Belmont Notebook

BELMONT NOTEBOOK

SEPTEMBER 14, 2006

by Bernard T. Moore

With Saratoga nothing more than a nice memory to reflect on when the Aqueduct

inner track is buried under 10 inches of snow this winter, racing headed back

downstate to beautiful Belmont Park last Friday.

Belmont Park, which turned 100 in 2005, began its Fall Meet on September 9,

and will remain open for racing through October 30. The Breeders' Cup is the

obvious focal point of the meet, and it will be held on Saturday, October 29. No

fewer than 13 Grade 1 contests will be presented at Belmont this fall, with many

of the fields consisting of Breeders' Cup hopefuls. Handicappers can expect

quality racing each day as the anticipation builds towards the Thoroughbred

World Championships next month.

On opening day at Belmont, CLEVER ELECTRICIAN (Clever Trick) took down top

honors in the feature race, annexing the General Douglas MacArthur H. for

state-bred runners three-years-old and up going seven furlongs. Trained by Bruce

Levine and ridden by Ramon Dominguez, Clever Electrician was with the pace from

the outset and then seized command around the far turn. He maintained his

advantage into the stretch, and then was able to withstand a late challenge by

Papua (Sweepster) to win by 1 1/4 lengths. Yankee Mon (Maria's Mon), the 1/2

favorite in the wagering, disputed the early pace prior to dropping back around

the far turn. He continued on gamely to the finish, just missing the place by a

head.

The first Saturday of the meet showcased four Grade 1 events, including a

preview of future Breeders' Cup contestants.

SAINT LIAM (Saint Ballado), benefiting from a contentious pace scenario on

the front end, took full advantage off that set-up to report home a facile

winner in the Woodward S. (G1). Ridden by Jerry Bailey for the first time, Saint

Liam displaced the beleaguered Commentator (Distorted Humor) on the lead shortly

after entering the stretch. He then proceeded to draw clear without

encouragement from Bailey to win by a "measured" two lengths. Sir Shackleton (Miswaki)

closed with good energy into the stretch while improving his position to run

second, but was clearly no danger to the dominant winner while finishing

double-digit lengths ahead of his stablemate, Commentator. The latter dropped

back badly to finish third, and his effort was extremely disappointing. The Nick

Zito trained runner was spent by the time he turned into the stretch, and

watched helplessly as Saint Liam powered past him with remarkable ease.

While Saint Liam's victory was visually impressive, his final time for the

Woodward was not, as he ran the nine furlongs in 1:49.07. That clocking compared

unfavorably with the Gazelle S. (G1) for three-year-old fillies run earlier in

the day, which was completed in 1:49.75.

The aforementioned race was won by IN THE GOLD (Golden Missile), who rallied

smartly upon entering the stretch and then ran clear of the pacesetting Leave Me

Alone (Bold Badgett) to win going away by  by 2 1/4 lengths. Leave Me Alone

saved the place in a good effort, checking in a length ahead of Yolanda B.

Too(Two Punch), who shadowed the front runner into the stretch and then held

well to finish third in her initial effort beyond seven furlongs.

BETTER TALK NOW (Talkin Man), teaming with jockey Ramon Dominguez once again

for the Man o' War S. (G1), returned to his winning ways as he out-gamed both

King's Drama (Ire) (King's Theatre [Ire]) and Relaxed Gesture (Ire) (Indian

Ridge) to earn a well deserved victory. The 2004 Breeders' Cup Turf (G1) hero

reached contention in early stretch and then was able to outfinish both rivals

to win by a neck. King's Drama was an unlucky loser to be sure, responding well

to rating tactics and then finished gamely between runners, dropping a tough

neck decision. Relaxed Gesture secured a tenuous lead in early stretch, and then

yielded that advantage grudgingly to finish third in yet another sharp effort.

Trainer Graham Motion used this race as a springboard for Better Talk Now's

Breeders' Cup Turf victory last year. He will attempt to catch lightning in a

bottle once more as the returning champ will train up to that race once again.

European runners have always done well shipping into Belmont Park, and LUAS

LINE (Ire) (Danehill) proved to be no exception, winning the Garden City

Breeders' Cup S. (G1) by 1 1/2 lengths. The Irish bred runner was determined to

come away with a win on this day, overcoming an encounter with some geese in

early stretch before wearing down the pacesetting My Typhoon (Ire) (Giant's

Causeway) en route to a victory. Asi Siempre (El Prado [Ire]) finished with a

purpose to take down the place as My Typhoon weakened once displaced on the

lead.

A return trip to Belmont Park for the Breeders' Cup next month is feasible

for Luas Line. Although, the Queen Elizabeth II Challenge Cup (G1) at Keeneland

remains a possibility as well.

SILVER TRAIN (Old Trieste) was allowed to dictate a modest pace on the front

end the Jerome H. (G2). And as a result, he was able to parlay that advantage

into an authoritative victory. Stretching out to a flat mile, the Richard Dutrow

Jr. trainee was well-handled on the lead by jockey Edgar Prado. He shrugged off

a challenge by runner-up High Fly (Atticus) around the far turn, and then

spurted clear once again to win by five widening lengths. High Fly ran a

creditable second in his return effort off the layoff, and should definitely

move forward in subsequent starts for trainer Nick Zito. Naughty New Yorker

(Quiet American) rallied belatedly to report home third, but was never a serious

threat.

