Belmont Notebook

BELMONT PARK NOTEBOOK

OCTOBER 4, 2007

by Bernard T. Moore

There was a plethora of Breeders' Cup prep races last weekend at Belmont

Park. As a result, we have a lot of ground to cover this week, so let's get

right to it.

Simply put, he's back! CURLIN (Smart Strike), coming off of a disappointing

third-place finish in the Haskell (G1) at Monmouth Park in August, "returned in

the pink," posting a well-deserved neck victory over Lawyer Ron (Langfuhr) in

the Jockey Club Gold Cup S. (G1) on Sunday. Relaxing nicely off the early pace

for jockey Robby Albarado, Curlin went after Lawyer Ron in earnest in the

stretch as the subsequent second-place finisher secured the lead. Lawyer Ron

easily put away the pacesetting Brother Bobby (Out of Place) in upper stretch,

but was unable to spurt away from the competition like he did in his sparkling

victories this past summer at Saratoga. Curlin was resolute in his pursuit of

the 3-5 favorite, with each runner giving everything they had in a rousing

stretch battle. In the end, Curlin would simply not be denied, necking Lawyer

Ron within the shadow wire in a thrilling finish. Political Force (Unbridled's

Song) raced within striking distance throughout, but was unable to rally late

and wound up a well-beaten third.

You can't beat what you can't catch. FABULOUS STRIKE (Smart Strike) made

every pole a winning one in the Vosburgh S. (G1), scoring by 5 3/4-widening lengths in an impressive

performance. Fabulous Strike, who had not been seen under

silks since an abysmal effort at Calder in July, showed good speed from the

outset from the rail to take the early lead. He settled down nicely under jockey

Ramon Dominguez as Talent Search (Catienus) raced just to his outside down the

backstretch. They were virtually inseparable as they turned into stretch. That

was until Dominguez gave Fabulous Strike his cue to accelerate, and within a

matter of a few strides, Fabulous Strike began distancing himself from the

field. He drew away to daylight advantage past midstretch and was never

seriously threatened late en route to an impressive win. Talent Search held on

determinedly to save the place over Discreet Cat (Forestry), who had not run

since March in Dubai. The 4-5 betting favorite showed good speed from the

outset, and finished with good courage to take down the show in a useful

comeback effort. First Defence (Unbridled's Song) might have been compromised by

a bumping incident at break. He was never a serious threat at any point during

the race and reported home seventh in a dull showing.

With little choice but to go inside, jockey John Velazquez, who was astride

ENGLISH CHANNEL (Smart Strike), maneuvered his way through a tiny seam for a

stretch bid in the Joe Hirsch Turf Classic Invitational S. (G1). As a result of

this extremely deft maneuver, the odds-on favorite finally was afforded clear

sailing, and then proceeded to power his way to a decisive 2 1/4-length victory.

Hopelessly bottled up along the inside while saving ground much of the way, it

appeared as if a hole would never materialize for the heavy favorite. English

Channel was trapped behind runners as the field turned into the stretch, crying

out for a place to run until Velazquez's daring tactics with the Todd

Pletcher-trained runner. Once securing running room, English Channel kicked into

overdrive, displacing Stream of Gold (Ire) (Rainbow Quest) on the lead and he

eventually drew clear. Stream of Gold gained a tenuous advantage in the stretch

after tracking the early pace. However, he was clearly out of his element in his

attempt to keep pace with the winner late, but finished clearly second best in a good

showing. Interpatation (Langfuhr) trailed the field much of the way, and passed

tired horses late to finish third. Mustanfar (Unbridled), a distant

second-choice in the wagering, finished last in a dull effort.

As UNBRIDLED BELLE (Broken Vow) and Indian Vale (A.P. Indy) pulled away from

the field in final furlong of the Beldame S. (G1), the only way Pletcher

would come away a loser would be if something disastrous happened. Thankfully,

that was not the case as both of the aforementioned runners battled gamely to

the wire, with Unbridled Belle coming away with a hard-earned head victory. Even

though she lost valuable position as a result of traffic trouble around the far

turn, Unbridled Belle was still able to mount a strong stretch bid as she now

set sail for the leaders. With Indian Vale and Ginger Punch (Awesome Again)

trading punches as they battled for the lead, the subsequent winner continued to

make up ground with every stride. Ginger Punch began giving way past the midstretch point, as Indian Vale was now forced to take on her stablemate who

was closing in to her outside. Softened up by contesting the lead from the

opening bell, Indian Vale was not able to fend off Unbridled Belle, who would

not be denied the victory, thus completing the Pletcher exacta. Ginger Punch

finished third, with Balance (Thunder Gulch) getting fourth. The West Coast

invader jumped into the air a bit at the start, but Balance was still able to race

within shouting distance of the pacesetters. Dispatched at odds of 3-1, she

raced wide around the far turn while making a bid and subsequently tired.

Somewhat lost in the shuffle on Sunday was the Miss Grillo S. for juvenile

fillies on turf. In that contest, NAMASTE'S WISH (Pulpit) outgamed a stubborn

Sea Chanter (War Chant) in stirring stretch battle to post a three-quarters of a

length victory. The top two finishers quickly reduced the Miss Grillo to a match

race passing the furlong grounds, with neither runner anxious to throw in the

towel. The Bill Mott-trained Namaste's Wish was going a tad better in the final

yards to triumph in her initial start against winners.

