Belmont Notebook

BELMONT PARK NOTEBOOK

SEPTEMBER 24, 2009

by Albie Johnson

A trio of graded events highlighted week two of the Fall Championship meet

with two-years-olds in the spotlight in a pair of traditional events.

The Futurity S. (G2), which in the past was one of the most important fall

events here, attracted a field of eight, headed by recent Saratoga Special (G2)

winner D' FUNNYBONE (D'wildcat) and the impressive recent maiden victor

Discreetly Mine (Mineshaft).

The complexion of the race changed at the start when Discreetly Mine hit the

gate and checked after breaking from the inside in the seven furlong contest.

Colt was expected to be either on or just off the top and that effectively

prevented him from having any shot at the win. D' Funnybone broke well and

settled just off the pace in a nice position in the three or four path and

was under a snug hold by jockey Edgar Prado. He rallied midway on the turn,

took over around the three-sixteenth's pole and drew away to a 4 3/4-length

score over Discreetly Mine, who rallied nicely despite his early issues to easily

secure the place spot.

The winner was a early summer private purchase by Paul Pompa and at that time

he was turned over to trainer Richard Dutrow Jr. It was announced soon after

this win that he'll be pointed toward the Champagne S. (G1) on October 10.

One race later, juvenile fillies took to the stage in the Matron S. (G2)

which was also run at a distance of seven panels. Heavy favorite was the

undefeated Worstcasescenario (Forbidden Apple), who was two for two and won the Adirondack (G2) at Saratoga

in her latest start. Race had eight other

fillies, many of whom were moving straight from maiden victories into this

contest. A pair of those would eventually wind up one-two here as the race

favorite never at any point looked comfortable and was virtually eased at the

wire.

AWESOME MARIA (Maria's Mon) stalked the early pace, bid in upper

stretch and drew clear late to win going away by 2 3/4 lengths over Touching

Beauty (Tapit), who rallied for the place spot after having a poor start. Winner

was the only filly to have already won at the seven-furlong distance, and she was also the only entrant to have ever started at it.

The homebred gray from the E. Paul Robsham operation is trained by Stanley Hough, and Cornelio Velasquez contributed a flawless ride.

Earlier on the program, seven older fillies and mares took to the main-turf

course in the Noble Damsel (G3) with the race on paper looking like multiple

graded stakes winner RUTHERIENNE (Pulpit) would have an easy time of it, and the

public bet her accordingly, making her the 2-5 choice. Mare rallied late to win

by a nose over Quiet Meadow (El Prado [Ire]), who was in front one stride before

the wire and one stride after it.

Winner showed a lot of determination as she raced in heavy traffic before

splitting rivals to just get up. A homebred from Virginia Kraft Payson, the

veteran is trained by Chris

Clement and was ridden by Alan Garcia.

On Sunday, the steeplechase set turned out for the Lonesome Glory (NSA-G1) on a

firm course over a distance of 2 1/2 miles, and RED LETTER DAY (Red Ransom)

had the lead from start-to-finish, wining by a diminishing three-quarter of a

length over Dynaski (Dynaformer).

Nice training job by veteran Janet Elliot and a beautiful ride by Bernard

Dalton both combined for the upset victory as he was the longest price in the

seven-horse field.

Two days earlier, last year's two-year-old champion MIDSHIPMAN (Unbridled's

Song) made his long-awaited sophomore debut in a 6 1/2-furlong

allowance/optional claimer. Race was not a gimme as it attracted a pair of solid

opponents with a very fast runner Just Ben (Speightstown) positioned on the rail

and Midshipman also racing on conventional dirt for the first time. Just Ben broke running but was shadowed every step by Midshipman, who took over when

asked and despite drifting-out late, the champ reported home by 3 1/4 lengths.

Winner continued a remarkable run for the Godolphin Stable and their trainer

Saeed bin Suroor over the past two months, in particular with horses returning

from very lengthy layoffs.

TRACK STATS

Fast and firm conditions were in play for all five days of racing this past

week with no discernible running patterns or posts having an advantage.

HORSES TO WATCH

Wednesday (9/16)

1ST -- After a pair of troubled starts to begin her year, minor stakes winner

R BETTY GRAYBULL (Holy Bull) just missed in this allowance/optional claimer for

state-breds. Filly broke a step slow, made up good ground while racing inside

and after swinging out turning for home she closed strongly to be beaten a head.

Nice effort has her headed in the right direction.

5TH -- Both WHYDAH (More Than Ready) and LA CLOCHE (Ghostzapper) were both

impressive in moving to the turf for the first time. The former stalked the pace

in the seven-furlong contest, bid while wide, reached the front just inside the

eighth pole and prevailed by 1 1/2 lengths over the latter who closed from far

back and raced a bit erratically late.

Thursday (9/17)

4TH -- Nice maiden win by SHRIMP DANCER (Kitten's Joy) as he was sent over a

distance of ground for the first time after finishing second at Saratoga in a

sprint last out. He seemed to relish the extra yardage and most of the runners

by his sire have surprisingly not improved when moving to the infield

Friday (9/18)

9TH -- Making her first start on the grass and first of any kind since

February 21, SACHEM ROAD (Desert Warrior) showed an immediate liking for the new

surface. Filly stayed within range, bid while along the rail, and finished well

for the place to a much the best favorite who had finished second in her

previous three starts.

Saturday (9/19)

2ND -- CONDEMED (Speightstown), who had stumbled in her debut at Saratoga, broke running in this spot, opened a big lead and drew away to a very easy

maiden score, stopping the clock in 1:03.40 for the 5 1/2-furlong distance.

Todd Pletcher-trained juvenile filly looks to have a bright future.

5TH -- Race favorite ES MIA (Wheelaway) had just a brutal trip, being forced

to check early and also entering the far turn in the nine-furlong maiden event.

Filly had some run turning for home but was ridden a bit indecisively during

that time and had to settle for second. Next out.

Sunday (9/20)

2ND -- Trainer Bruce Levine had just a terrible meet at Saratoga, but he's

well known for having his maidens ready second time out and NONNA MIA (Empire

Maker) fit that scenario perfectly. She had shown good speed in her bow before

tiring and was getting the addition of Lasix. The word was out

as in a nicely-bred field she was bet down to 6-5 and that price looked a

bargain at every step as she went wire-to-wire to win by 12 lengths with a final

time of 1:02.65 for the 5 1/2 furlongs. Monster effort makes her next race a

must see.

UPCOMING STAKES

Saturday's feature is the Gallant Bloom H. (G2) for fillies and mares

sprinting 6 1/2 furlongs.

Have a nice week!