Belmont Notebook

BELMONT NOTEBOOK

NOVEMBER 2, 2005

by Bernard T. Moore

It was a day of excitement and exhilaration for some, and a day

disappointment and utter frustration for others. And, there were people who

experienced all the aforementioned emotions at the same time. The Breeder's Cup

will do that to you. No matter which side of the aisle you landed on Saturday,

it was a spectacular day of Thoroughbred racing, a sport which on occasion

stumbles as it attempts to put its best foot forward as the entire world looks

on.

While the weather was not absolutely perfect on Saturday, at least it wasn't

raining as the crowd began filing into Belmont Park in the morning. NYRA carded

two stakes contests to whet the appetites of those in attendance, not that it

was necessary, as the World Thoroughbred Championships can certainly stand on

its own merit.

The first such event on the 10-race card was the Sport Page H. (G3) for

three-year-olds and up at seven furlongs. California based runners finished 1-2

as GOTAGHOSTOFACHANCE (Silver Ghost) closed determinedly in deep stretch to win

by a half-length over a game Captain Squire (Flying Chevron). Wild Tale (Tale of

the Cat) closed belatedly to take down the show, a length in front of Silver

Wagon (Wagon Limit), the 2-1 favorite who lacked clear sailing in the stretch

run.

The Discovery H. (G3), for three-year-olds at 1 1/16 miles, completed the

early daily double on Breeders' Cup Day. MAGNA GRADUATE (Honor Grades), fresh

from a fine tactical win in the Pegasus H. (G3) last month at the Meadowlands,

made it two straight victories by reeling in the pacesetting Scrappy T (Fit to

Fight) in deep stretch, and then edging away to score by three parts of a

length.

The runner-up, ridden by Jerry Bailey for the first time, had no visible

excuse as he laid down a comfortable early pace. He fought back gamely when

Magna Graduate appeared to his outside, but weakened slightly late under

pressure. Buzzard's Bay (Marco Bay) raced towards the back of the pack early on

and closed with good energy to finish third. War Front (Danzig), the 4-1 second

choice in the wagering, stalked the modest fractions while a bit rank racing

down the backstretch, as he was pinned down along the inside. He subsequently

lacked the necessary punch in the stretch when clear.

As far as the Breeder's Cup is concerned, I'm sure most of you watched at

least some of the races, if not all of them. And, if you weren't able to see any

of them, there has been plenty of coverage in the Handicapper's Edge, which the

BRIS staff did a good job covering in detail.

On a personal note concerning the Breeders' Cup, my October 5 notebook for

Belmont Park gave out the following horses to watch -- Artie Schiller (El Prado

[Ire]) and Society Selection (Coronado's Quest). Both ran well Saturday,

recording a win and a runner-up finish, respectively. That's why they call this

the Handicapper's Edge.

Sunday's races might have been a bit anticlimactic for some people. However,

when you're lucky enough to bet a winner in this game, the money spends just as

well regardless of the level of competition.

The First Flight S. (G2) served as the co-feature as the track celebrated the

final day in its 100th season of racing. GREAT INTENTIONS (Cat Thief), sitting a

perfect stalking trip down the backstretch, overhauled the pacesetting Smokey

Glacken (Forestry) in the stretch and continued on gamely to win by three

lengths. Habiboo (Unbridled's Song) had to be pushed along early by jockey Joe

Bravo before finding her best stride in the stretch. She closed willingly

despite having to steady a bit, but in all likelihood, that incident did not

cost her a chance at victory. Smokey Glacken was able to save the show once

displaced on the lead.

One race later, the European bred runner ATLANDO (Ire) (Hernando [Fr]) closed

resolutely in the stretch to win the Knickerbocker H. (G3) at 1 1/8 miles on the

turf, the final race on the card. The early trailer in a field of 10 runners,

Atlando began to improve her position around the far turn. She was able to

sustain that rally under Bailey while racing wide and losing valuable ground

entering the stretch. She subsequently closed with a flourish in deep stretch to

win by a neck over an unlucky Certifiably Crazy (Fit to Fight).

The runner-up led from the start and looked home free in midstretch.

Regrettably, the finish line did not appear soon enough and she was forced to

settle for second money. Rousing Victory (Victory Gallop) raced in the second

flight of runners, but lacked the necessary punch in the stretch and finished

third. We All Love Aleyna (Nines Wild), bet down to 2-1 favoritism, raced in

contention throughout, but failed to respond when called upon.

