Belmont Notebook

BELMONT PARK NOTEBOOK

JULY 6, 2006

by Bernard T. Moore

Seven straight days of racing. Can you stand it? This long stretch of racing,

which just concluded on Tuesday, was a hint of what will be coming up at

Saratoga later this month. To be fair, there will be one day off, Tuesdays, so

we can catch our breath and deposit some money into our wagering accounts.

Better get tied on!

Throughout her career, BUSHFIRE (Louis Quatorze) has been extremely difficult

to discourage when headed on the front end. Once again, this Florida-bred runner

demonstrated exactly why that statement is true, this time in the Mother Goose

S. (G1) on Saturday. Reuniting with jockey Edgar Prado, the pair immediately set

up shop on the lead. However, Teammate (A.P. Indy) was able to wrestle the lead

away from Bushfire before a half-mile, with the eventual winner content to race

just to her outside. Bushfire was far from being finished, and went after the

pacesetter in earnest around the far turn. She then secured a daylight advantage

upon entering the stretch, and held on grimly to lead, refusing to yield as she

withstood a belated rally from Pine Island (Arch) in deep stretch to score by

three parts of a length.

The runner-up was outrun during the early stages of the race before offering

a wide rally leaving the far turn. She continued to sustain her bid in the

stretch and was eventually angled toward the rail in midstretch for her final

bid. She finished with good energy as she suffered her initial career defeat.

Ready to Please (More Than Ready) sat a good stalking trip before moving to

challenge Bushfire for command in the stretch. She simply wasn't up to the task,

but remained well clear of the fourth-place finisher, Lemons Forever (Lemon Drop

Kid). Lemons Forever raced in the second flight off runners throughout and was

unable to improve her position when called upon.

Later on the Saturday card, INVASOR (Arg) (Candy Stripes) kept his perfect

U.S. record intact with an impressive daylight victory in the Suburban H. (G1).

The Kiaran McLaughlin-trained runner was allowed to relax off an early duel for

the lead down the backstretch. With Fernando Jara in the irons, Invasor hit the

front in the stretch, and spurted clear when ultimately set down by his rider to

win going away by 4 1/4 lengths as the 6-5 favorite. Wild Desert (Wild Rush)

broke alertly from his inside post and was then was gathered back by Prado. The

pair were trapped in and among runners down the backstretch and around the turn,

and could not obtain clear sailing until the stretch while racing a bit wide. By

this time, the damage was already done as Invasor was in full stride. Wild

Desert continued to finish with interest, getting the place by a length over

Andromeda's Hero (Fusaichi Pegasus).

On Sunday, Belmont Park presented the 100th running of the Astoria S. for

two-year-old fillies. DESIRE TO EXCEL (Mt. Livermore) certainly outran her 24-1

posttime odds as she dominated the competition to win by five widening lengths.

A forward factor from the outset, Desire to Excel took the lead away from

Churchill Downs invader She's Roughin It (Forest Camp) and then drew clear with

complete authority. Octave (Unbridled's Song), another Kentucky shipper, was

dispatched as the 4-5 favorite. She saved ground while racing within shouting

distance of the pacesetters, and rallied for second by a half-length over a

tired She's Roughin It. Cool the Economy (Mazel Trick) flashed speed to the far

turn before dropping back and finished last.

REBEL REBEL (Ire) (Revoque) failed to win in four consecutive turf stakes for

trainer Richard Dutrow Jr. Nevertheless, the four-year-old Irish-bred runner

remedied that situation with a decisive 2 1/4-length victory in the Poker H.

(G3). Because of a modest early pace, Rebel Rebel was only slight more than

two-lengths off the leaders despite racing in sixth position around the far

turn. He began to pick up the pace when given his cue by jockey Prado, rallying

to the lead with a furlong remaining. He proceeded to add to that advantage,

subsequently winning by a comfortable 2 1/4-length margin. Remarkable News (Ven)

(Chayim) closed late to finish second with Vicarage (Vicar), who was making just

his second start on grass, getting the show. Around the Cape (Carson City), the

9-2 third choice in the wagering, chased the pace to the stretch and retreated

to finish sixth.

She didn't win exactly win like a 1-5 shot, but BEHAVING BADLY (Pioneering)

got the job done, triumphing in the Genuine Risk Breeders'

Cup H. (G2) by a hard-fought half-length on Monday. With rating tactics being

employed by jockey Garrett Gomez, Behaving Badly raced outside of rivals around

the turn prior to launching her bid in earnest in the stretch. She had to work

to get by a stubborn Stormy Kiss (Arg) (Bernstein), who set the pace from the

start, and then fend off a late-charging Swap Fliparoo (Exchange Rate) to come

away with the victory. The second-place finisher was forced to alter course in

the stretch as she began her final rally. Swap Fliparoo lost valuable momentum

as result of changing lanes, and definitely would have made been closer, and

quite possibly could have won with clear sailing. Stormy Kiss retreated to

finish third.

NYRA presented two stakes on its special Fourth of July holiday program with

the Tremont S. for juvenile runners taking center stage.

Overcoming an eventful start, OUT OF GWEDDA (Out of Place) still handled the

opposition without much difficulty as he annexing his initial stakes win. The

1-5 favorite in a compact field with John Velazquez aboard, Out of Gwedda was

righted by Velazquez shortly after his compromising getaway. He was then allowed

to settle into stride prior to being asked for his best, ultimately displacing

Gonzo Bonzo Beans (Prospect Bay) on the lead. He then drew clear by 2 1/4

lengths under modest encouragement, with Gonzo Bonzo Beans a clear second and

Pride of Seattle (Slew City Slew) third. Superstar Lebo (Kelly Kip), who like

the favorite, stumbled leaving the gate, barely lifted a hoof and finished last.

