Belmont Notebook
BELMONT NOTEBOOK
JUNE 23, 2011
by John Mucciolo
A surging distaffer chalked up another win to lead the weekend
at Belmont Park.
Ogden Phipps H. (G1): E Paul Robsham Stables' homebred AWESOME MARIA (Maria's Mon)
took command nearing the turn for home and spurted clear to a three-length tally
on this day for trainer Todd Pletcher. The classy four-year-old got 1 1/16 miles
in 1:41 2/5 on the fast main oval under John Velazquez.
Hill Prince S. (G3): Flying Zee Stable's STREET GAME (Street Cry [Ire]) led soon
after the start and never looked back in dominating this field by 7 1/4 lengths
for Phil Serpe. The New York-bred sophomore strode one mile on the yielding turf
in 1:36 1/5 beneath Ryan Curatolo.
Track Stats
A total of 47 races were held over Elmont, New York venue, with
favorites winning at a 36 percent rate and the top two betting choices combining
for 70 percent of the wins. From 29 races on the main oval, nine animals won in
wire-to-wire fashion (31 percent), and five runners led at every call on the
lawn from 18 races (28 percent).
Speed played well on the main oval for most of the week,
especially on Wednesday when a trio of winners led all the way from just four
dirt races.
Four of the five wire jobs on the grass this week came on the
outer lawn, three of which took place in sprints. One wire job in a router on
the outer lawn and another in an inner turf sprint accounted for the five.
Inside posts were strong once again on the dirt, with 17 of the
winners breaking from the inner three post positions.
Meet Totals
RACES: 345 DIRT: 196 TURF: 149 FAVORITES: 126 (36 percent) 2ND CHOICES: 86 (25 percent) TURF WIRE: 26 (17 percent) DIRT WIRE: 55 (28 percent)
HORSES TO WATCH
Wednesday (6/15)
1ST -- MASALA (Lion Heart) rallied from last to be a clear second
in this one and now joins the Richard Dutrow barn following the claim. The gelded
five-year-old should be tough next time at a similar class level.
3RD -- KATY NOW (Tiznow) got back to her winning ways in this one
with a wire-to-wire tally for conditioner Todd Pletcher. The four-year-old filly
finished off her final quarter-mile in a solid :24 1/5.
4TH -- COLOSSAL GIFT (Songandaprayer) rallied boldly
from well back and nearly pulled off the win on this day for conditioner
Christophe Clement. The sophomore has been close a few times and shouldn't be a
maiden for long.
Thursday (6/16)
1ST -- BLUES STREET (Street Cry [Ire]) came off the bench to
unleash his furious late run on this day, closing from last after the opening
half-mile to win this one going away. The Pletcher charge got his final
five-sixteenths on the firm turf in a rapid :28 2/5.
4TH -- In a superb debut run, HOOK IT UP (Hook and
Ladder) tracked a clear leader to midstretch and drew off late in a professional
victory for Gary Contessa. The bay debutante didn't set the teletimer on fire,
but she won this the right way and should be a stakes player.
6TH -- The Chad Brown-trained DEANAALLEN'SKITTEN
(Kitten's Joy) was near the back turning for home but closed with a rush,
getting her final quarter-mile in a splendid :21 4/5! We simply don't see many
turf runners shade :22 coming home, and this four-year-old should do just fine
in open company.
Saturday (6/18)
3RD -- The blue-blooded RAISON D'ETAT (A.P. Indy) put it all
together in this one and appears to have a very bright future for trainer Bill
Mott. Out of multiple Grade 1 queen Sightseek (Distant View), the Juddmonte
homebred poured it on late in posting a 7 3/4-length win, stopping the teletimer
in a strong 1:41 4/5.
Sunday (6/19)
4TH -- Darley homebred KINDA SPICY (A.P. Indy) made
quite the impression here at first asking for Tom Albertrani, powering home to
dust this field by more than six lengths in a superb first run. The blue-blooded
filly will be donning the royal blue silks before long.
A Look Ahead
Saturday's $250,000 Mother Goose S. (G1) and $150,000 New York
H. (G2) are the top draws this weekend.
Authors
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