According to Dutrow, tentative plans call for Silver Train to run back in the

Breeders' Cup Sprint (G1). However, that will happen only if is able to earn his

way into the starting gate.

SHAKESPEARE (Theatrical [Ire]), trained by Bill Mott, kept his unblemished

record intact with a convincing victory in the Belmont Breeders' Cup H. (G2).

The four-year-old colt, making his graded stakes debut, drove to the lead in the

stretch and continued to increase his advantage with every stride. Ridden by

Jerry Bailey, Shakespeare was nearly four lengths in front when the pair hit the

wire as Meteor Storm (GB) (Bigstone [Ire]) simply could not keep up with the

winner in the stretch. The second-place finisher dispensed a improved effort

with the addition of blinkers, but had to settle for the place while finishing

five lengths clear of Muqbil (Swain [Ire]), who showed the way until the

stretch.

Trainer Bill Mott is planning on using the Joe Hirsch Turf Classic (G1) as a

bridge race to the Breeders' Cup Turf. It will become increasingly difficult for

Shakespeare to remain unbeaten as he climbs the class ladder and is asked to run

farther as well. Nevertheless, he is in the hands of a world-class horseman in

Mott, who trained Theatrical, the sire of Shakespeare, to win the Breeders' Cup

Turf in 1987.

In the Ruffian H. (G1), STELLAR JAYNE (Wild Rush) was permitted to set a

rather leisurely pace under Bailey. The end result was that her competition was

unsuccessful in their quest to overtake her in the stretch, as the 6-5 favorite

went on to win by 1 1/2 lengths while never being asked for her best.

Conditioned by Saeed bin Suroor, Stellar Jayne was well clear of the field

leaving the furlong marker, and was geared down in deep stretch with Society

Selection (Coronado's Quest) closing late for second money. Halory Leigh (Halory

Hunter) was four lengths farther back in third, as she was able to improve her

position albeit without making a serious impact. Capeside Lady (Cape Town), the

5-2 second choice in the wagering, shadowed the winner down the backstretch, but

then proceeded to give way around the far turn and finished last.

The Ruffian winner was purchased privately by her current owners, the high

profile Godolphin Stable. The four-year-old was given time to develop and mature

over the winter, and that plan has obviously reaped dividends for her

connections. Their main objective with Stellar Jayne has been the Breeders' Cup

Distaff (G1), although she may find her way into the starting gate in the

Beldame (G1) in early October as well.

Bailey has taken an early lead in the jockey standings, with Edgar Prado two

wins farther back in second. Ramon Dominguez, Gary Stevens and Cornelio

Velasquez are locked in a three way battle for the third spot with three

victories each.

Mott has a single victory lead over both Richard Dutrow Jr. and Bruce Levine.

There is a cavalry charge for the fourth spot on the list.

There did not appear to be any discernible biases over the main track last

week.

On grass, closers were advantaged when the meet began on Friday, stalkers did

best on Saturday and both courses appeared to play quite fairly on Sunday.

No particular paths on dirt appeared preferable.

HORSES TO WATCH

Friday (11/9)

2ND – WHERE WOODY BEA (Woodman) finished a much improved third off a layoff

and dropping. Won the pace battle, but lost the war to two fresh closers in a

race that finished up well late.

3RD – CRAZYBOOK (Montbrook) failed to exhibit his usual quick turn of early

foot off a freshening. Raced a bit wide and lethargically early on vs. a

dominant speed setting a quick pace. He is clearly at his best on the front end.

5TH – MAASTRICHT (Deputy Minister) improved to third stretching out and

dropping. Chased a dizzying pace carved out by odds-on winning favorite in a

swiftly run race. Would benefit from a cutback in distance.

Saturday (11/10)

3RD – FLANDERS FIELDS (A. P. Indy) might be a star in the making. Manhandled

his competition to win by 6 1/2 lengths widening lengths. Regally bred runner

will only get better with age and distance.

5TH - STRAIGHT RUN (Straight Man) finished a fine third setting a quick and

pressured pace from an outside post. Held well until deep stretch and

subsequently gave ground grudgingly while bumping with the eventual winner.

6TH – PRAIA DA PIPA (Dynaformer) was compromised by a bit of a wide trip

rating off of a modest pace. Appears to be at her best racing closer to the

front end.

Sunday (9/11)

2ND – AUTUMNAL (Forestry) showed vast improvement in second career start

adding Lasix and blinkers. Argued an excruciatingly quick pace to midstretch

prior to giving way. Might need some time to recoup from this strenuous effort

and may appreciate a cut back in distance.

9TH – Society Selection wound up a sharp second off a freshening. Clearly

profited from her myectomy, which is an operation performed to correct a

breathing problem. Rated too far behind a modest pace prior to finishing

strongly to take down the place, chasing home the wire-to-wire winning favorite.

Needs a livelier pace scenario to be at her best.