Belmont Notebook

BELMONT PARK NOTEBOOK

MAY 19, 2005

by Bernard T. Moore

While Belmont Park continues to celebrate its 100th anniversary during its

spring meet, the track is also making preparations to play host for the final

leg of the Triple Crown, which will be held on June 11th. Now that everyone

has finally had a chance to absorb the astonishing results of the Kentucky

Derby (G1), NYRA management would like nothing more than for Giacomo (Holy Bull) to

be successful in the Preakness S. (G1) this coming Saturday. A victory by him

would obviously be a boon to business on Belmont S. (G1) day with the possibility

existing for a Triple Crown winner.

Meanwhile, tending to current business, the Genuine Risk H. (G2) for

fillies and mares going six furlongs was conducted last Saturday. It featured the

return of Friendly Michelle (Artax) to Belmont Park, where she annexed the

Prioress S. (G1) as a three-year-old. She was dispatched as the 9-5 choice

in the wagering, but ultimately it would be a previously beaten favorite who

would take down top honors, with BANK AUDIT (Wild Rush) closing strongly in the

final yards to emerge victorious by a scant nose over Sensibly Chic (Distorted

Humor) in a thrilling stretch run.

Trained by Frank Labocetta Jr., Bank Audit

was a huge disappointment in the Bed o' Roses Breeders' Cup H. (G3) at Aqueduct last

month. However, she atoned for that defeat by finishing with a purpose in the

Genuine Risk, taking full advantage of a lightning quick pace to have her nose

in front at the wire. Sensibly Chic, an unlucky loser, seized command in the

stretch from subsequent third-place finisher Forest Music (Unbridled's Song),

who began to feel the effects of her early exploits on the front end. The

runner-up came within an eyelash of holding off the winner, eventually losing a

nose in the last few strides. Friendly Michelle forgot to bring her "A" race to

New York for trainer Bob Baffert this time, and was never a factor and wound up

finishing fifth.

Ten evenly matched New York-bred runners took to the Belmont Park inner turf

course on Sunday for the Kingston H. at 1 1/8 miles. Pa Pa Da (Incurable

Optimist), fresh from a near-course record performance at Aqueduct, was

installed as the 7-2 favorite. However, the second-place finisher from that

effort, GOLDEN COMMANDER (Deputy Commander), exacted revenge in the Kingston, as

he decisively defeated Pa Pa Da, and everyone else, to win by four-widening

lengths in course-record time. Golden Commander benefited from a ground-saving

ride by jockey Edgar Prado before being angled out for racing room in the

stretch. Once in the clear, he kicked into overdrive and spurted away to win by

daylight. Sicilian Boy (Senor Speedy) ran a winning race to finish second while

stepping up in class. He simply had the misfortune to run into a buzz saw named

Golden Commander who 'freaked.' Save the Profit finished three-quarters of a length farther

behind in third while returning off a layoff. Pa Pa Da was merely a shell of his

former self as he got caught wide throughout in a typical showing while

finishing

next-to-last.

The main track appeared to be quite honest to begin the week, but then seemed

to favor early speed, albeit slightly, thru Saturday. On Sunday, the track

appeared bias free. There did not appear to be any appreciable path biases all

week. The turf course played fairly just about all week, but early speed did

better than one would normally expect on Saturday.

Richard Migliore has a single-victory edge over Prado in the race for

leading jockey. They are followed by Eibar Coa, Norberto Arroyo Jr. and John

Velazquez.

There is a three-way battle for leading trainer between Richard Dutrow Jr.,

Mike Hushion and Dominic Galluscio. Robert Barbara and Christophe Clement are in

a dead heat for fourth.

HORSES TO WATCH

Wednesday (5/11)

4TH – BRISTOL LANE (Stravinsky) was a decisive winner in good time adding blinkers

and facing New York breds. Relaxed nicely stalking a loose front runner and took

over when ready and then proceeded to draw clear.

Should improved with age and distance and appears able to handle a rise in

class, tackling winners in her next start.

7TH – CONGLEVE (Ire) (Ashkalani) had a tough trip in his Belmont debut when well

bet. Broke a tad slowly from the rail, costing him valuable early position.

Forced to steady and check several times down the backstretch and never really got

untracked in his U.S. turf unveiling.

8TH – LIFE (Fr) (Anabaa) is clearly not the same horse on dirt. Barely lifted a

hoof, beaten double-digit lengths while finishing fourth. Deserves another

chance if switched to her preferred surface in her next start.

Thursday (5/12)

1ST – FINES CREEK (Pentelicus) finished a good second-place finish off the Schosberg

re-claim while reuniting with Velazquez. Finished well late to gain

second in a race that was fast for the class level. Loves the seven-furlong

distance.

9TH – EXALTED CAT (Tomorrows Cat) came up a tad short off a prolonged layoff.

Raced evenly chasing home a dominant winner. Should have derived beneficial

conditioning from this effort.

Friday (5/13)

6TH – GIANT REDWOOD (Pleasant Tap) suffered a brutal trip off the shelf with the

addition of blinkers. Did not save an inch of ground and was forced

extremely wide on the turn and into the stretch while rallying against

a modest pace and a ground-saving winner.

7TH – DYLANS DESTINY (Tomorrows Cat) finished a creditable second when returning to his favorite

track. Gave futile chase to an authoritative winner in a swiftly run race. May

be set for best in his next start making his third start off the layoff.

Saturday (5/14)

7TH – RELAXED GESTURE (Ire) (Indian Ridge) recorded a decisive win stretching out to

10 furlongs. Rallied smartly off a pedestrian pace to gain command in the stretch and

drew clear under modest encouragement while quickening noticeably late. Working

his way up the class ladder and should be seen in stakes company in the not too

distant future.

8TH – SMOKEY GLACKEN (Forestry) took on a tough task returning from an extended layoff.

Forced to dispute an excruciatingly fast pace and understandably wilted in the

stretch. Would definitely benefit from a class drop and should move forward off

this effort.

Sunday (5/15)

1ST – TAKE THE BLUFF (Pine Bluff) showed a dramatic form reversal adding blinkers and

switching to Belmont. Closed with good energy late to reduce his deficit,

finishing third versus rivals who enjoyed ground-saving trips.

3RD – EXECUTION (Exploit) was overmatched in a rather tough $50,000 maiden claimer

sprint. Clearly prefers a route of ground and might benefit from a class drop

to basement maiden claimers. Best efforts to date have come at a flat mile.