Belmont Notebook

BELMONT NOTEBOOK

OCTOBER 10, 2013

by John Mucciolo

A handful of graded races topped the weekend at Belmont Park.

Champagne S. (G1): John Magnier et al's HAVANA (Dunkirk) seized the

lead approaching the final turn while on the inside, expanded that advantage by

midstretch and then held on bravely from a pair of deep closers to win by a neck

for Todd Pletcher. The impressive juvenile colt, unbeaten from a pair of tries,

got one mile on the fast main strip in 1:35 4/5 with Irad Ortiz Jr. in the

irons.

Jamaica S. (G1): Sam-Son Farm's homebred UP WITH THE BIRDS (Stormy

Atlantic) moved into contention approaching the turn for home, edged to the

clear in late stretch and held off a few classy ones on the way to a half-length

tally under Cornelio Velasquez. The Malcolm Pierce trainee went nine panels on

the firm turf in 1:48 3/5 to earn his first Grade 1 win.

Frizette S. (G1): Chester and Mary Broman's ARTEMIS AGROTERA (Roman

Ruler) pressed the pace in second, took command in early stretch and strode home

a one-length vixen for conditioner Michael Hushion. The juvenile filly clocked

the one-mile on the fast main oval in 1:36 1/5 beneath Jose Lezcano.

Miss Grillo S. (G2): Covello et al's TESTA ROSSI (Dr Fong) was last

early, made a huge sweeping move to take over nearing midstretch and then held

on gamely from a fast-closing foe to post a nose victory with Lezcano riding.

The Chad Brown pupil, who was making her U. S. debut, stopped the teletimer in a

solid 1:41 3/5.

Pilgrim S. (G3): Ken and Sarah Ramsey's homebred BOBBY'S KITTEN

(Kitten's Joy) overtook the lead in early stretch and powered home a most

convincing 6 1/4-length winner of this race for Brown. The two-year-old

Kentucky-bred came home fast in clocking the 1 1/16 miles on the firm lawn in

1:42 1/5 with Javier Castellano in the saddle.

Track Stats

A total of 50 races were held at the Elmont, New York, venue, with favorites

winning at a 22 percent rate and the top two betting choices combining for 52

percent of the wins during the week. From 23 races on the main oval, two animals

won in wire-to-wire fashion (9 percent), while five of the 27 races on the lawn

were taken all the way on the front (19 percent).

The main oval favored closers this week more than ever before at this

meeting, as just a pair led throughout over Big Sandy. We'll keep an eye on

these statistics, but have a hunch speed will come back into play in the

upcoming week.

Of the five wire jobs on the lawn, a trio of those came on the inner turf

(two sprints and one route), while the other pair came in the form of route

races on the outer green.

Meet Totals

RACES:		217
DIRT:		107
TURF:		110
FAVORITES:		59 (27 percent)
2ND CHOICES:		49 (23 percent)
TURF WIRE:		14 (13 percent)
DIRT WIRE:		38 (36 percent)

HORSES TO WATCH

Wednesday (10/2)

1ST -- SUNRISE KITTY (Cowtown Cat) had no chance with the loose on the lead

winner but close well to finish a clear second for conditioner Jason Servis. The

sophomore filly will be a major player right back with any type of improvement.

2ND -- Trainer Mark Hennig doesn't get a lot of debut winners, so when CABO

CAT (Kitten's Joy) won going away in his debut we took notice. It's probably

wise to keep an eye on the juvenile colt going forward for a barn hitting on all

cylinders at this meeting.

8TH -- Although BABY J (J Be K) won a race with just three runners in it, we

still came away impressed with the sophomore filly in running down a clear one

late under Javier Castellano. The three-year-old miss is very stubborn and we

think she looms a chance right back if in with similar.

Thursday (10/3)

5TH -- Trainer Eddie Kenneally unveiled a real promising youngster in

ULTIMATE SHOPPER (Yes It's True), who went fast early and never looked back en

route to a dominant, 12 1/2-length debut win under Jose Lezcano. The sophomore

filly could simply be any kind going forward.

8TH -- BLUEGRASS SPRINGS (Bluegrass Cat) ran out of his skin a little in this

turf dash, reeling in a clear leader late and driving home a 1 1/2-length hero

in a fast time. The sophomore got his final quarter in a rapid :22 1/5 and could

be in a fine form cycle for Linda Rice.

Friday (10/4)

1ST -- SAMPSON COUNTY (Majestic Warrior) had little chance late with the 1-5

winner, but this James Lawrence trainee held on well in the lane to be a nice

second and even slight improvement should put the sophomore in position to win

next time.

4TH -- Trainer David Jacobson might have gotten a nice one off the claim with

PASS THE TAP (Pleasant Tap), who tracked in second, wore down the pace setter

and inched clear to a convincing score beneath Lezcano. The gelded

three-year-old will likely be a factor in his debut with winners next time.

Saturday (10/5)

5TH -- HARDEST CORE (Hard Spun) got stuck with yet another real tough post

position but came through with a fine late run under Luis Saez, getting up late

over a solid field. We like this sophomore colt a lot and consider him to be a

stakes-caliber performer in the very near future.

6TH -- RARE EAGLE (Birdstone) broke last early and had a ton of work to do in

the early going, but this Tom Albertrani debuter closed well to be a nice third,

a race that should set the juvenile colt up for next time. It's surely not easy

for a first timer to go 1 1/16 miles against experienced runners, so we applaud

this effort.

9TH -- ARTEMIS AGROTERA really impressed us in this route debut, rating some

early and putting in her best run on cue in a classy score in just her second

lifetime race. We think this lass topped a nice field and will be very tough in

the Breeders' Cup if her connections opt to go in that direction.

Sunday (10/6)

1ST -- CAIRO PRINCE (Pioneerof the Nile) pressed the early leader, took the

lead in the lane and never looked back in posting a sharp 2 3/4-length debut win

for conditioner Kiaran McLaughlin. The juvenile colt came home fast and we're

pretty sure this one will be able to stretch out with more seasoning.

HARPOON (Tapit) was more than 11 lengths clear of third and shouldn't be a

maiden for long for trainer Todd Pletcher.

10TH -- SKY PAINTER (Street Cry) was outmoved on the turn and fell just a

nose shy of the wire late in a very positive performance for conditioner

McLaughlin. This two-year-old lass shouldn't be taken lightly next time,

especially if she heads to the Golden State.

A Look Ahead

Saturday will play host to a pair of Grade 3 races on the lawn – the $200,000

Knickerbocker Handicap and the $200,000 Athenia Stakes.