Belmont Notebook

BELMONT NOTEBOOK

JUNE 25, 2015

by John Mucciolo

There was a single graded affair this week at Belmont Park.

Bed o'Roses H. (G3): Bobby Flay's DAME DOROTHY (Bernardini) seized the lead

soon after the break and kept all comers at bay, posting a 1 1/2-length tally

beneath Javier Castellano. The Todd Pletcher charge stopped the teletimer in

1:24 for seven panels on the fast main oval.

Track Stats

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

winning at a 39 percent rate and the top two betting choices combining for 59

percent of the wins during the week. From 26 races on the main oval, seven

animals won in wire-to-wire fashion (27 percent), while three of the 20 grassy

races were taken all the way on the lead (15 percent).

Both ovals appeared to be playing fairly for the duration of the week here.

Of the seven wire jobs on the main strip, six came in the form of sprint races.

On the green, a trio of winners led at every call – two in sprints and one going

a route of ground.

Meet Totals

RACES:		366
DIRT:		194
TURF:		172
FAVORITES:		138 (38 percent)
2ND CHOICES:		84 (23 percent)
TURF WIRE:		32 (19 percent)
DIRT WIRE:		51 (26 percent)

HORSES TO WATCH

Wednesday (6/17)

1ST -- FINANCIAL MOGUL (Street Boss) moved into contention in the lane and

finished up well in a solid runner-up showing under Cornelio Velasquez. The

gelding ran into a class horse that won easily but finished more than five

lengths clear of third, and could be a nice claim.

3RD -- TICKING KATIE (Baltic King) raced last in this compact field to the

top of the lane, but then produced a big late run to win in her U.S. debut for

trainer Brian Lynch. The Irish-bred filly could be any kind going forward as she

acclimates to these surroundings.

5TH -- SO YOU SAY (Flatter) lived up to her favored status with a most

dominating performance in this dash, leading throughout en route to a 9

1/4-length drubbing for conditioner Michelle Nevin. The sophomore looks be

stakes bound soon after this type of showing.

Thursday (6/18)

2ND -- POSITIVELY ROYAL (Bernardini) tracked the leader, took over at the top

of the lane and strode home a convincing 3 1/2-length heroine in a strong debut

performance. The Todd Pletcher filly will be stakes bound next time out, and

merits a lot of respect.

6TH -- THEIVES GUILD (Medaglia d'Oro) broke slowest but finished fastest in

dusting her foes under Jose Lezcano. The Jimmy Toner pupil, who had been off

since April 2014, came home in a swift :22 2/5 and could be set for a fine

second half of this campaign.

Friday (6/19)

1ST -- TROPHEE (Mr. Sidney) graduated in style in this opener for conditioner

Christophe Clement, roaring home to pull away by four lengths under the wire. A

half-sister to the outstanding Treve (Motivator), the four-year-old filly to be

a major player with winners in her subsequent outing.

6TH -- LIAM'S MAP (Unbridled's Song) showed no rust in his 2015 debut,

recording a facile allowance tally for trainer Pletcher. The once-beaten colt

earned a 104 BRIS Speed number, in addition to a 103 BRIS Late Pace, and is

expected to point to the August 8 Whitney (G1). Nice horse!

Saturday (6/20)

2ND -- STYLE DRIFT (English Channel) ran a winning race in defeat in a nice

debut offering and the Chad Brown pupil will be super tough next out with even

slight improvement. The three-year-old lass was more than eight lengths of her

nearest foe under the line.

A Look Ahead

Saturday will play host to the $300,000 Mother Goose Stakes (G1) for

three-year-old fillies on the main oval.