Belmont Notebook

BELMONT NOTEBOOK

JUNE 22, 2005

by Bernard T. Moore

All the hoopla that is present with putting on a such a high profile race as

the Belmont S. (G1) can sometimes make other stakes events after it seem a

bit insignificant. However, that was clearly not the case this past Saturday

when Belmont Park presented the Ogden Phipps H. (G1) for fillies and mares at 1

1/16 miles on the main track, as it featured the return of ASHADO (Saint Ballado)

to New York. The Breeders' Cup Distaff (G1) heroine of 2004 had dropped both of

her starts as a four-year-old, leaving many race fans wondering out loud if the

Todd Pletcher trainee would be able to recapture her sparkling sophomore form.

Silencing her skeptics in the Phipps, the old Ashado returned to wire the

field by three decisive lengths. Ashado was the primary beneficiary a deliberate

pace on the front end, and was well within herself as she repelled a stretch bid

from Society Selection (Coronado's Quest). The second-place finisher, without a

substantive pace to run at, was obviously hindered in her quest to register

successive graded stake wins at Belmont Park. Bending Strings (American Chance)

stalked the dawdling fractions down the backstretch dictated by the winner, but

could not match strides in the stretch and eventually yielded the place to

Society Selection.

With the Breeders' Cup to be held at Belmont Park this year, Ashado's long-range goals are blatantly obvious. The champion will likely make her next start

in the Go for Wand H. (G1) at nine furlongs on July 31 at Saratoga.

Because of an overflow of entries for the Mount Vernon H., a race for New

York-bred fillies and mares at nine furlongs over Belmont's Inner turf, it was

necessary once again to run split divisions of the race.

In the first division, Sabellina (Langfuhr) was pounded down to even-money

favoritism off a recent third-place finish in an open company optional claiming

contest. However, LADY BI BI (Lord Avie), who exited a similar contest, was the

filly who would take down the top prize, closing resolutely off a pedestrian

pace to post a well-deserved neck decision. Trained by John Hertler, Lady Bi Bi

had not visited the winner's circle since 2003. However, reuniting with jockey

Jose Santos for the Mount Vernon was a hint that impending improvement was

forthcoming, as she finished with a purpose to come out on top in a three-horse

photo finish.

Little Buttercup (Labeeb) suffered a heartbreaking defeat while finishing

second, stalking a deliberate pace and then assuming a tenuous lead in the

stretch. She battled gamely to the wire and just missed in sparkling effort.

Sabellina finished well while racing between runners in the stretch, but lacked

the necessary late response to carry her to victory and was just a nose farther

back in third.

Lady Bi Bi, a definite horse-for-the-course, has won twice over Belmont

Park's Widener and Inner Turf courses. All four victories have come with Santos

aboard.

Competing exclusively on grass has made a dramatic difference in the career

of KEVIN'S DECISION (Expensive Decision). So much so that the five-year-old

mare, who once floundered in the maiden ranks, is now a stakes winner. Keeping

her unbeaten record intact this year, Kevin's Decision

was a tactical winner of the second division of Mount Vernon with jockey Edgar Prado

at the helm.

Allowed to stalk the early pace before seizing the lead around

the far turn, Kevin's Decision stole away to an insurmountable lead in the

stretch and was then able to withstand a belated rally from Nurse Culkin (Take

Me Out). The second-place finisher, who trailed the field early on, was simply

left with too much to do in the stretch, closing rapidly in the final furlong,

which he completed in the neighborhood of 11 2/5 seconds. The Lamp Is Lit (Miswaki)

improved her position upon entering the stretch, but weakened under pressure

late and had to settle for third. On The Bus (Ghazi) exhibited some rustiness

returning from a prolonged layoff as the 2-1 favorite in the race. She raced a

bit wide and was one paced throughout while failing to make an impact.

Speed continued to do well over the main track last week in sprint and route

contests. There were no discernible path biases to speak of. Once again, both

grass courses seemed quite fair throughout the week.

