Belmont Notebook

BELMONT NOTEBOOK

SEPTEMBER 27, 2013

by John Mucciolo

A single graded race highlighted the weekend.

Gallant Bloom H. (G2): Turtle Bird Stable's CLUSTER OF STARS

(Greeley's Galaxy) sped to an early lead and was never headed thereafter in

posting a dominant, five-length win under Javier Castellano. The unbeaten Steve

Asmussen trainee left little doubt in completing the 6 1/2 furlongs on the

"good" main oval in 1:15 3/5.

Track Stats

A total of 49 races were held at the Elmont, New York, venue, with favorites

winning at a 24 percent rate and the top two betting choices combining for 47

percent of the wins during the week. From 26 races on the main oval, 12 animals

won in wire-to-wire fashion (46 percent), while two of the 23 races on the lawn

were taken all the way on the front (9 percent).

Speed continues to be a very good thing on the main oval after the opening

two weeks of racing and we don't really expect that trend to stop anytime soon.

While any type can win over Big Sandy, pace has been vital so far, especially

when there is moisture on the main oval.

It might also be worth note that 23 of the 26 main-track races were taken by

runners breaking from slots 1-through-6. Much of this has to do with field size,

however.

Both turf ovals have tended to favor those from off the pace for the second

consecutive week. Of the pair of wire jobs, both came on the outer oval, one in

a sprint and the other in a route race.

Meet Totals

RACES:		116
DIRT:		57
TURF:		59
FAVORITES:		29 (25 percent)
2ND CHOICES:		27 (23 percent)
TURF WIRE:		5 (8 percent)
DIRT WIRE:		26 (46 percent)

HORSES TO WATCH

Thursday (9/19)

8TH -- FREUD'S SUNSET (Freud) held a clear edge nearly every step of the way

in this maiden run and was just a bit unlucky not to have graduated for

conditioner Dominic Galluscio. The juvenile filly will likely get the job done

in the near future.

TAKEOFF YOUR HAT (Cosmonaut) made a nice late rally from off the pace and

finished up a nice third at first asking for trainer Phil Serpe. We'll tab this

juvenile miss for success very soon, possibly next time out.

Friday (9/20)

3RD -- SHANGHAI BOBBY (Harlan's Holiday) made a successful return to the

races with a narrow escape at short odds in this small field. The champion

sophomore did look a bit rusty in winning, but the final and closing times were

solid and we thought this race was a bit better than many post-race

commentators.

7TH -- MR. JENNEY (Medaglia d'Oro) was tons the best in this maiden tally

under Alex Solis and could evolve into a useful performer. The three-year-old

colt was wide behind a slow early pace, but really kicked it in turning for home

and through the stretch in drawing off under a hand ride. The Christophe Clement

charge got his final five-sixteenths in a swift :28 4/5!

Saturday (9/21)

4TH -- The Bruce Brown-trained KINGSFORD DRIVE (Pulpit) took the lead soon

after the start and powered clear to a facile 5 3/4-length tally under Javier

Castellano. The five-year-old gelding showed big improvement off of his latest

and seems to be heading into a good form cycle.

6TH -- GREAT MINDS (Stroll) gradually wore down the pacesetter and was just

caught inside the final furlong to be a fine second at first calling. The Bill

Mott pupil was likely not cranked up all that much for this run and could be

especially tough in his return to a similar race.

Sunday (9/22)

7TH -- POTOSI'S SILVER (Badge of Silver) made great strides in her second

lifetime run with an easy 6 1/4-length tally for trainer Todd Pletcher. The

juvenile filly overcame the rail post and being tucked in behind runners early

like a professional, and she appears to have a bright future, perhaps on the

green as well.

A Look Ahead

The signature weekend of the Fall Meeting is upon us with a slew of

high-quality and prestigious events. Saturday will play host to six graded

races, five of the Grade 1 variety -- $1 million Jockey Club Gold Cup; $600,000

Flower Bowl Invitational Stakes; $600,000 Joe Hirsch Turf Classic Stakes;

$400,000 Vosburgh Stakes; and the $400,000 Beldame Stakes. Rounding out the

Saturday action is the Grade 2, $400,000 Kelso Handicap.

Sunday will play host to a pair of Grade 2 races for the juveniles -- the

$200,000 Futurity Stakes for the boys and the $200,000 Matron Stakes for the

ladies.