The winner, saddled by Todd Pletcher, ran the 5 1/2-furlongs over a fast track

in a pedestrian 1:06 3/5.

STRONG CONTENDER (Maria's Mon), who ran third in his two prior starts against

graded stakes rivals, demonstrated that attempt number three would finally be

the charm as he soundly defeated five rivals to emerge victorious in the Dwyer

S. (G2). This $800,000 juvenile purchase finally put it all together as he

settled into fifth-place early on before engaging the leaders around the far

turn. An opening along the rail proved to be quite beneficial for Strong

Contender as he was able to gain command, and then increase his lead with every

stride to score by 7 3/4 lengths. Doc Cheney (Saint Ballado) was a suck-up

second, with Da Stoops (Distorted Humor), who pressed the pace from the outset,

tiring badly in the stretch to finish a well-beaten third. Keyed Entry (Honour

and Glory), sent off as the 9-5 favorite in the betting, broke inward at the

start from his rail post. He was able to recover and dictate the early pace, but

floundered badly once displaced on the front end and did not beat a horse.

Eibar Coa continues to lead Prado in the jockey standings, with Cornelio

Velasquez completing the top three. Gary Contessa and Dutrow flip-flopped spots

in the trainer standings again last week, with the former moving back into the

top spot. Pletcher maintains his hold on the third-place.

The main track was virtually bias-free right through the July 4th holiday.

The lone exception being on Monday, when closers did well in route contests.

There was no discernible path bias last week.

When turf racing returned on Thursday, off the pace runners held a distinct

advantage over both grass courses. Both courses appeared to play fairly on

Friday and continued that way until Tuesday.

HORSES TO WATCH

Wednesday (6/28)

3RD – BURMILLA (Storm Cat) put forth a sharp effort returning from a layoff.

She dueled for the lead and then opened up in the stretch to win drawing clear.

The chestnut miss has won by daylight margins in both career starts and may be a

future stakes winner for her high profile connections.

8TH – ORGANIZER (Raffie's Majesty) used the wrong tactics in arguing fast

fractions while tackling open company rivals. He seems to prefer a target to run

at.

Thursday (6/29)

6TH – YANKEE THUNDER (Thunder Gulch) was an impressive winner in his well

bet/well meant career debut. The sophomore stalked the early pace and drew clear

in the stretch when ready in good time. He hails from a family of turf stakes

winners and should only get better with distance and experience.

9TH – ACCESS ALEX (Semoran) was a good third dropping and returning to a dry

track off a freshening. The bay miss finished with good energy to nearly get the

place in a swiftly run contest, and has room for further progress, especially

with added distance and a more favorable post.

Friday (6/30)

7TH – INDIAN FLARE (Cherokee Run) was a heartbreaking second off the shelf,

arguing a very fast pace only to be outgamed late. She should have derived

beneficial conditioning from this effort and might be able to carry her speed

over a middle distance of ground.

Saturday (7/1)

1ST – GLITTERNMEPORRIDGE (Glitterman) was a noteworthy fourth cutting back in

distance on a fast track. He forced an extremely quick pace and then tired

slowly late. The bay seems to be at his best in sprints.

8TH – Lemos Forever failed to fire off a career-best effort shipping into

Belmont. She was one-paced throughout in a non-descript effort. Two turns and a

change in venue might suit her better.

9TH – Wild Desert was a good second chasing home a dominant winner. The bay

lacked clear sailing at strategic points in the race and rallied wide entering

the stretch. He would have been closer with a better trip.

Sunday (7/2)

4TH – ELDER SKATESMAN (Adios My Friend) displayed a dramatic reversal in form

switching to grass. He trailed the field early and then closed strongly in the

stretch, beaten just two lengths at odds of 58-1. The chestnut has obviously

found a home on the grass, but should be given time to recoup from this career

best effort.

5TH – EMMA CARLY (Unbridled's Song) awoke with a surface switch in her second

lifetime start. She failed to sustain a rally into the stretch as the race

quickened late. Her dam won four races on the turf so further progress is

anticipated for a good grass trainer in Bill Mott.

Monday (7/3)

1ST – ONE TOUGH DUDE (Rubiyat) coughed up a huge daylight lead on the front

end over a track favoring come-from-behind runners in routes. Also, he might

have been entered back too quickly on short rest. The bay fits well at this

level and can rebound from this effort with a freshening.

3RD – Swap Fliparoo was a strong second facing older rivals. She rallied off

a modest pace and was then forced to alter course in the midst of her rally in

the stretch, causing her to lose valuable momentum.

Tuesday (7/4)

2ND – MARQUET DESIRE (Marquetry) was a useful fourth in his career debut. He

began to improve his position on the turn while racing a bit wide, but could not

sustain his bid in a swiftly run contest. The chestnut should have derived

beneficial conditioning and experience from this effort, as he hails from a

rather ordinary first-out sire.

5TH – SOARING BY (Deputy Minister) is a good-looking juvenile winner from the

Pletcher barn. The dark bay colt exhibited good speed to track the front runners

and then leveled off nicely when asked the stretch to win drawing away in fast

time. He bears watching at Saratoga.