Belmont Notebook

BELMONT NOTEBOOK

JULY 20, 2005

by Bernard T. Moore

With the opening of the prestigious Saratoga meet just around the corner, one

would think that all of the news coming out of Belmont Park these days would

pertain to that upcoming meet. Not so. Last Thursday, shock waves emanated

around Belmont Park when it was announced that the New York Racing Association (NYRA)

had terminated racing secretary and handicapper Mike Lakow, along with chief

examining veterinarian Dr. Celeste Kunz. Vice president of human resources and

labor relations, Ralph Chetcuti, was let go as well and in addition, NYRA

steward David Hicks exited by retirement.

These decisions were made public by Charles Hayward, the president and CEO of

the New York Racing Association.

"It's my responsibility to evaluate the whole organization and the different

departments," Hayward said "There are issues with each of the individuals

involved. I am not going to comment on personnel decisions."

He did not elaborate further on the firings.

Once again in New York, racing is in the spotlight as Hayward attempts to

"strengthen" NYRA management. Horsemen were irked by the dismissal of Lakow, who

was extremely well liked. When Hayward elected not to discuss

reasons for the Lakow firing at a hastily called trainer's meeting, he only

served to alienate horsemen even more.

I'm sure that these terminations were not out of hand, and there are valid

reasons of which the public is not aware of. However, these dismissals still

cast an unfavorable light upon NYRA, as they continue to be put under a microscope.

These actions were obviously deemed necessary by Mr. Hayward. NYRA clearly has

to put their best foot forward at the Spa, the jewel of their racing season, as

any further hint of impropriety could have a lasting and telling effect on New

York racing.

Saturday's feature was the Bowling Green H. (G2) at 1 3/8 miles over the

inner turf course. On paper, it appeared to be  Relaxed Gesture's

(Ire) (Indian Ridge) race to lose. However, CACHT WELLS (Arg) (Poliglote) had other

ideas on that subject, holding on grimly in deep stretch to withstand the late

bid of even-money favorite Relaxed Gesture.

Trained by Stanley Hough, the Argentenian-bred runner was with the pace from the

outset and then seized a tenuous lead in the stretch. The runner-up, who was

bottled up behind horses while stalking the pedestrian pace down the

backstretch, was maneuvered to the outside for the stretch run, but simply could

not overtake the winner in the final yards.

Dreadnaught (Lac Quimet), who raced close to the slow pace as well, was forced

to steady racing down the backstretch, losing valuable position and any hopes of

winning. He was able to rally somewhat in the stretch, but was obviously

compromised by that incident and the dawdling early pace.

Regrettably, the winner was reported to have taken a bad step pulling up

after the race. Initial reports indicate that it is nothing serious, but any

problem, even something trivial, can lead to unforeseen complications.

The "Giant Killer" was up to his old tricks again on Sunday in the Tom Fool

H. (G2). Allen Jerkens, who has pulled of numerous upsets in his illustrious

career as a trainer, added yet another of those triumphs to his resume as

SMOKUME (Smoke Glacken) emerged victorious by a length in the Sunday feature.

Ridden by his regular pilot, Chantal Sutherland, Smokume relaxed nicely while

stalking the pace of Philly Park invader Gadace's Khamseh (Piccolino) while

racing towards the rail.

They were able to displace the pacesetter on the front

end upon entering the stretch while moving off the inside, and then built up an

insurmountable lead with a furlong remaining. Willy O'The Valley (Will's Way)

steadily cut Smokume's advantage, but was left with to much do and had to settle

for second. Clever Electrician (Clever Trick) finished third and was never a

serious threat. Swingforthefences (Boston Harbor) raced towards the back of the

pack early on and reported home fourth as the 2-1 favorite in a non-descript

effort.

With just a week remaining in the Belmont Park meet, Edgar Prado has the

jockey title sewn up. Eibar Coa also enjoys a sizeable advantage over Javier

Castellano in the race for second place. Richard Migliore and John Velazquez

round out the top five.

It is a real horserace, sorry for the pun, to determine who will wind up with

the trainer's title. Bill Mott holds a tenuous one-win lead over Todd Pletcher

and Juan Rodriguez. Christophe Clement and Mike Hushion are dead-locked for the

fourth spot.

