Belmont Notebook

BELMONT NOTEBOOK

NOVEMBER 2, 2010

by John Mucciolo

A pair of graded events led the way during closing week at Belmont Park.

Bold Ruler H. (G3):

Derrick Smith's Grade 1 winner BRIBON (Fr) (Mark of Esteem [Ire]) took

command inside the final furlong and pulled clear to a 1 ¾-length win under

pilot John Velazquez. The Todd Pletcher trainee endured seven-eighths on the

main oval in 1:22 1/5.

Turnback the Alarm S. (G3):

Renpher Stable's OUR KHRYSTY (Newfoundland) wore down in the favorite in the

final yards to earn a nose victory in this one with Dominguez. The four-year-old

filly went 1 1/16 miles in 1:43 1/5 for conditioner Todd Beattie.

Track Stats

A total of 46 races were held last week at the Elmont, New York venue, with

favorites winning at a 43 percent rate and the top two betting choices combining

for 61 percent of the wins. From 27 races on the main oval, four animals won in

wire-to-wire fashion (15 percent), while two of the 19 grassy tests were won in

front-running style (11 percent).

Speed was no particularly well on either surface, especially the turf, during

the past week. Both grass courses have been much kinder to horses off the pace

for the past four weeks, and for those looking for big prices at Belmont, we

recommend playing grass races.

HORSES TO WATCH

Wednesday (10/27)

5TH -- ALYKELA (Kela) rallied well from last to be second in this one on an

oval that was playing kindly to speed types all day. The Glenn DiSanto-trained

sophomore filly might be worth a play, or at least using in the exotics, next

out.

8TH -- Grade 1-placed BELLE OF THE HALL (Graeme Hall) returned to her winning

ways with a nice win in this one for conditioner Tom Albertrani. The

three-year-old came home fast under Ramon Dominguez and should be headed to face

graded foes in the near future.

Thursday (10/28)

4TH -- MISS VALENTINE (Afleet Alex) made a nice showing at first asking for

conditioner Christophe Clement, rallying nicely to get up beneath Dominguez. The

juvenile filly could turn out to be a major player against fellow New York-bred

foes in the future with improvement.

Friday (10/29)

1ST -- JUST HOLD ON (Eurosilver) couldn't threaten the winner late but

finished well clear of second in what could turn out to be a productive race for

John Terranova.

3RD -- SPEIGHTFUL AFFAIR (Speightstown) put forth a solid effort in her first

since April, and the bay sophomore is one to definitely watch in her subsequent

outing.

7TH -- English invader BANGALORE GOLD (Ire) (Elusive City) rallied swiftly

after being last in this turf event and has every right to move up in his second

start in the U.S. for Clement.

Saturday (10/30)

2ND -- $1.2 million yearling BUFFUM (Bernardini) took command nearing the far

turn and held gamely in the latter stages to win at first asking for Albertrani.

The bay colt is bred to be very nice and appears to have the potential to live

up to that classy pedigree.

COOL BLUE RED HOT (Harlan's Holiday) just missed in a sharp first run for

Angel Penna Jr., who is not known for his prowess with debut runners. This one

will graduate soon on whatever oval he appears.

4TH -- We're not sure what to say about the 12-length romp by first time

starter ROYAL DELTA (Empire Maker) in here, other than that there can't be many

more impressive long-term prospects in this division. Trained by Bill Mott, the

blue-blooded filly is bred to run all day and was quite professional in here,

and we assume she'll be bound for the Demoiselle S. (G2) next.

Sunday (10/31)

8TH -- We tabbed RUTHENIA (Pulpit) after her superb maiden conquer, and the

juvenile filly made good in her stakes debut in here to remain unbeaten in two

career outings. The full-sister to millionaire Rutherienne looks like a very

exciting prospect who could be every bit as good as her big sister if she

continues to improve.

A Look Ahead

The racing shifts to Aqueduct beginning Friday.