Belmont Notebook

BELMONT NOTEBOOK

JULY 17, 2014

by John Mucciolo

A single graded stakes race was held during the closing week of racing at

Belmont Park.

Bowling Green H. (G2): Four Tags Stable's HANGOVER KID (Lemon Drop

Kid) moved into prime contention around mid-stretch and reeled in the favorite

late to post a head tally in this grassy test under Jose Lezcano. The

six-year-old from the barn of Jason Servis endured 1 1/2 miles on the firm turf

oval in 2:28 in posting the mild upset.

Track Stats

A total of 46 races were held at the Elmont, New York, venue, with favorites

winning at a 43 percent rate and the top two betting choices combining for 67

percent of the wins during the week. From 21 races on the main oval, three

animals won in wire-to-wire fashion (14 percent). Seven of the 25 races on the

lawn were taken all the way on the front end (28 percent).

Meet Totals

RACES::		509
TURF:		210
DIRT:		299
FAVORITES:		198 (39 percent)
2ND CHOICES:		111 (22 percent)
TURF WIRE:		41 (20 percent)
DIRT WIRE:		74 (25 percent)

HORSES TO WATCH

Wednesday (7/9)

6TH -- GIVE NO QUARTER (Tiz Wonderful) made a bold move into the lane and

strode home a fine winner over a decent little field for conditioner Graham

Motion. The sophomore colt got his final five-sixteenths on the lawn in a wicked

:29 and seems well poised for a big second half of 2014 with steady improvement.

7TH -- DYKER BEACH (Curlin) took the lead at the top of the lane and battled

every step of the way in finishing a commendable second while five clear of

third. The four-year-old gelding showed all heart and should be super live right

back for conditioner David Jacobson.

Thursday (7/10)

1ST -- ISABELLA SINGS (Eskendereya) took the lead with a big speed burst

early and left little doubt who was best in this fine maiden score for trainer

Todd Pletcher. The juvenile filly could have a very bright future, as she is

bred to go long and could be any type going forward.

5TH -- The Nicolas Esler-trained VOODOO TALES (Tale of the Cat) pressed a

solid early pace and dominated in the lane in a swift time in posting her second

straight tally under Javier Castellano. The four-year-old miss toppled a nice

field with ease and could be stakes bound next time out.

Friday (7/11)

2ND -- THREE ALARM FIRE (Pyro) was into the bit early and stayed on with good

energy all the way to the fire in finishing more than five lengths clear of his

nearest foe when second at first asking. The Tom Albertrani trainee ran huge for

a conditioner who rarely gets a debut winner, so this performance might be even

better than it appears on paper.

4TH -- The well-bred GRANNY'S KITTEN (Kitten's Joy) looked like a chip off

the old block in posting a sensational, 4 1/4-length score at first asking in

this turf sprint. The Mike Maker-trained colt has a pair of full-sibling stakes

winners from two to have run, 2013 Queen Elizabeth II Challenge Cup (G1) heroine

Kitten's Dumplings and 2013 P.G. Johnsonn winner Granny Mc's Kitten, and he

could be a superb juvenile in the making.

Saturday (7/12)

4TH -- LOVE TRAIN (Tapit) rolled home to a second straight score and has the

look of a filly who could be a good one following this affair. The Christophe

Clement trainee was very professional in rating on the lead and drawing off in

the stretch, hinting that she might evolve into a stakes performer soon.

Sunday (7/13)

7TH -- BAD HOMBRE (Sky Mesa) was bet down from a nice price to the favorite

and deservedly so, as the colt took command at the top of the lane and gamely

held off all foes in a sharp allowance tally for conditioner John Kimmel. The

four-year-old ran well at Saratoga last summer and might be good this campaign

as well.

A Look Ahead

The action moves to Saratoga starting on Friday.