Belmont Notebook

BELMONT NOTEBOOK

SEPTEMBER 26, 2010

by Albie Johnson

The Championship Fall meet began on September 11 with a bit of the usual

let-down following the big session at Saratoga, which for many years now has been

the highlight of the racing calendar in New York.

The 52nd running of the Bowling Green H.(G2) was the featured event on

opening day and a field of seven (following 4 late scratches) faced the

starter in the 1 3/8-mile contest run on the inner turf course.

A comfortable pace was set by Strike a Deal (Smart Strike), who was trying to

recover his form after racing poorly since winning the Dixie (G2) at Pimlico

earlier this year. Veteran would hold the lead until midstretch when he

gradually gave way to Simmard (Dixieland Band). AL KHALI (Medaglia d'Oro) and race favorite Winchester (Theatrical)

would subsequently join the fray, and the three

horses battled furiously to the wire, winding up in a three horse photo that went to Al Khali by a neck

over Winchester, with Simmard another nose back in third.

The winning ridgling has been a model of consistency since switching to the

infield in June of 2009 and recorded his second graded win after previously

taking the Saranac (G3) at Saratoga last year.

Bill Mott trains the winner and Alan Garcia contributed a strong ride in his

first ever aboard the four-year-old.

The first Grade 1 of this session, the Garden City at 1 1/8 miles on the

turf, attracted a group of seven three-year-old fillies on the following Saturday

(September 18), with the public landing on CHECK THE LABEL (Stormin Fever) as

the even-money favorite. As

expected the pace was set by Queen of the Creek (Theatrical [Ire]), who was coming off a

pair of wire-to-wire wins at Saratoga and was one of two fillies from the

barn of Tom Proctor that ran as separate interests.

Both she and pace-prompters Negligee (Northern Afleet) and Triple

Cream (Tapit) would all be done by early stretch, setting it up for the back

markers to decide the issue. Gitchee Goomie (City Zip) had first run and reached

the front briefly in midstretch but quickly gave way to the fast-closing Check

the Label, who surged past and had enough left to hold off the second of the Proctor

pair, Snow Top Mountain (Najran), by three parts of a length, with Gitchee Goomie another

length back in third.

The winning filly is trained by Graham Motion and garnered her fourth graded

stakes in a row, having previously won the Appalachian (G3) at

Keeneland, Sands Point (G2) on this course and the Virginia Oaks (G3) at

Colonial Downs in her previous outing.

One day later, a field of eight older fillies and mares went a mile on the main

turf course in the Noble Damsel (G3).

Very ambitious and fast pace was set by C. S. Silk (Medaglia d'Oro), who opened

up a seven-length lead midway through the race; it was apparent at that point

that runners coming from off the pace would decide this contest.

"Silk" held until they turned into the stretch when she was inhaled by a

quartet of closers, with STRIKE THE BELL (Mizzen Mast) finishing fastest of all

to win going away by 1 1/4 lengths over Quiet Meadow (El Prado [Ire]), who just missed in

this event in 2009. Scolara (Quiet American) ran on well for the show spot, one

length back.

The winning filly was taking her first stakes and benefited from a smart

ground-saving ride by Ramon Dominguez and trainer Dave Donk had this runner

sharp in her second back off almost a two month break.

Track conditions

The dirt here played fairly during the first seven days of

racing and both turf courses favored runners that were racing close-up or

in midpack early on.

Leaders

Through the first seven days of racing, Rudy Rodriquez held a one-win

margin (five to four) in the trainer's race over both Pletcher and Barclay Tagg, who had a very quiet meet at Saratoga. While Dominguez and John

Velazquez (who won the riding title at the Spa.) were tied with 11 wins apiece

atop the riders standings.

HORSES TO WATCH

Saturday (9/11)

3RD -- D'ARGENTO (Eurosilver) was bumped soundly soon after the start and

rallied while four-to-five wide to get up for the place spot. Bottom dwelling

maiden claimer shouldn't be winless much longer.

4TH -- Making his second start, CHARLIES SWELL (Malibu Moon) showed a much

improved effort as he chased the pace while wide and continued on strongly to

finish second, beaten a nose for the Nick Zito barn. Colt was increasing in distance and

appeared to relish the added ground

Thursday (9/16)

3RD -- Making only her second start and stretching out to a mile, ALSEERA (Distorted Humor) broke on top, repulsed a pair of strong challenges, and drew clear late to win by 1

1/2 lengths in good time (1:37.58) for a lightly-raced juvenile. The $600,000 sales yearling is in the Shadwell Barn and trained

by Kiaran McLaughlin.

4TH -- Away fort 11 months, WHISKED AWAY (Victory Gallop) ran well in

this spot as he raced wide the whole race and rallied late to finish third, beaten

just under three lengths. Lightly raced and in a top barn (Mott), he should

improve enough next out to beat similar.

Friday (9/17)

2ND -- Racing for only the third time and with Lasix added and blinkers

removed, WIND IN MY SAILS (Wiseman's Ferry) ran a much improved race to finish

third

in this $16K maiden claimer. She should move forward enough next out to pick up

her maiden win.

Upcoming stakes

Saturday: The Gallant Bloom (G2) for fillies and mares, three and up, at 6

1/2 furlongs

Have a nice week!!