Prado continues to dominate the his fellow riders and has built an imposing

lead in the race for leading jockey. John Velazquez moved into second place last

week with Richard Migliore holding down the third spot. Eibar Coa is in fourth

place and there is a dead-heat for fifth between Cornelio Velasquez and Javier

Castellano.

Christophe Clement enjoyed great success last week, and as a result, is

dead-locked with Billy Mott for the top spot in the trainer standings. The

recently suspended Richard Dutrow Jr. is tied for third with Michael Hushion as Pletcher rounds out the top five.

HORSES TO WATCH

Wednesday (6/15)

3RD – FAST LANER (Mutakddim) recorded a good third-place finish shipping in

from Maryland. Gave futile chase to two superior speed rivals and would benefit

from a slight class drop and a cutback to six furlongs in future ventures to New

York.

4TH – MY INTERPRETATION (Freud) turned in a creditable second-place finish in

her well bet career debut. Held well to take down the place after disputing a

hot early pace. Exits a very swiftly run race and should have derived beneficial

conditioning and experience from this effort.

Thursday (6/16)

1ST – INVESTIGATOR (Valid Expectations) offered a useful showing in his first

attempt at a route of ground. Clearly second best attending the early fractions

in a race that quickened noticeably late. May prefer to sit and make one run.

Should move forward off this race and may be set for his best effort yet in his

third-career start.

3RD – CAJUN MISTRESS (Salt Lake) proved to be an extremely determined winner

in her unveiling by mid-Atlantic based trainer Steve Klesaris. Argued a strong

pace while pinned down along the inside to outgame another well-bet first timer.

Bred top and bottom to excel in dirt sprints.

Friday (6/17)

3RD – IMPERIAL ZIP (City Zip) was a creditable fourth in his debut by once

prominent Hall of Fame trainer in Leroy Jolley. Held well to midstretch after

disputing a hotly contested pace. Should have derived beneficial conditioning

from competing in this swiftly run sprint contest. Ought to win early in his

career as his sire won five times as a juvenile, but did NOT win his debut

effort.

5TH – MISTER HENNESSY (Hennessy) ran "sneaky well" to gain the show stepping

up and turning back to a sprint off the Rene Araya claim. Finished with interest

despite being compromised by a pedestrian pace on the front end. Appears better

suited to a middle distance of ground.

Saturday (6/18)

2ND – LIMERO (Arg) (Ride the Rails) was a good second off the Mitchell

Friedman re-claim. Outmoved by the winner entering the stretch while put in

tight quarters by that rival, the six-year-old still was able to finish with

good energy late. Would benefit from added distance.

8TH – WESTMORELAND (Danzig) regressed a bit in his initial start against

winners. Carved out a modest pace on the front end and subsequently tired slowly

in the stretch. Would appreciate a cutback in distance.

9TH – Bending Strings appears overmatched against the likes of Ashado in a

Grade 1 route contest. Stalked a very slow pace set by that rival and still

"coughed up" the place late going 1 1/16 miles. May have distance limitations

and seems better suited to sprints.

Sunday (6/19)

2ND – BREDWINNER (Belong to Me) was clearly a tad short finishing second

while racing a bit wide to a decisive winner in a race that was fast for the

class level. Was a bad actor in the starting gate departing from his rail post

off the layoff which compromised him as well. Should be able to register that

elusive maiden special weight victory in the near future.

5TH – SIR GALLANT (Mutakddim) wound up a good third despite an ambitious

spotting off the Timothy Hills claim. Raced in last position early prior to

finishing with good energy despite a wide trip in an abbreviated sprint. At his

best racing closer to the front and would benefit from a class drop.

6TH – KATE WINSLET (Signal Tap) showed a dramatic form reversal tackling New

York-breds. Exhibited much-improved speed to set the early pace, albeit a

deliberate one, with the class drop. Held well to finish a close up fourth. All

three victories in 2004 came in marathon route contests over turf with some give

to it, so beware if she is confronted with those conditions in upcoming efforts.