Belmont Notebook

BELMONT NOTEBOOK

SEPTEMBER 26, 2012

by John Mucciolo

A single graded event headlined the third weekend of racing during the fall

meeting at Belmont Park.

Gallant Bloom H. (G2): Padua Stables' homebred DUST AND DIAMONDS

(Vindication) tracked the lone leader to the top of the lane, took over readily

in early stretch and cruised home an excellent 1 1/4-length heroine under Julien

Leparoux. The talented four-year-old filly went 6 1/2 furlongs in a rapid 1:14

3/5 for conditioner Steve Asmussen. The Breeders' Cup Filly & Mare Sprint is

next.

Track Stats

A total of 47 races were held at the Elmont, New York, venue, with favorites

winning at a 26 percent rate and the top two betting choices combining for 57

percent of the wins during the week. From 27 races on the main oval, six animals

won in wire-to-wire fashion (22 percent), while five of the 20 races on the lawn

were taken all the way on the front (25 percent).

We thought both ovals played about as fairly as they could last week. Speed

has been doing well on this lawn, with four of the five wire jobs coming in

route runs, three of which came on the inner oval. But many of those are simply

good horses securing an easy early edge.

Just a trio of runners breaking from outside of post six came through on the

dirt this week. But we saw all kinds of winners here, as this is one of the

fairest ovals in racing in our opinion, so we make little of that statistic.

Tracking close on the main strip early is never a bad thing, though.

Meet Totals

RACES:		114
DIRT:		66
TURF:		48
FAVORITES:		30 (26percent)
2ND CHOICES:		29 (25 percent)
TURF WIRE:		15 (31 percent)
DIRT WIRE:		16 (24 percent)

HORSES TO WATCH

Wednesday (9/19)

4TH -- Trainer David Jacobson may have claimed a good one when he got the

easy winner, RICE TO RICHES (J Be K), who won for fun at 3-5 odds. The debuting

juvenile filly showed good early speed and impressed when closing in :24 1/5

down the lane under a strong hand ride.

Thursday (9/20)

3RD -- AWESOME FEATHER (Awesome of Course) stayed unbeaten in this one with a

most impressive 11 1/4-length romp under Jeffrey Sanchez. The champion

four-year-old wasn't facing bad competition but is simply on another level

compared to most of her foes. Wow!

Friday (9/21)

7TH -- ABACO (Giant's Causeway) made a nice sustained run to prove best in

this field in reeling off her second straight score for conditioner Shug

McGaughey. The improving four-year-old filly will likely be a contender right

back on this lawn, and could be stakes bound with continues progression.

Saturday (9/22)

4TH -- BROWN INDIAN (Kafwain) showed good tactical foot, lost some ground

approaching the final turn, and came again in a solid runner-up effort for

conditioner George Weaver. We're not sure if this one was ever getting the

winner, but the colt showed us something in this spot.

8TH -- ASSOCIATE (Wando) was very game in this one and proved a lot, dueling

through wicked splits and having plenty left to take this one easily late for

conditioner Richard Dutrow Jr. The four-year-old colt is very good up to this

distance and surely belongs with stakes foes

9TH -- JUDY THE BEAUTY (Ghostzapper) put in another strong second-place

showing in succession, this time against elders, and has proven her vast ability

for conditioner Wesley Ward.

Sunday (9/23)

2ND -- DANCE CARD (Tapit) passed her class test with ease in this one,

powering home a most impressive stakes winner today under Ramon Dominguez. The

Kiaran McLaughlin trainee showed fine early foot and came home in a swift :30

3/5, suggesting that she has a lot more to offer. She could be a really good one

with progression.

3RD -- LUNAR VICTORY (Speightstown) came up short as the favorite in this

one, but lost to a fine gelding and could have running at a trip just shy of his

best in this one for conditioner Bill Mott. The five-year-old still has a lot of

class and should be primed for a big showing next out, preferably at two turns.

4TH -- SHAKEIRA (Freud) put in yet another fine performance today and nearly

ran down the winner who had a clear early lead through soft splits. The Chad

Brown charge is a model of consistency and will once again be tough next time.

5TH -- NONNIE CONNIE (Frost Giant) was a bit wide in her debut but closed

with good energy to be a clear second, and the filly likely won't be a maiden

for long. We thought this field was very well balanced and a few out of here

could come back with good showings.

A Look Ahead

Super Saturday is upon us, the biggest day of the fall meeting. The fine card

includes the Grade 1, $1 million Jockey Club Gold Cup; Grade 1, $600,000 Joe

Hirsch Turf Classic Invitational; Grade 1, $600,000 Flower Bowl Invitational;

Grade 1, $400,000 Beldame Invitational; Grade 1, $400,000 Vosburgh Invitational

and the Grade 2, $400,000 Kelso Handicap.

Sunday plays host to a pair of races for the youngsters: the Grade 2,

$200,000 Futurity Stakes and the Grade 2, $200,000 Matron Stakes.