As an owner, watching your horse win a race is certainly exhilarating.

However, the victory takes on added meaning when you are the breeder of your

horse as well. Lee Lewis was fortunate enough to enjoy both pleasures as his

homebred BETTER NOW (Thunder Gulch) annexed Sunday's Tempted S. (G3) by 3 1/2

widening lengths.

The Kentucky-bred quickly moved into contention on the inside around the far

turn with jockey Javier Castellano at the controls. She was maneuvered to the

outside for her stretch run, and accelerated past the leader to win drawing

under only token encouragement late. Capote's Crown (Capote) set up shop on the

front and held the lead until the stretch, but could not match strides with the

winner while holding on gamely for the place. Wonder Lady Anne L (Real Quiet)

stalked the early pace and finished with interest to save the show in her first

start since August.

Edgar Prado won the riding title at the meet, with John Velazquez finishing

second. Bailey, Eibar Coa and Castellano rounded out the top five.

Todd Pletcher led all trainers, edging out Richard Dutrow Jr. by a single

victory. Gary Contessa and Bill Mott finished in a deadheat for third-place with

Bruce Levine taking down the fifth spot.

Speed fared quite well over the main track on Wednesday and Thursday. The

coursed appeared to play quite fairly on Friday and remained that way over the

weekend.

Turf racing was conducted on only two days last week, Saturday and Sunday.

There did not appear to be a prevailing bias on either course either day.

The outside paths seemed a tad better on Wednesday, but the track seemed to

play quite uniformly from that point on.

HORSES TO WATCH

Wednesday (10/26)

4TH – YOLIE'S CHOICE (Silver Deputy) finished a strong second in her career

debut. Dueled on the lead towards the deeper inside and held gamely in a swiftly

run abbreviated sprint. Trainer Kelly Breen excels with juveniles.

9TH – R LAST INSTALLMENT (King of Kings) offered a good effort in his main

track debut off a freshening. Raced lethargically early breaking from the rail.

Closed with good energy to be second best against the grain of a speed biased

course. Appears quite capable of handling either turf or dirt

Thursday (10/27)

1ST – REAL KNOWSY (Gone for Real) turned in a sharp second off the bench

meeting limited winners for the first time. Held well setting a quick and

pressured pace, yielding only to the dominant winner.

4TH – POINT ME TO IT (Precise End) showed dramatic form reversal sprinting on

a much drier surface. Gave futile chase to the odds-on winning favorite from the

outset and continued on well in the stretch for the place.

Friday (10/28)

4TH – MARITAL ASSET (A.P. Indy) finished an encouraging third in his well bet

career debut. Improved his position upon entering the stretch and could not

sustain his rally as the race quickened late. Hails from a stakes family that

could win in sprints or routes.

8TH – DIABOLICAL (Artax) held extremely well to finish third in his first

effort beyond six furlongs. Carved out a lively pace and tired slowly late in a

race that was quick throughout.

Saturday (10/29)

1ST – Silver Wagon has been saddled with the rail in last three races. He was

caught behind horses down the backstretch awaiting running room. He then raced

in heavy traffic through the stretch and could possibly have won with clear

sailing. Grade 1 winner remains eligible for a NW3X allowance contest and would

definitely benefit from an outside post going forward.

4TH – HENNY HUGHES (Hennessy) finished a sharp second in the Juvenile (G1)

after dueling on the lead throughout. Held determinedly in the stretch, yielding

grudgingly late to a fresh closer. Might have distance limitations and could be

the next edition of Lion Heart.

6th – TASTE OF PARADISE (Conquistador Cielo) was another California-based

runner who flourished at Belmont Park this fall. Was probably best in the Sprint

(G1) as he lacked racing room making a stretch bid. Had to alter course as a

opening he was being targeted for closed, losing valuable momentum in the

process.

Sunday (10/30)

6TH – Capote's Crown offered a sharp effort stepping up/stretching out in her

initial start vs. winners. Set a lively pace on the front end and held extremely

well to finish second. Should definitely benefit from this initial route

experience under her belt.

7TH – HABIBOO (Unbridled's Song) wound up a good second off the shelf turning

back to a sprint. Hindered by modest pace fractions on the front end. Leveled

off very well around the turn and into the stretch. Finished best of all late.

Would definitely benefit from more ground and maybe a slight class drop as well.