Belmont Notebook

BELMONT PARK NOTEBOOK

MAY 11, 2006

by Bernard T. Moore

Belmont Park began its spring/summer meet last week, and it might have been

lost somewhat amongst all the hype that surrounds the Kentucky Derby (G1).

Still, it was a relief to return to "Big Sandy," which means more grass contests

over its Widener and Inner turf courses and a fairer dirt track as well.

The opening day feature at Belmont was the Westchester H. (G3) for

three-year-olds and up at one mile. Love of Money (Not for Love) stole away to a

eight-length lead after a half-mile, and appeared well on his way to victory off

a prolonged layoff. However, he started to get a bit weary late in the stretch as the

rust began to show, and 9-5 favorite SIR GREELEY (Mr. Greeley) was making up

ground with every stride. Regretfully for Love of Money's connections, and the people who

wagered on him, the finish line did not appear soon enough to save him. Sir

Greeley managed to overtake the eventual second-place finisher and edge away in

deep stretch to win by three parts of a length. Happy Hunting (Seeking the Gold) raced

closest to the leader down the backstretch, but could not improve his position

when called upon and settled for the show. Gygistar (Prospector's Music), the

slight 5-2 second choice in the wagering, won this race in 2004 and 2005, but failed to

make his presence felt this time around and finished a well-beaten fourth.

Much like the feature on opening day, Saturday's stakes contest produced an

eerily similar result. Win McCool (Giant's Causeway) held a daylight lead

virtually throughout the Nassau County Breeders Cup S. (G2), except for when it

mattered most, at the wire, yielding grudgingly in the final yards to a

determined HELLO LIBERTY (Forest Camp). Win McCool appeared home free as

well in the stretch, but began drifting out late under pressure, and Hello

Liberty refused to give up the chase, wearing down the weary pacesetter in the final yards. Swap Fliparoo (Exchange Rate) closed to get third, but was

never a serious threat.

Both stakes contests run at this point last week showcased front runners who

had the look of a winner but would go on and cough up the lead in deep stretch. That

would not be the case in the Bouwerie S. as OPRAH WINNEY (Royal Academy) held on

grimly to post a three-quarter length victory over stablemate Ice Cool Kitty

(Tomorrows Cat) on Sunday. Homerette (Grand Slam) closed well despite racing

wide, just missing the place by a neck.

Eibar Coa has picked up where he left off at Aqueduct. He has

taken the lead in the jockey standings at Belmont Park, leading Mike Luzzi and

Edgar Prado, who are deadlocked for second place by two victories.

Richard Dutrow Jr., Mike Hushion and James Jerkens share the top spot in the

trainer standings with each three winners apiece.

The main track favored speed runners on Wednesday, and appeared to

play evenly the rest of the week. The outside paths were best on opening day.

Speed runners did well over the Widener Turf course on Saturday while off-the-pace

horses performed best on the Inner course on Sunday.

HORSES TO WATCH

Wednesday (5/3)

6TH – DON'T PARK NOW (Ecton Park) was an improved third switching to Belmont Park.

The chestnut finished with interest over a speed-favoring course behind a dominant winning

favorite and has room for further progress, possibly at a sprint.

8TH – Happy Hunting put forth an even effort chasing a superior pace

rival setting a very quick pace. He held well to finish third, but is more at home

prompting much slower fractions.

Thursday (5/4)

5TH – FOREST PHANTOM (Running Stag) continues to move forward off the Gary Contessa claim.

The dark bay sophomore finished well to get second in a race that quickened late in his

first start vs. winners.

6TH – ANY LIMIT (Limit Out) gave a creditable performance in his Belmont Park debut

off a brief rest. The bay miss was clearly third-best but finished with good energy late.

She appears as

if she may be able to handle a middle distance of ground in the future.

Friday (5/5)

3RD – SERENDIPITOUS (Pleasant Tap) gave a respectable showing off the shelf despite

being ambitiously spotted. The bay filly was hindered by a pedestrian pace as well

and would surely benefit if returned to the claiming ranks.

9TH – KATS GOLDEN WAYS (Golden Missile) showed dramatic reversal in form

while adding

blinkers in her second turf start with a positive rider switch. She exhibited

surprise speed to set the pace and held well once displaced on the lead. The

sophomore lass should

have gained valuable experience and conditioning from this effort, and would

probably benefit from a cutback in distance.

Saturday (5/6)

2ND – MY NINA ROSE (Lucky Roberto) ran "sneaky well" switching to grass for

new trainer Gary Sciacca. She was allowed to drop too far off the pace over a speed

favoring course and reduced her deficit late in a much needed effort. Her lone turf win

came at Belmont with Jorge Chavez, who was aboard for this effort.

6TH – CURSE REVERSED (Grand Slam) was an encouraging third in his debut effort for a

trainer who is not usually known for his prowess with first timers. The dark bay

colt chased a

lively pace until midstretch before tiring and should definitely move forward in

his second career start.

Sunday (5/7)

9TH – SATIN END (Precise End) was a good third off a five-week break making her first

start at Belmont. She held gamely chasing a loose front runner in a race that was

quick throughout. The dark bay filly can run well from on/near the lead.