Belmont Notebook

BELMONT NOTEBOOK

OCTOBER 3, 2013

by John Mucciolo

A slew of huge graded races topped the weekend at Belmont Park.

Jockey Club Gold Cup S. (G1): Gary Barber et al's RON THE GREEK

(Perfect Mandate) saved ground to the top of the lane and exploded thereafter,

dusting a fine field by a widening 6 3/4 lengths. The Bill Mott trainee blitzed

1 1/4 miles on the fast dirt surface in a swift 1:59 3/5 under the guidance of

Jose Lezcano.

Vosburgh S. (G1): Good Friends Stable's PRIVATE ZONE (Macho Uno) led

until late stretch, was briefly headed, but re-rallied in the final yards to

earn a neck tally beneath Martin Pedroza. The Doug O'Neill trainee sped six

panels on the fast main strip in 1:08.

Joe Hirsch Turf Classic S. (G1): Vaccarezza's homebred LITTLE MIKE

(Spanish Steps) tracked in third early, swept to the lead in upper stretch and

held off a pair of game challengers en route to a nose victory beneath Mike

Smith. The six-year-old gelding, who is trained by Dale Romans, clocked 1 1/2

miles on the firm turf in 2:25.

Flower Bowl Invitational S. (G1): Richard Santulli's LAUGHING

(Dansili) led every step of the way to earn her third straight graded win in

wire-to-wire fashion for conditioner Alan Goldberg. The peaking five-year-old

mare went 10 furlongs on the firm inner turf in 2:02 1/5 with Lezcano in the

controls.

Beldame S. (G1): King of Prussia Stable's PRINCESS OF SYLMAR (Majestic

Warrior) moved to the fore in early stretch and got the better of two-time

champion Royal Delta en route to a two-length victory for conditioner Todd

Pletcher. The sophomore filly, who was guided by Javier Castellano, clocked nine

furlongs on the main oval in 1:47 4/5.

Kelso H. (G2): Twin Creeks Racing Stables' GRAYDAR (Unbridled's Song)

went to the front early on and held on gamely in the lane in securing a

three-quarters of a length score for Pletcher. The Grade 1-winning four-year-old

sped one mile on the fast main oval in a solid 1:34 with Edgar Prado in the

silks.

Matron S. (G2): MacWilliam and Teitelbaum's homebred MISS BEHAVIOUR

(Jump Start) took command prior to the turn for home and and never looked back

in posting a one-length score for trainer Phil Schoenthal. The juvenile filly

went six furlongs on the fast dirt oval in 1:10 2/5.

Futurity S. (G2): Team D's IN TROUBLE (Tiz Wonderful) tracked in

second to midstretch and slowly wore down the pacesetter in earning a strong 2

1/4-length victory for trainer Tony Dutrow. The bay juvenile colt sped six

furlongs in 1:09 3/5 beneath Joe Rocco Jr.

Track Stats

A total of 51 races were held over Elmont, New York, venue, with favorites

winning at a 37 percent rate and the top two betting choices combining for 55

percent of the wins during the week. From 24 races on the main oval, 10 animals

won in wire-to-wire fashion (42 percent), while four of the 27 races on the lawn

were taken all the way on the front (15 percent).

Speed and horses from inner posts fared best on the main oval again this

week, a trend that started as the meet commenced. We would continue to give a

preference to runners with gate speed.

Of the four wire jobs on the turf, two came in seven-furlong runs on the

outer turf, and the other two in route races on the inner.

Meet Totals

RACES:		167
DIRT:		84
TURF:		83
FAVORITES:		48 (29 percent)
2ND CHOICES:		36 (22 percent)
TURF WIRE:		9 (11 percent)
DIRT WIRE:		36 (43 percent)

HORSES TO WATCH

Wednesday (9/25)

1ST -- INDUSTRIAL POLICY (Harlan's Holiday) put in a big late run from the

back of the pack to just miss behind the odds-on choice for conditioner Chad

Brown. The filly finished more than three lengths clear of third and should get

through this level with even slight improvement next time.

Thursday (9/26)

1ST -- WINEKEEPER (Pure Prize) shot to the front soon after the break and

cruised home an easy graduate for trainer Carlos Martin, who lost her to a

claim. We consider this a talented two-year-old filly who could win right back

for David Jacobson.

8TH -- WALK CLOSE (Tapit) moved into contention approaching the turn for home

and streaked past her foes in a fine two-length debut tally beneath Irad Ortiz

Jr. The Christophe Clement trainee overcame a slow start and really could be any

type going forward.

9TH -- CLAWBACK (Put it Back) certainly appreciated the class relief in this

dash, dominating this group by 5 1/2  lengths under the wire in getting six

panels in a swift 1:09 1/5. The Richard Violette pupil avoided a claim and will

always be a major player if placed in similar spots going forward.

Friday (9/27)

2ND -- The Bill Mott-trained WARRIOR'S CROWN (Majestic Warrior) took the lead

nearing midstretch and fell just a head shy of victory in a very nice debut run

under John Velazquez. The sophomore colt showed nice tactical speed and a turn

of foot at a trip that is very hard for first-time starters to excel at. This

could be a good one with more experience.

Saturday (9/28)

2ND -- MISCONNECT (Unbridled's Song) tracked a clear leader to midstretch and

slowly wore that one down in a professional maiden tally for conditioner Todd

Pletcher. The juvenile is bred to run longer and we think he has a nice future,

especially when he gets to route.

TOURIST (Tiznow) was a nice third in this debut run for Mott, and since we

liked the top pair, we'll expect this juvenile colt to be a major force in his

return, and possibly beyond.

6TH -- HYMN BOOK (Arch) rallied well for a nice third in a race that should

set up the Shug McGaughey trainee for success next time out. The seven-year-old

gelding has a lot of options after proving capable at this one-turn trip.

7TH -- PRIVATE ZONE had been on the wrong end of close decisions many times

since arriving in the U.S. but proved stubborn in here to earn a well deserved

Grade 1 trophy. We've long liked this sprinter and consider him a huge candidate

in the upcoming Breeders' Cup Sprint (G1).

Sunday (9/29)

8TH -- The Pletcher-trained SWEET WHISKEY (Old Fashioned) looked done in

early stretch but stayed on well late to finish second by just a length under

Velazquez. This filly ran a bit greenly but her ability to fight back was a

positive sign for a youngster.

A Look Ahead

Five graded races will top this weekend of racing at Belmont Park. Saturday

will play host to a trio of Grade 1 races -- the $500,000 Champagne Stakes,

$500,000 Jamaica Handicap and the $500,000 Frizette Stakes.

Sunday's action will be led by the Grade 3, $200,000 Miss Grillo Stakes and

the Grade 3, $200,000 Pilgrim Stakes.