It was bombs away in the Flower Bowl Invitational S. (G1) on Saturday.

LAHUDOOD (GB) (Singspiel [Ire]), a Shadwell Stable homebred runner, closed

determinedly in the stretch to wear down a stubborn Rosinka (Ire) (Soviet Star)

and post a well-deserved three-quarters of a length victory. The winner, who

saved ground from the outset, closed stoutly along the inside to wrestle the

lead away from the runner-up past midstretch, and then slowly edged away in the

final yards. Rosinka was well-handled on the front end by jockey Jeremy Rose,

and responded gamely when set down in the stretch, but simply could not keep

pace with the winner late. Wait a While (Maria's Mon) sat in perfect striking

position down the backstretch as she shadowed the pacesetting Rosinka. However,

when she was asked for more run to challenge Rosinka in earnest in the stretch,

she came up empty. Wait A While was one-paced late and could no better than

third. Hostess (Chester House), rallied belatedly to finish fourth. Royal

Highness (Ger) (Monsun), who took the measure of Lahudood in the Beverly D. S.

(G1) at Arlington Park in August, showed speed into the stretch before tiring

and finished sixth.

TRIPPI'S STORM (Trippi), who had been competing exclusively in marathon route

contests of late, appreciated the cut back in distance to mile as he repelled

the late bid of After Market (Storm Cat) to register a mild upset in Kelso H.

(G2). Trippi's Strom began reducing his deficit around the far turn as the pace

in the Kelso began to quicken. Under regular rider Javier Castellano, the

Stanley Hough-trainee sustained in his rally into the stretch. He seized command

past the eighth pole and then held on gamely to the lead to post a half-length

victory. After Market, the 124-pound highweight, was giving nine

pounds to the winner. Still, he loomed a dangerous presence in the stretch, but

could not muster the necessary rally under his weighty impost, finishing second

as the 6-5 favorite. Palace Episode (Machiavellian) had his closing bid

compromised by traffic trouble, but finished with good energy between runners to

get third by a neck over Woodlander (Forestry).

Also on the Saturday card, THE LEOPARD (Storm Cat) made his turf debut a

winning one as he wired the field in Pilgrim S. Benefiting from a controlled

pace, the 4-5 favorite carved out pedestrian fractions down the backstretch. He

responded willingly when asked to pick up the pace by jockey John Velazquez in

the stretch, eventually drawing clear to score by 2 3/4 lengths.

Early speed held a slight edge over the main track on Saturday and Sunday.

Both grass courses played uniformly throughout the week.

HORSES TO WATCH

Wednesday (9/26)

2ND - TITAN OF INDUSTRY (Giant's Causeway) recorded a strong second-place finish in

his debut, giving futile to chase to a loose wire-to-wire throughout. Continued

with good energy in the stretch in a race that finished up well late. Should

have gained useful conditioning and experience from this effort.

Thursday (9/27)

2ND - SMOKE VIXEN (Smoke Glacken) ran extremely well making his debut on

grass for a trainer that rarely wins with debut runners. Closed with good energy

to get the show in a race that finished up well late. Appears as if he might be

most effective over a route of ground.

6TH - SUGARLESS (Slew City Slew) was a tough-luck second dropping off the claim.

Possibly made a premature move into fast fractions to gain command, only to

relinquished the lead in the final yards. She was re-claimed by her previous

connections, and her speed needs to be properly

rationed in her next start.

Friday (9/28)

5TH - STORMY RELATIONS (Stormy Atlantic) certainly outran her 12-1 posttime

odds in her career debut. Exhibited a good turn of early foot to chase a loose

wire-to-wire winning favorite. Was clearly second best while showing good energy

late in a race that was quick for the class level. Should improve for a trainer

that rarely wins with first timers.

6TH - VACATION (Dynaformer) closed belatedly to get the show in a race that

was fast throughout. Sire's side of his pedigree screams for a "turf route," and

he would likely benefit from a switch in surfaces and more ground.

Saturday (9/29)

5TH - PURE DEVIL (Harlan's Holiday) offered a beneficial effort to begin his career.

Raced lethargically early breaking from the rail. Improved his position late

despite racing wide behind a well-bet/well-meant first time starter who simply

"whistled." This third-place finisher should have gained valuable conditioning

and experience from this effort.

8TH - Wait a While recorded a creditable third-place finish off a

layoff. Stalked the pace throughout and finished evenly late stretching out to

ten furlongs in a race she obviously needed. Appears to be at her best when able

to settle, and make one run.

Sunday (9/30)

6TH - THE CAT'S AFFAIR (Tale of the Cat) finished a respectable second in her

career debut. Broke a tad slowly from the rail and raced "greenly" early on.

Finally leveled off leaving the far turn and closed strongly in the stretch in

an encouraging effort.

7TH - Discreet Cat received a helpful comeback effort returning from a long

absence. Gave futile chase to a front-running winner over a speed conducive

track. This in all likelihood was a "prep" for a stretch-out to a middle

distance in his next start.