Belmont Notebook

BELMONT NOTEBOOK

JUNE 26, 2008

by Bernard T. Moore

MAURALAKANA (Fr) (Muhtathir [GB]), the 123-pound highweight in the New York

S.

(G2) on Saturday, sat close to a tepid early pace and then was able to outfinish

Dynaforce (Dynaformer) to emerge victorious by a long neck. Jockey Kent

Desormeaux kept Mauralakana within shouting distance of the lead as Tejida

(Rahy) set a controlled pace down the backstretch. The eventual winner was

finally turned loose by Desormeaux leaving the far turn, and Mauralakana, Dynaforce and Tejida

raced three abreast of each other into upper stretch.

Mauralakana eventually secured a tenuous half-length advantage passing

midstretch, and then held on grimly to the lead to triumph, repelling late bids

from Dynaforce and Hostess (Chester House) to prevail. Tejida tired slowly once

displaced on the front end and wound up fourth.

On Sunday, TIN CUP CHALICE (Crusader Sword), making his initial start away

from Finger Lakes, kept his unbeaten streak intact with a fine front-running

score in the Mike Lee S. Owned in part by trainer by Michael Lecesse, Tin Cup

Chalice worked his way to lead under jockey Pedro Rodriguez, and then set up

shop on the front end down the backstretch. He remained two lengths in front

passing the eighth pole, and was able to withstand rallies from Groomedforvictory (Victory Gallop) and Megapixel (Tale of the Cat), who finished

second and third, respectively.

There were no running style or path biases on the main track last week. Speed

held well over the inner turf course on Wednesday. The Widener turf course

played fair all week.

HORSES TO WATCH

Wednesday (6/18)

2ND - FINAL STORY (Cryptoclearance) put forth an improved effort while dropping in class.

The dark bay raced evenly to finish second while chasing a loose wire-to-wire winner.

His lone

win so far this year came over a distance of ground.

7TH - CORI'S STAR (Came Home) ran well despite slow fractions while

returning from a freshening. She was forced to rally into a rapid final furlong

to get the show, and appears to be at her best when racing on or near the early lead.

Thursday (6/19)

2ND - SOFTLY SPOKEN (Greatness) put forth a strong second-place effort to begin

her career.

The gray lass finished with good energy late in a race that was fast throughout. She is bred

on both sides of her pedigree for a sprint.

8TH - GRAND COUTURIER (GB) (Grand Lodge) was compromised by a pedestrian

pace returning off a long layoff and did well to finish a close-up third in a

race that quickened noticeably late. He needs only a more flattering pace

scenario to get back on the winning track.

Friday (6/20)

3RD - HUNTING (Coronado's Quest) could not improve his position against a

pedestrian pace, running evenly to finish fourth. He needs only a livelier pace

scenario to improve off this showing.

6TH - CHANCED (American Chance) regressed a bit off a career-best effort in

her prior start while stepping up and stretching out in distance. She set a

controlled pace, but weakened in the stretch under pressure to finish third.

It appears as if she would benefit from a cutback in distance.

Saturday (6/21)

1ST - BON MARIE (Bon Point [GB]) put forth an even effort chasing fast fractions at nine

furlongs. The bay lacked clear sailing down the backstretch and around the far turn, but

could not quicken when called upon. He appears to be most effective up to 1 1/16

miles.

9TH - Dynaforce was a sharp second in her U.S. debut. She

was simply out-moved by the more-accomplished winner turning for home, but

continued on gamely to the finish in a strong effort. The bay will obviously be a

force in marathon grass contests this summer.

Sunday (6/22)

3RD - FIDELIO (Awesome Again) remained unbeaten in 2008 with a dominant daylight win in

good time. He certainly appears capable of handling a rise in class and more

distance as well in his next start.

9TH - THAT'SRIGHTOFFICER (Officer) put forth a creditable showing despite being

ambitiously spotted while cutting back in distance. The dark bay closed with good energy to

nearly get the show in a race that finished up well late. He could improve off this

race with a class drop and more ground.