Belmont Notebook

BELMONT NOTEBOOK

OCTOBER 20, 2011

by John Mucciolo

A pair of Grade 3 grass races took center stage this past weekend at Belmont

Park.

Knickerbocker H. (G3): Phipps Stable's homebred BOISTEROUS lived up to

his favorite's role with a nice rally in the lane to bag this one by a

half-length under John Velazquez. The four-year-old Distorted Humor colt endured

1 1/8 miles on the yielding lawn in 1:51 2/5 for conditioner Shug McGaughey.

Athenia S. (G3): Ghislaine Head's DENOMINATION was next to last after

the opening half-mile, but turned it on in the straight to win by 2 3/4 lengths

under Joe Bravo. The Christophe Clement pupil stopped the teletimer in 1:44 for

1 1/16 yielding miles.

Track Stats

A total of 38 races were held over Elmont, New York venue, with favorites

winning at a 45 percent rate and the top two betting choices combining for 61

percent of the wins. From 22 races on the main oval, just one animal won in

wire-to-wire fashion (4 percent), and three runners led at every call on the

lawn from 16 races (19 percent).

Speed didn't hold up all week on the main oval, with only one wire job from

22 races on the dirt. We did see many of the winners pressing or stalking the

early tempo, and it looked like horses traveling on the outside had an edge,

especially on Friday.

As the week progressed, horses into the race early did well on the "off"

turf, but we didn't notice any bias to report of. From three wire jobs on the

green, two were on the Widener turf, and another on the inner.

Meet Totals

RACES:		257
DIRT:		156
TURF:		101
FAVORITES:		87 (34 percent)
2ND CHOICES:		58 (23 percent)
TURF WIRE:		16 (16 percent)
DIRT WIRE:		39 (25 percent)

HORSES TO WATCH

Thursday (10/13)

5TH -- AMERICAN BUFFALO was a bit unlucky not to have won this one in a sharp

debut for conditioner Chad Brown. By Chapel Royal, the juvenile colt was far

behind a clear leader before putting in a strong rally to be a clear second,

falling one jump short.

Friday (10/14)

1ST -- POST RANCH put on a nice display here, easily taking command and

drawing off to a 7 1/4-length win for trainer Seth Benzel. The gelded Not for

Love sophomore is bred to run long and should be an interesting commodity in his

debut with winners.

3RD -- Benzel let loose another maiden winner on this day, first-time starter

HE'S A FIREBALL, who closed with a solid run to get up late. The juvenile Mr.

Greeley colt is cut out to be a nice sprinter and should be one to watch in his

return.

7TH -- DUST AND DIAMONDS didn't offer too much resistance after being passed

approaching the half-mile marker, but we liked the Vindication filly's huge win

two back and won't give up on her just yet.

Saturday (10/15)

6TH -- The talented COOL BLUE RED HOT appreciated the return from the graded

ranks with a game effort, opening up a good edge and holding on late beneath

Alex Solis. By Harlan's Holiday, the Angel Penna Jr. pupil got his final

five-sixteenths in roughly :30 flat.

8TH -- MR RYDER continued his very consistent from while finishing a clear

third, four lengths ahead of his nearest foe. The Bill Mott-trained Giant's

Causeway colt is always a threat.

Sunday (10/16)

9TH -- MONUMENT HILL loomed a big danger in early stretch, but the Royal

Academy gelding got in a bit of traffic and flattened out late while settling

for the runner-up spot. The George Weaver trainee almost always fires.

A Look Ahead

New York Showcase Day is on Saturday, with the $200,000 Empire Classic S.

being the marquee attraction.