Belmont Notebook

BELMONT NOTEBOOK

JULY 5, 2005

by Bernard T. Moore

The New York Racing Association began its Fourth of July holiday weekend on

Saturday by carding the Suburban H. (G1) for older runners at 1 1/4 miles

in addition to the New York H. (G2) for fillies and mares at the same

distance on turf.

And, with the weatherman finally cooperating, a crowd of 13,184 racing

enthusiasts turned out under clear skies with the temperature hovering around

the 80 degree mark to witness the 10-race card.

On paper, WEND (Pulpit) figured to be the controlling speed breaking from the

rail in the grassy New York. However, after an eventful start, the

projected front runner found herself trailing the field behind a very pedestrian

pace. Under regular pilot Jerry Bailey, the duo moved to contend for the lead

after six furlongs had been completed, and proceeded to secure a very tenuous

lead upon entering the stretch. The duo then braced for the late challenge of

both Wonder Again (Silver Hawk) and Film Maker (Dynaformer), whose closing kick

had been severely impacted by the rather dawdling fractions on the front end.

Wend demonstrated she was up to the task as she held gamely to fend off Wonder

Again by a neck, in addition to a late-charging Film Maker, who was another neck

farther back in third.

Needless to say, this marathon turf contest was a strangely run race, as

nobody could have figured that Wend would be coming from last place to win. The

second- and third-place finishers were obviously compromised as well in this paceless event, as the race was virtually reduced to a sprint, with the final

quarter mile run in a swift 23.04 seconds.

Wend, a Claiborne Farms homebred, has yet to taste defeat since placed on

the grass by trainer Bill Mott. The winner, who suffered a cut lip on her way

to the gate, did not let that serve as a deterrent as she registered her initial

victory beyond nine furlongs along with her first graded stakes success. She may

be seen next under silks in the Diana H. (G1) at Saratoga or in the

Beverly D. (G1) at Arlington Park in August.

This year's renewal of the Suburban came up a tad weak as there was

not one runner could boast a Grade 1 win in 2005. The recent retirements of Ghostzapper and Eddington in recent days due to injuries have depleted the

handicap ranks, and we now to wait for a new leader to emerge. Pollard's Vision

(Carson City) and Funny Cide (Distorted Humor) served as co-favorites in the

Suburban, but neither would be able get the job done. Instead, it was OFFLEE

WILD (Wild Again), rebounding from an abysmal showing over a sloppy track at

Pimlico to win by 1 1/4 lengths.

Trained by Juan Rodriguez, who is filling in

quite capably for a suspended Richard Dutrow Jr., Offlee Wild rallied to gain

the lead from the beleaguered pacesetter around the far turn, and would not

relinquish that advantage while maintaining a safe margin to the wire. Tap Day

(Pleasant Day) closed belatedly to take down the place, as Pollard's Vision, who

rallied in company with the winner, could not keep pace with that rival,

weakening slightly in deep stretch under pressure.

Watching Funny Cide finish a non-descript sixth in the Suburban while racing

on his wrong lead in the stretch clearly demonstrates that he is merely a shell

of his former self, and it was truly a sorry sight to witness. The thought of

trying this former Kentucky Derby (G1) and Preakness S. (G1) hero on grass

hinted that something is amiss with the five-year-old gelding, and his effort on

Saturday gives credence to that statement. His connections need to sit down and

do what's right by him as his glory days appear to be a thing of the past.

Dual stakes action was the order of the day on Sunday as well with the

Astoria S. and the Poker H. (G3) taking center stage. The Astoria, a 5 1/2

furlong sprint for juvenile fillies, featured the return of ADIEU (El Corredor),

who had not been seen under silks since a convincing daylight victory at

Keeneland this spring. This $300,000 two-year-old purchase failed to exhibit any

rustiness as she left the gate running from her rail post. The pacesetter was

quickly joined on the lead by Folklore (Tiznow), who matched strides with the

3-2 favorite until midstretch. At that point, Adieu said her goodbyes to her

pace nemesis, slowly edging away to a 1 1/4 length victory despite racing on her

left lead. Folklore held the place, finishing 1 1/4 lengths in front of Wonder

Lady Anne L (Real Quiet) who finished evenly late. Blissful Trip (Trippi) chased

the pacesetters along the inside early on, but gave way very badly in the

stretch in a disappointing effort.

