Belmont Notebook

BELMONT PARK NOTEBOOK

MAY 31, 2007

by Bernard T. Moore

The countdown to the Belmont S. (G1) on June 9 continues, with Curlin (Smart

Strike), winner of the Preakness (G1), and Kentucky Derby (G1) hero Street Sense

(Street Cry [Ire]) remaining possible for the 1 1/2-mile event. Also, Hard Spun

(Danzig) is scheduled to compete in the Belmont, with jockey Garrett Gomez

replacing Mario Pino.

The Todd Pletcher-trained HONEY RYDER (Lasting Approval) rallied from last to

annex the Sheepshead Bay H. (G2) for the second year in a row on Saturday by a

determined length. Safari Queen (Arg) (Lode), a stablemate of Honey Ryder, stole

away to a two-length advantage in midstretch, but the Sheepshead Bay defending

champion was undeterred, closing resolutely under Gomez in deep stretch to

emerge victorious as a punctual favorite. Safari Queen looked home free in the

stretch, but weakened slightly late and had to settle for second money,

finishing three-quarters of a length in front of Hostess (Chester House), who

closed belatedly to get the show.

It was bombs away in the Jaipur H. (G3) on Sunday. ECCLESIASTIC (Pulpit)

woke-up in a big way, cutting back to a sprint to post a huge upset at odds of

24-1. Trained by Allen Jerkens, Ecclesiastic benefited from a perfect stalking

trip off a hotly contested battle for the early lead. When given his cue by

jockey Javier Castellano in the stretch, Ecclesiastic responded favorably,

blowing past the beleaguered pacesetters en route to an authoritative 2

3/4-length score. Salute the Count (Count the Time), a Delaware Park-based

shipper, was dispatched at odds of 11-1. He closed well along the inside in the

stretch to garner the place by a nose over odds-on favorite Weigelia (Safely's

Mark). The latter was hounded on the front end from the opening bell and gave

ground grudgingly late in a strong effort. Will He Shine (Silver Deputy) was

bumped shortly after the start and raced lethargically throughout. He

subsequently finished last as the 4-1 second choice in the betting.

On the Memorial Day holiday, CORINTHIAN (Pulpit) completed a father-son

stakes double when he eked out a hard-fought victory in the Metropolitan H.

(G1). The James Jerkens-trained runner blew the break in the Excelsior Breeders'

Cup H. (G3) at Aqueduct in his most recent start, but broke well in this contest

to race within striking distance of the leaders down the backstretch.

Corinthian, with jockey Kent Desormeaux in the irons, moved in earnest to vie

for command around the far turn. He eventually gained a tenuous advantage in

early stretch, and held on grimly to the lead, fending off a rally from

Political Force (Unbridled's Song) late. The latter was always within striking

distance, and finished with good energy to get the place for trainer Allen

Jerkens, James' father. Lawyer Ron (Langfuhr), making his first Belmont Park

start, loomed a dangerous presence around the far turn. However, he was

one-paced to the wire and could do no better than third as the 8-5 favorite. Sun

King (Charismatic) offered a late bid to finish fourth.

Also on the Monday card, COMMENTATOR (Distorted Humor) returned to the races

for trainer Nick Zito. The 2005 Whitney H. (G1) winner made light work of an

overmatched field of state-bred runners. He will clearly be a force to be

reckoned with in the handicap division if able to remain injury free in 2007.

The main track played honestly all week, with the lone exception occurring on

Saturday, when runners from off-the-pace held an advantage. Both grass courses

played uniformly all week. The lone path bias existed on Saturday, when the

outside paths appeared best.

HORSES TO WATCH

Wednesday (5/23)

3RD - RONDO (Grand Slam) won the pace battle but lost the war returning off a

brief rest. The bay held gamely arguing quick fractions, yielding only to a

stalking trip winner, and has run well without the lead in the past.

9TH - TRIPLE BOGEY BLUES (Take Me Out) was a respectable third switching to

grass. The bay gelding improved his position in the stretch in a race that

finished up well late. He can move forward off his initial turf experience.

Thursday (5/24)

5TH - SISTER DESIREE (Vision and Verse) finished with good energy from off

the pace switching to grass. She offered a much-improved effort returning to the

turf in a race that was quick throughout.

8TH - ART MASTER (Royal Academy) was a strong second in his main track debut

off a layoff. The bay colt chased home a Grade 2 odds-on winning favorite while

clearly besting the rest of the field. He may eventually be switched back to the

grass by top-notch turf trainer Bobby Frankel.

Friday (5/25)

5TH - MAMA THERESA (Carson City) was hard used to set a quick and pestered

pace at 1 1/16 miles. She may be better suited to sprints over the Belmont Park

main track.

9TH - INNOVATOR (Behrens) gave a strong showing in her second start off a

layoff. She was forced to steady entering the far turn, and then raced wide

while improving her position in a race that finished up well late. The bay miss

needs only clear sailing to register her elusive maiden victory.

Saturday (5/26)

2ND - EL MEDWAR (Elusive Quality) put forth an improved effort switching to a

conventional dirt surface. He carried his speed much farther stretching out to a

mile, and held well late over a closer's track. The bay should have derived

beneficial conditioning and experience from this effort.

3RD - TRIPPI'S STORM (Trippi) overcame a very tepid pace to overhaul a loose

leader in the stretch, and was going away at the finish. He continues to move

forward with each and every start on the grass, and is unbeaten in three starts

since switched to turf.

4TH - ANY WHICH WAY (Line in the Sand) contested a very fast pace along a

deep rail off a prolonged layoff. The gelding understandably paid the price late

in a useful conditioning effort. He clearly is at his best when able settle and

make one run, and seems to fit better vs. state-bred maiden claimers.

Sunday (5/27)

7TH - WELCOME AGAIN (Awesome Again) was a creditable third behind an

impressive daylight winner. He finished with interest late in a race that was

quick throughout, and has a license to move forward in his second start over the

Belmont Park main track for high-profile connections.

9TH - JESSE'S JUSTICE (Lear Fan) easily handled a field of overmatched New

York-bred maiden special weight runners in a swiftly run contest. She should be

able to defeat a field of preliminary state-bred allowance runners off this

decisive victory.

Monday (5/28)

4TH - CHEETAH TRAIL (Golden Missile) put forth a sharp effort off a

freshening in his initial start beyond seven furlongs. The gelding gave a

perfect trip odds-on winning favorite all he could handle in the stretch in a

quick race. He should be extremely dangerous in his second start over the

Belmont Park main track.

7TH - GOOD GOING DARL (Freud) finished well late for third off the shelf in a

race he obviously needed while reuniting with jockey Fernando Jara. He has a

right to improve off this effort, especially over a turf course with some give

to it.