Belmont Notebook

BELMONT PARK NOTEBOOK

MAY 22, 2010

by Albie Johnson

The lone graded event on the past week's racing menu at Belmont featured the

long-awaited

return of Seattle Smooth (Quiet American), who hadn't raced since winning the

Ogden Phipps

S. (G1) on this surface 11 months ago. She faced only four rivals, with last

year's CCA Oaks

(G1) winner FUNNY MOON (Malibu Moon) having the best credentials at a possible

upset.

Race was a bit paceless on paper and played out that way on the track as

Solo Piano (Empire

Maker) set very slow fractions for this level going :23.96 and :48.19 before being

challenged by

Funny Moon approaching the quarter-pole, with Seattle Smooth following that move. As

they

straightened away, it became apparent that the favorite was going to come up

short as she just

did not kick in with her usual late gear and Funny Moon had a pretty easy time

of it from the

head of the stretch to the finish as jockey Alan G kept her about her business

with a few cracks

of the whip. The four-year-old chestnut reported home by 2 3/4 lengths over the

chalk with

Milwaukee Appeal (Milwaukee Brew) needing the length of the stretch to edge the

very tired

Solo Piano for the show spot.

The winner has been very lightly raced and had a recency edge on her older

rival as she had

finished second at Keeneland in the Doubledogdare(G3) to begin her season. Trainer

Chris Clement

used that prep to have her at her best for this contest, and with the win she

ran her record to four-for-five on this often tricky surface.

Sunday's 10TH race, an otherwise card-filling maiden contest on the turf for

older fillies and mares,

produced an impressive winning performance by COSSE (Mizzen Mast). Bay filly had

finished second in her first pair in California and was made the lukewarm favorite in her

local debut.

She trailed early while under restraint, moved up under her own power while

on the inside on the

turn, was forced to steady briefly, but regained her momentum almost

immediately, and after

easing out turning for home proved best by a head, with the third-place finisher

another 10+ lengths back.

Owned by Juddmonte Farms, the filly is conditioned by Bill Mott and looks

like a talented

one!

Track conditions

Muddy and sealed on Wednesday with the turf listed as good. Fast and firm was the

order of the day the rest of the week. The main-track, along with both turf

courses, continued to play

fairly.

HORSES TO WATCH

Wednesday (5/12)

2ND -- Very professional debut by BLACK MINOTAUR (Black Minnaloushe) as the gelding

debuted at a tough distance (1 1/16 miles on the turf) and after steadying

early, he launched a

wide move late into the turn and ran down the pacesetter just inside the eighth pole to win going

away by two lengths. Home-bred three-year-old looked like an old pro.

7TH -- Making her first start away from Florida, MOLLYISINTHECLOUDS (Cloud

Hopping)

had a very tough trip, racing in heavy traffic the entire way and rallying

mildly late while still

between runners. She checked in a close-up fifth in the 10-horse field and should

run better next

out with a less taxing journey.

Thursday (5/13)

1ST -- Making her first star since her maiden win on March 17 at Aqueduct, CONGA

BELLA (Congaree) just missed in this starter-allowance in her first start vs. winners.

She tracked a

fast pace, made a strong late bid and fell a nose short. Very encouraging

performance.

6TH --  Breaking near the outside in the 1 1/6-mile $25K claimer, LIVE ON

THE

EDGE (Northern Afleet) lost all chance early when he had to steady after

"clipping heels" at the

start. To his credit, he finished fourth of 10 with a solid late rally and is one to

watch next out at the

same level.

Friday (5/14)

7TH -- Making her first start since September and first outside her native Germany, DAVERON

(Ger) (Black Sam Bellamy) won this allowance-optional claimer with relative

ease and

looked the winner every step. Mare had been lightly raced overseas and won this

for Team Valor

and trainer Chris Clement like she has more improvement in her.

8TH -- The lightly-raced OBLIGINGLY (Officer) had blinkers added for this

by

Todd Pletcher and responded with a "handy" win in this first-level allowance.

Colt had left an

impression early in 2009 when breaking his maiden at Gulfstream, but after one

start vs. winners was away for a year. He opened this year with three

consecutive seconds at this level. May have some talent.

Saturday (5/15)

2ND -- Being a bit of a racing sentimentalist, it was enjoyable to see the

colors of Lazy F

Ranch (those of Forego fame) carried to victory by the regally-bred

E. H. INDY (A.P.Indy). Well-bred three-year-old

colt was well-bet in his debut at Gulfstream but was away slowly and wasn't

beaten much. He

broke running in this spot and proved best in an exciting stretch drive. Another

who has some

potential.

Sunday (5/16)

2ND -- Making her first start since debuting on the turf last September, CUVEE'S LADY (Cuvee)

had worked well at Palm Beach Downs this past winter but lost all chance in this

spot when she

broke poorly. Probably needed the start anyway and she's in a barn (George

Weaver) that's been

very "live" at this meet.

Upcoming stakes

Saturday (5/22): The Sheepshead Bay (G2), 3&up, f &m, 1 3/8 miles (turf)