One of the more interesting stakes races of the Belmont meet is the Poker, at

a flat mile over the Widener Turf. The race is usually exciting to watch, and

this year's renewal proved to be no different as MR. LIGHT (Arg) (Numerous)

rallied strongly from well off the pace to register a hard-fought neck victory. L'Oiseau d'Argent (Silver Hawk) cut out a sprightly pace on the front end,

covering the first six furlongs in a rapid 1.08.17. The frontrunner was

surrounded as he turned for home, as his early exploits began to take their

toll. Mr. Light joined the leaders from the outside in midstretch to gain a

slight advantage, and then held gamely to withstand a strong but belated rally

from Willard Straight (Lion Cavern). The runner-up settled well behind the

lively fractions racing down the backstretch, but simply was left with too much

to do in the stretch while finishing strongly to lose by neck. Remind (Deputy

Minister) raced within striking distance while losing ground early on, and then

lacked the necessary punch in the stretch when called upon.

On the Fourth of July holiday, the fireworks were provided courtesy of HENNY

HUGHES (Hennessy), who humiliated five rivals to win by 15 lengths in the

Tremont S. for two-year-olds. The lone anxious moment in the race for the

Patrick Biancone-trained runner came shortly after the start when he stumbled

leaving the gate. However, he quickly overcame that incident to contend for the

early lead and then proceeded to run away and hide from his opposition. Short

Circuit (Lemon Drop Kid) was another area code back in second as Caleb Pond (El

Corredor), who tried in vain to keep up with the winner on the lead, ultimately

proved no match for that rival and finished a well-beaten third.

The dazzling performance by Henny Hughes probably have his connections

thinking about the juvenile stakes races later this summer at Saratoga. However,

in both starts thus far, Henny Hughes has not come away smoothly from the gate,

and that problem must be addressed and remedied if he is to be successful among

Grade 1 competition in his career.

Monday's featured event, the Dwyer S. (G2) for three-year-olds at

1 1/16 miles, featured the return of ROMAN RULER (Fusaichi Pegasus) to

competition. This once highly regarded runner has been beset by persistent foot

problems in 2005, which prohibited from exhibiting his best form for trainer Bob

Baffert. However, those issues may be behind him now, as he returned to his

winning ways with a smart come-from-behind victory under jockey Jerry Bailey.

The early trailer in the field of six runners, Roman Ruler settled nicely under

a rating hold racing down the backstretch. When given his cue by Bailey around

the far turn, he accelerated and joined the leaders approaching the stretch.

From that point on, the West Coast invader was able to outkick a gritty Flower

Alley (Distorted Humor) to the wire to score by a half-length. The runner-up,

unsighted since a troubled ninth-place finish in the Kentucky Derby, was

game in defeat. He raced four wide virtually the entire way and finished

strongly in his first effort in nearly two months. Proud Accolade (Yes It's

True) raced within striking distance of the pacesetters and then outlasted the

others to finish third.

Immediate plans for Roman Ruler's next race are up in the air. However, his

connections did not rule out a meeting with the division leader, Afleet Alex

(Northern Afleet) down the road.

There did not appear to be a significant running style bias until Saturday on

the main track, when speed did exceptionally well. The track appeared to return

to normal on Sunday, and remained that way on Monday as well. There were no

discernible path biases all week. The grass courses played to closers to begin

the week, but then played quite uniformly as the week wore on.

Edgar Prado owns a 19 win lead over Eibar Coa in the race for leading

rider. Richard Migliore and John Velazquez are in a deadheat for the third spot,

with Javier Castellano completing the top five.