The main track clearly favored speed to begin the week, and it seemed even

more pronounced on Thursday. The bias all but disappeared on Friday, and the

track played quite fairly over the weekend. The only discernible path bias

emerged on Sunday, when the outside part of the track seemed better.

On grass, closers ruled on the Widener turf course on Thursday, while speed

did well over the inner turf. Off the pace runners were advantaged over the

inner course on Friday and the Widener played evenly. Both courses seemed fair

on Saturday and all of Sunday's grass events were washed to the main track.

HORSES TO WATCH

Wednesday (7/13)

7TH - FLAMING HEART (Touch Gold) turned in a very creditable second-place

finish in her first effort beyond seven furlongs despite a stumbling start. Set

a very strong and pressured pace, yielding the lead to an odds-on winner who was

dropping from stakes company. Might be better suited to a dirt sprint.

8TH - PROVINCIAL (Pulpit) showed vast improvement making just her second

start on grass and reuniting with jockey F. Jara. May have made a premature move

to gain the lead in the stretch, weakening slightly late under pressure. This

granddaughter of A.P. Indy has but one run, and needs her rally timed just right

to be at her best.

Thursday (7/14)

1ST - CURED (Take Me Out) was a useful third in his career debut. Held well

chasing the pace throughout and should have derived beneficial conditioning and

experience from this effort. Dam's other runner to race improved in second

career start to win. 

7TH - GREAT LADY K (Kelly Kip) showed a much-improved effort dropping back

into an early-level allowance contest. Gave futile chase to odds-on favorite who

controlled the pace throughout while clearly second best. Appears poised for a

top effort in her next start if properly spotted.

Friday (7/15)

1ST - HUDSON VALLEY (Peaks and Valleys) continues to slowly round into form

for trainer Richard Violette. Decent fourth-place finish in second start off the

shelf. Stalked the pace to the midstretch before tiring slowly in a race that

finished up well late in just her second grass start. Comes from a family of

turf winners. May be set for a career best effort in third start off a layoff.

4TH - TOMORROWS DANCE (Tomorrows Cat) suffered a heartbreaking second-place

finish in her well meant debut. Rallied in tandem with the odds-on winning

favorite only to be outgamed by that rival in deep stretch by a neck. Hails from

a dam who won going short or long and won over turf and on a wet track.

5TH - WAR MARSHALL (A.P. Indy) showed dramatic form reversal stretching out

in second start off the bench. Made a strong move into a quick pace and built up

a daylight lead in midstretch only to squander that advantage in the final

yards. Should have derived beneficial conditioning and experience from his first

effort beyond seven furlongs. Bred on both sides of his pedigree to relish a

route of ground and may eventually be switched to grass.

Saturday (7/16)

2ND - POLITICAL FORCE (Unbridled's Song) was a strong second in his career

debut. Was a bad actor prior to the start and then broke awkwardly and had to be

rushed up to contest the early pace. Loomed boldly in the stretch, but weakened

under pressure late while racing greenly and lugging in a bit. Should have

derived beneficial conditioning and experience from this effort, and is bred to

win early in his career.

6TH - GEMMIE A SATELLITE (Satellite Sun) obviously regressed off a career-best effort in his first start against winners. Lacked the necessary punch in

the stretch attempting to rally. Probably would benefit from more distance as a

flat mile appears a bit short for him.

8TH - Dreadnaught was forced to steady down the backstretch

losing all position behind excruciatingly slow fractions up front. Re-rallied while

racing wide into the stretch in a good effort to take down the show. Has run

well at Saratoga in the past, albeit versus softer competition. Needs only a

more honest pace scenario and clear sailing to register his initial win in 2005.

Sunday (7/17)

8TH - WILLY O'THE VALLEY (Will's Way) dispensed a more characteristic effort,

closing strongly in the stretch to take down the place in a race that finished

up well late. Can improve on this showing at the Spa, a course that he won on

last year. Loves seven furlongs and a track containing even the slightest hint

of moisture.

9TH - MY FRIEND C.Z. (Seeking the Gold) exhibited surprise speed to set a

very quick and pestered pace towards the deeper inside before giving way badly.

May prefer a dry track and rating tactics in subsequent starts.