Belmont Notebook

BELMONT NOTEBOOK

OCTOBER 15, 2013

by John Mucciolo

A pair of graded races on the green topped the weekend at Belmont Park.

Knickerbocker S. (G2): Live Oak's homebred ZA APPROVAL (Ghostzapper)

moved into serious contention nearing midstretch and wore down the pacesetter

inside the final furlong in registering a 1 1/4-length victory under Joel

Rosario. The Christophe Clement charge traveled nine panels on the firm inner

turf oval in a solid 1:46 3/5.

Athenia S. (G2): Hideen Brook Farm and Zucker's PIANIST (More Than

Ready) pressed the pace to early stretch, took a big lead shortly thereafter and

cruised home a facile, two-length heroine under Jose Ortiz. The four-year-old

filly, who is trained by Chad Brown, sped 1 1/16 miles on the firm turf in a

strong 1:39 4/5.

Track Stats

A total of 57 races were held at the Elmont, New York, venue, with favorites

winning at a 37 percent rate and the top two betting choices combining for 60

percent of the wins during the week. From 26 races on the main oval, six animals

won in wire-to-wire fashion (23 percent), while eight of the 31 races on the

lawn were taken all the way on the front (26 percent).

The turf oval produced a nice bunch of wire-to-wire winners, with five coming

on the inner oval (3 routes, 2 sprints), and a trio leading at every call on the

outer (2 routes, 1 sprint). With that said, we saw horses go last to first en

route to victory as well, so we would consider these ovals to be playing mostly

on the fair side.

Racing on the main oval was good for speed types on Sunday, but the week in a

whole appeared to give a slight edge top those running from off the pace, with

being a few paths off the rail good, as well.

Meet Totals

RACES:		274
DIRT:		133
TURF:		141
FAVORITES:		80 (29 percent)
2ND CHOICES:		62 (23 percent)
TURF WIRE:		22 (16 percent)
DIRT WIRE:		44 (33 percent)

HORSES TO WATCH

Wednesday (10/9)

2ND -- AMERICA (A.P. Indy) broke slow, was rushed into contention, settled

while wide and pulled away late in an impressive maiden tally for conditioner

Bill Mott. The juvenile filly came home in a solid time under Junior Alvarado

and could be a good one down the road, on the turf, perhaps.

4TH -- The John Morrison-trained MAH JONG MADNESS (Freud) put in a second

straight dominant performance and has clearly never been better. The

four-year-old filly cruised home a powerful victress against a decent field and

could be pointed for a stakes run in the near future.

8TH -- VEGAS NO SHOW (Hard Spun) endured repeated trouble in this spot and

still came through with an upset tally for Kelly Breen. The sophomore colt was

much the best in this field and we like the upside this one offers going

forward.

Thursday (10/10)

2ND -- CONGRESSIONAL PAGE (Orientate) came up short while second under

Alvarado, yet we think the eight-year-old ran the best race in the field. The

David Jacobson trainee contested the pace from the start and was just outgunned

late by a winner with a perfect trip. It's worth note that this old timer was

more than four lengths clear of third under the line in a fine try.

7TH -- GIBSON'S BULLET (Montbrook) did just about everything right except win

in this debut for conditioner Barclay Tagg, ultimately finishing a clear second

while making the winner work every step of the way. We don't imagine the

juvenile colt will be a maiden for long.

Friday (10/11)

7TH -- HILLHOUSE HIGH (Exchange Rate) had run a pair of big ones while

falling just short in her young career, the juvenile filly made pretty easy work

of this group for trainer Chad Brown, leading throughout. The Kentucky-bred

didn't set the teletimer on fire but won easily and will be tough right back

when facing winners for sure.

TRULY MIZZED (Mizzen Mast) ran what we thought was a solid second at first

asking for conditioner David Donk in a field with some nice prospects. We'll tab

her for future success, for a barn not known for cranking up their first-time

starters.

Saturday (10/12)

1ST -- WHO'S Z DADDY (The Daddy) tracked the 3-5 favorite from the start and

inched clear of that one late in a sharp maiden tally under Jose Lezcano. The

Steve Asmussen trainee showed big improvement off of his previous outing and

could be a nice one with a bit more seasoning.

ACKERMAN ROAD (Unbridled's Song) was pummeled at the windows for this debut

run and lead until late in what we thought was a fine debut showing. The Todd

Pletcher pupil exits a race with a fast final time, especially for youngsters,

and we didn't lose any feeling for the promising colt.

Sunday (10/13)

1ST -- Mott does not have all that many juveniles that win at first asking

the way MISS MELINDA (Malibu Moon) did in this one, taking over approaching the

turn for home and exploding home a 6 1/4-length winner. We will keep a keen eye

on this lass going forward.

5TH -- BAKKEN (Distorted Humor) was no secret in his debut run here and now

we know why, as the Chad Brown pupil led at every call en route to a sensational

6 1/2-length victory beneath Javier Castellano. The sophomore colt, who is half

to multiple Grade 2 queen Justwhistledixie, sped home six panels in a wicked

1:08 2/5!

A Look Ahead

There are no graded races carded for this weekend at Belmont Park.