Mott padded his lead last week and has a three victory edge over Todd Pletcher, who is starting to heat up. Mike Hushion and Christophe Clement are

deadlocked for third place as Juan Rodriguez, deputizing for the suspended

Richard Dutrow Jr., completes the top five.

HORSES TO WATCH

Wednesday (6/29)

5TH – ROSIE'S BIG BOY (Cryptoclearance) was a useful third-place finish returning

to the main track off the bench. Stalked a very lively pace and lacked the

necessary response when called upon in a race that was quick throughout.

Projects to move forward in second start off a layoff.

6TH – PRAIA DA PIPA (Dynaformer) clearly was not disgraced in her first

effort against winners off a freshening. Set a pestered pace over a course

playing favorably to closers. Has run well from off the pace and is in the hands

of a top turf trainer in Bill Mott.

Thursday (6/30)

4TH – WAMPUM (Two Punch) showed a much-improved effort in her second start. Overcame a

bumping incident at the break to track a hot pace and finished with good energy

chasing home a decisive first out winner. Bred for a sprint and to win early in

her career.

5TH – STELLAR MAIDEN (Raffie's Majesty) was a sharp second in first start against

winners. Held gamely stalking a wire-to-wire winner in a race that was fast

throughout. Has fine tactical speed and has run well over the Belmont Park main

track in all three career efforts.

9TH – DRINKWATER (Joyeux Danseur) appeared clearly a tad short off the bench returning

to Belmont. Chased a loose frontrunner dictating a lively pace and held

reasonably well in a much-needed effort. Should have derived beneficial

conditioning from this effort and may revert to rating tactics in subsequent

starts.

Friday (7/1)

2ND – SECOND IN COMMAND (Silver Deputy) finished a strong second switching to a dirt sprint

in his Belmont Park main track debut. Held the place after setting a pressured

pace in a race that quickened late. Fits well at this current level of

competition.

3RD – PARKHIMONBROADWAY (Ecton Park) recieved a good education race in his debut effort.

Hampered by a slow start and a lack of experience. Finished with good energy

late. Projects to move forward off this effort. His sire was a Grade 1 winner on

dirt, while his dam excelled over grass. Bred to improve with distance.

7TH – CLARKSBURG QUEEN (Sea of Secrets) has continued to drop seeking proper

level. Improved third switching to a dirt sprint. Compromised by a slow pace

carved out by an odds-on frontrunning winner. All three career wins have come

over this course, and would benefit from softer competition and a middle

distance of ground.

Saturday (7/2)

2ND – INGOT (Seeking the Gold) ran into a monster in his first start against

winners. Dueled head and head for the lead with this daylight winner in an

excruciatingly fast race, but was simply no match for this rival in the stretch.

10TH – CHILI CAT (Storm Cat) was a useful third in her debut effort. Finished with

good energy late despite an obvious lack of seasoning in a race that graded out

to be faster than par for the class level. Might be seen next at Saratoga.

Sunday (7/3)

2ND – COUTH (Polish Numbers) came home a good second in his debut effort. Offered a wide and

sustained run while improving his position in the stretch while lugging in a

bit. Bred for a sprint and to win early in his career.

8TH – REMIND (Deputy Minister) crossed the wire an improved third over a much firmer turf. Chased

an ultra-quick pace and finished with interest late in his Belmont Park

unveiling. Has versatile running styles and does not have carry his track with

him.

Monday (7/4)

6TH – COSMONAUT (Lemon Drop Kid) suffered a heartbreaking second-place finish stretching

out to a route of ground in his turf debut. Stalked a fast pace prior to

assuming a tenuous lead in the stretch and was then outfinished by a more

experienced rival late. His dam won her turf debut, and he should have derived

beneficial conditioning and experience from his initial grass outing.

8TH – PROUD ACCOLADE (Yes It's True) was an improved third stretching out to

1 1/16 miles.

Chased a lively early pace and then finished with interest to gain the show in a

race that was extremely fast. Can continue current level of forward progress by

getting some much-needed class relief and cutting back in distance to a flat

mile.