LUBASH (Freud) moved to the fore in midstretch and gamely got home a half-length clear beneath Junior Alvarado. The New York-bred six-year-old endured 1 1/16 miles on the firm turf in a wicked 1:38 4/5 for conditioner Christophe Clement. Beaugay S. (G3): Punk and DiLeo's HESSONITE (Freud) had just one beat in midstretch but flew home late under Alvarado to post a three-parts of a length score. The Empire State-bred mare traveled 1 1/16 miles on the firm lawn in 1:40 4/5 for conditioner David Donk. Track Stats A total of 48 races were held at the Elmont, New York, venue, with favorites winning at a 19 percent rate and the top two betting choices combining for 42 percent of the wins during the week. From 22 races on the main oval, five animals won in wire-to-wire fashion (23 percent), while seven of the 26 races on the lawn were taken all the way on the front (27 percent). Speed was better on the lawn in week two of racing here, with seven runners leading all the way on the front end on the turf. Of those seven, six came in route events, with five of those on the outer turf course, while there was also one sprint winner on the inner turf. The main oval played fairly all week in our estimation. We still prefer speed and pace pressing types, though. Meet Totals
HORSES TO WATCH Wednesday (5/1) 1ST -- BERNIE THE JET (Bernstein) made a nice run into and through the lane to defeat a field that we thought had some ability for conditioner Gary Contessa. The sophomore colt came home swiftly and we'll tab him for a big run right back if properly placed. 3RD -- Talented sophomore HONORABLE DILLON (Tapit) took command inside the final furlong and strode home an impressive 2 3/4-length winner against his elders in this dash. The Eddie Kenneally pupil proved to have an affinity for this oval and we expect to see him again on the Belmont Stakes undercard June 8. 6TH -- MAJOR MARVEL (Bernstein) toyed with this group for conditioner Michael Maker and the final time he put up without being roused was very impressive. The speedy sort loves this venue and should be a major factor right back with anything similar to these foes. Friday (5/3) 1ST -- CURRENCY UNION (High Cotton) was passed early but never gave up in a fine runner-up showing for trainer Jena Antonucci. The sophomore filly has now run a pair of big ones since joining this barn and we consider her a must use next time. 2ND -- The Chad Brown-trained MAKE IT ANYWHERE (Empire Maker) showed big improvement off of a poor showing in Florida prior to this one, and just missed second while chasing lone speed all the way around the oval. We didn't think a whole lot of this field, but the improvement was marked and the winner could turn out to be good, so we'll watch this filly going forward. Saturday (5/4) 3RD -- MR. JENNEY (Medaglia d'Oro) was last after the opening half-mile but put in a big late bid and just missed under the wire in a fine debut showing. The Clement-conditioned sophomore came home in a brisk :29 2/5 and could evolve into a nice one. Sunday (5/5) 1ST -- CALLANA (Dynaformer) couldn't get to the winner but did rally like a good thing to finish second at first asking, more than four lengths clear of her nearest foe. The sophomore filly is bred to be real nice, and we'd surely keep an eye on her going forward. 9TH -- Grade 1 heroine DAYATTHESPA (City Zip) was not at her very best in this race, but the now four-year-old was convincing enough in bagging her debut in 2013. Trained by Brown, the genuine lass let her main foe get right next to her in early stretch, only to put her away late and cross the wire four lengths in front. She's as consistent as they come. A Look Ahead The Grade 2, $200,000 Peter Pan Stakes on Saturday is the lone graded tilt this weekend at Belmont Park.
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