Belmont Notebook

BELMONT NOTEBOOK

JUNE 8, 2005

by Bernard T. Moore

Belmont Stakes Day draws closer and closer. And while there is obvious

excitement over the big race around the track, it pales in comparison to the

anticipation last year when Smarty Jones stood on the threshold of racing

history in the final leg of the Triple Crown.

This year's race is not without its own drama, with Giacomo's (Holy Bull)

stunning upset of the Kentucky Derby (G1), and Afleet Alex's (Northern Afleet)

athletic victory in the Preakness S. (G1), the Belmont S. (G1) could be viewed

as the rubber match between the two rivals, with the winner at least attaining

bragging rights by winning two Triple Crown events. It should definitely be

worth the price of admission regardless of who comes out on top.

Speaking of Smarty Jones, his trainer, John Servis, came to town last

Saturday to saddle ROUND POUND (Awesome Again) in the Acorn S. (G1) for

three-year-old fillies at one mile on the main track. While this blossoming

sophomore runner did take down the lion's share of the purse in the Acorn, I'm

sure Servis would rather have come away with a victory last June when he

ventured to the Big Apple with his prized sophomore.

At any rate, the Acorn had to be a satisfying win for Servis, as Round Pound

has now strung together four successive victories since a third-place debut

effort at Oaklawn Park in mid-February. Dispatched as the 2-1 favorite in the

Acorn even though she was returning from a layoff, Round Pound bobbled a bit

leaving the gate from her inside post. However, she did not permit that incident

to serve as a detriment, rallying nicely off a hotly contested pace while racing

wide into the stretch. She eventually engaged the leaders and then edged clear

in deep stretch to register her initial Grade 1 victory.

Smuggler (Unbridled), a recent allowance winner, moved to challenge for the

lead around the far turn and wound up finishing second, as she could not match

strides with the winner late. The runner-up finished a head in front of Grade 2

winner and Kentucky Oaks (G1) runner-up In The Gold (Golden Missile), who took

the lead in midstretch only to weaken under pressure late.

Round Pound, who is unbeaten with Lasix and jockey Stewart Elliott, recorded

her second consecutive graded stakes win. There are no immediate plans for her

next race, as her connections are planning to see how she comes out of

Saturday's event before mapping out any sort of strategy.

On Sunday, MELHOR AINDA (Pulpit) kept her perfect record intact and proved to

be a punctual favorite by winning the Sands Point (G3) for three-year-old

fillies at 1 1/8 miles on grass. Six rivals entered the starting gate to tackle

the Bobby Frankel trained miss, but it didn't really matter how many runners

there were as she emerged victorious once again, winning by a decisive 2 3/4

lengths at 2-5 while never being asked for her best late. The winner, ridden by

regular pilot John Velazquez, swept to the lead in the stretch and then drew

clear under modest encouragement. Laurafina (Cozzene) closed belatedly to finish

second at odds of 18-1. It was another 1 1/2 lengths farther back to My Typhoon (Ire) (Giant's Causeway), who carved out the early pace before tiring

in the stretch.

Melhor Ainda is unbeaten and virtually untested thus far, and the world is

her oyster. Conditioned by one of the top grass trainers in the country in

Frankel, she has a bright future and unlimited potential. Is it to early to

start talking Breeders' Cup?

The main track played quite uniformly all week, with the possible exception

of Saturday when early speed did noticeably well in route contests. There did

not appear to be any discernible path biases to report on, and both grass

courses seemed to play fairly when in use.

Edgar Prado is the runaway leader in the jockey standings. He is followed by

Richard Migliore, with Cornelio Velasquez and Velazquez in a dead-heat for third

as Norberto Arroyo Jr. rounds out the top five.

Richard Dutrow Jr., whose suspension began June 1, maintains the top spot in

the trainer standings. There is a four-way dead-heat for second place between

Michael Hushion, Bill Mott, Dominic Galluscio and Bruce Levine.

HORSES TO WATCH

Thursday (6/2)

1ST – CAVAN SUCCESS (American Chance) ran to her backing in her well meant

debut. The sophomore filly toyed with her opposition while setting comfortable

fractions and then drew clear with relative ease for a 8 3/4-length score.

Appears ready to tackle winners next.

6TH – BOHEMIAN RAIN (Pembroke) finished a heartbreaking second switching to

turf in her first start against winners. Finished strongly in the stretch to

drop a nose decision and a mile seems to fit her like the proverbial glove.

Friday (6/3)

2ND – TRUART (Yes It's True) turned in a creditable second-place finish in

her career debut. Held well to save the place after contesting fast fractions on

the front end in a race that was extremely quick throughout.

3RD – EPIC (Tale of the Cat) finished a tough luck second off the Gary

Contessa claim. Disputed a lively pace in a race that finished up well late and

might be better suited to a mile or less.

7TH – KARAKORUM PATRIOT (Personal Flag) offered a dramatic reversal in form

off the shelf and switching to Belmont Park. Embroiled in a three-horse speed

duel for the lead, he tired slowly in the stretch and is eligible to move

forward in second start off the layoff. Would also benefit from a little class

relief.

Saturday (6/4)

1ST – SHOTS (Go for Gin) was much improved effort cutting back to a mile, his

best distance while reuniting with Migliore. Carried his speed much farther

setting strong fractions on the front end to finish second and would benefit

from a return to a mid-level claiming contest.

9TH – RANDY'S BULLET (Saint Ballado) is slowly rounding into form while

coming back from a prolonged layoff. Easily finished second best in this

off-the-turf contest, giving futile chase to a dominant front-running winner.

Sunday (6/5)

4TH – CALL THE THUNDER (Thunder Gulch) was clearly a tad short returning off

a prolonged layoff. Failed to exhibit her tactical speed while racing wide in a

swiftly run contest. Should move forward from this comeback effort and is bred

to handle a distance of ground.

7TH – MR. CONGENIALITY (Chester House) impressed as a facile winner in fast

time in his second Belmont Park start. Disposed of early pace pressure and drew

away with complete authority. Three-year-old gelding can win right back if not

ambitiously spotted.

8TH – LAURAFINA (Cozzene) finished a fine second tackling winners for the

first time in a Grade 3 stakes. Was no match for an unbeaten odds-on winning

favorite, but acquitted herself quite well while taking a substantial hike in

class in a very fast race.