Belmont Park Notebook

BELMONT PARK NOTEBOOK

OCTOBER 23, 2009

by Albie Johnson

Last weekend's stakes -- the Athenia (G3) and Knickerbocker (G3) -- were

re-scheduled for this week on Wednesday and Thursday, respectively, due to heavy

rains that descended on Belmont Friday morning and forced the cancellation of all

turf racing over a three-day period.

Racing was conducted here for only four days this past week due to a Columbus

Day card on Monday. Even without any graded events, there were some interesting races and fine

performances worth noting.

Thursday's card produced a nice debut winner in SEIS DE MAYO (Dixieland Band),

who tracked the early pace in the off going, moved up to engage the

heavily-favored leader turning for home and proved easily best to win by 3 1/4

lengths.

On Friday, the Nick Zito-trained V SAT (Vindication) was impressive in his

maiden win as he broke sharply, set fast fractions and drew clear to win by 2

3/4 lengths. The Bob Lapenta-owned juvenile colt stopped the clock in :57.61 for the

five-furlong contest.

One race later, CUFF ME (Officer) put on the best performance of the week in

winning this state-bred entry-level allowance. She had impressed in her maiden

win this past June and was even better in this come-backer. She broke running

from the rail, but was eased back and out to let another set the pace. Taking

over without urging, the lass glided home over the sloppy, sealed surface to

win by 13 1/4 lengths in 1:10.27. She did it with such ease that I think she can beat open foes down the road.

On Saturday's stake-less card, the Zito-trained BIKER BOY (Came Home) made

his second start back off a lengthy layoff a winning one as he captured this

mile allowance/optional claimer by rating early, taking over when ready and

holding sway under some pressure to report home by 1 3/4 lengths. The bay colt ran

his record to 5-1-1 from eight starts, and he showed some quality last spring when finishing

close up in the Carter S. (G1).

TRACK STATS

The abbreviated week began on Thursday, with

the main-track listed as good and sealed and the turf firm. There was no grass

racing for the last three cards, and the main track was sloppy and sealed on

Friday and Sunday. The Saturday program began with a muddy surface that

was upgraded to good later in the card.

The track played fairly with a nice mix on

each day, except for Sunday when the winners mostly came from outside posts and paths.

HORSES TO WATCH

Thursday (10/15)

2ND -- Making his debut in this spot, ALLTIFFEDOFF (Strategic Mission) raced within

range on the firm turf and stayed on well while not offering a strong late rally

to finish fifth of 10. The Pat Reynolds-trained juvenile

attracted Ramon Dominguez for his unveiling and should move forward next out.

6TH -- FLYING VALENTINE (Lion Heart) set the early pace before being passed

by Seis de Mayo. Although no match

late, he was more than six lengths clear of the third-place finisher.

Friday (10/16)

2ND -- Nice debut by QUAY LIME GUY (Limehouse) as he chased the pace of V

Sat and never stopped trying. The juvenile colt was beaten 2 3/4 lengths on the sloppy, sealed surface but was an even dozen clear of the show runner.

Purchased earlier this year for $150,000, he shouldn't be long in breaking his

maiden.

5TH -- Making his second start, HOPEFUL BOY (Strong Hope) had a very

rough start, being bumped and forced to check, and raced evenly once away. In

his debut he faced the talented Aspire (Tale of the Cat), who would go on to

place in both the Hopeful S. (G1) and Champagne S. (G1), and may have more

talent than he's shown.

Saturday (10/17)

2ND -- Claimed at Del Mar by trainer Bruce Levine and brought east, SVEN

DIESEL (Harlan's Holiday) tired in this spot in his first race on conventional

dirt. Racing within range early, he leveled off in midstretch and should improve

next out.

UPCOMING STAKES

This Saturday, which is the final one of the Fall Championship meet, is New York Showcase Day,

but not all of the seven stakes for New York-breds will take place on that day.

The New York Racing Association has decided to once again reschedule the turf

races due to the influx of wet weather. Therefore, the five dirt stakes, headed by the

$250,000 Empire Classic, will take place on Saturday, while the $150,000 Mohawk

and $150,000 Ticonderoga on grass will go off Sunday.

Have a nice week!