Belmont Park Notebook

BELMONT PARK NOTEBOOK

MAY 29, 2009

by Albie Johnson

Memorial Day weekend was highlighted, as always, with the running of the

Metropolitan H. (G1). A field of 12 faced the starter in the $600,000 contest,

with a fine mix of runners comprising varying types of backgrounds. It's been some

time since the term "he's a top miler" was used, but the winner of this year's

running, BRIBON (Fr) (Mark of Esteem [Ire]) certainly fits that category. The

chestnut gelding

was coming off a win in the Westchester S. (G3) on April 29 at this track and

distance, and he used a similar move around the far turn to propel himself to

victory.

The pace here was fast and, after guiding Bribon in the clear well out in the

track, jockey Alan Garcia launched a wide bid midway thru the turn. Fanned five wide turning for home,

the pair ran down multiple Grade 2 winner Smooth Air

(Smooth Jazz) in the last sixteenth to win by a half-length. It was a nice training job by

Bob Ribaudo to keep Bribon sharp. The winner ran his local record to 7-3-3-1 and

his mile slate to 10-5-2-1.

It will be interesting to see what he can do in a race like the August 8 Whitney (G1)

at Saratoga where he would be trying two turns while going an extra furlong.

The stakes menu on the holiday began two days earlier with the Sheepshead Bay

S. (G2) for fillies and mares going 1 3/8 miles on the inner turf course.

The race didn't have a lot of pace on paper and favored CRITICISM (GB)

(Machiavellian) took full advantage of that fact, taking the early lead, setting

pedestrian interior fractions, and sprinting clear late to win by 2 1/4

lengths. Mushka (Empire Maker), who had chased her from the start, gamely held well

for the place with the remainder of the field done in by the pace scenario.

Bred and owned by Darley Stable, Criticism is trained by Tom Albertrani and winning rider Javier

Castellano did a nice job in slowing the pace down.

Sunday's main event, the Vagrancy H. (G2), a sprint for distaffers, had a very

small field of five and was highlighted by the fourth meeting this year of Game

Face (Menifee) and Any Limit (Limit Out). The pair had faced each other three

times at Gulfstream, with the former holding a two-to-one edge going into this

rematch. The race was over early, though, as CAROLYN'S CAT (Forestry) sprinted clear early,

put away a bid by Any Limit on the turn and drew away to a 3 1/4-length triumph.

The chestnut four-year-old was making her third start back off a lengthy layoff,

finishing a solid second in her

final start of 2008 in the Nassau County S. (G3) last May

on this surface. The filly was no doubt aided by a very strong inside speed bias

that prevailed on this day. Kiaran McLaughlin put the saddle on her and stable

rider Alan Garcia had the mount.

For the record, Any Limit finished fourth and Game Face fifth and last in the

6 1/2-furlong contest.

Track Conditions

It was fast and firm on all six days that racing was conducted. A

strong inside speed bias was evident on the main track on Sunday while the turf

course played fairly in both sprints and longer contests all week.

HORSES TO WATCH

Wednesday (5/20)

3RD -- Dropped in class in his second start off a claim by trainer Dom Galluscio,

SEEYOUATSERGIOS (Crafty C. T.) broke in the air, was rushed early to contest the

pace and, after a bumping incident with the pacesetting winner, had to settle for

second beaten a head. It was a very tough beat as he was clearly the better horse. Next

out.

5TH -- PEGASUS TOMMY D. (Gold Fever) became a new animal when he was sent

to the grass last year by trainer Leo O'Brien. Returning in this spot from a

late November layoff, he broke a bit tardily and lacked clear racing room

almost the entire race before finishing fifth, beaten about 3 1/2 lengths. He should move

forward next out.

Thursday (5/21)

1ST -- BELLE ALLURE (Ire) (Numerous) kept nothing but the best company in

France during both her racing seasons. Sent stateside late last year to the barn of

Christophe Clement, she raced evenly in her U.S. bow in December and had been given

the past five months off by her connections. Nicely prepared for this spot off

the break, she rated early, bid when asked and drew clear late, racing with

Lasix administered for the first time. She should be headed for stakes soon.

6TH -- In a truly impressive performance, REELEY MISBEHAVING (Mr. Greeley)

trailed the field early in this nine-furlong maiden contest on the grass,

accelerated midway thru the turn and went from last to first in less than two

furlongs, eventually winning by two lengths. The lightly raced state-bred filly is

in the barn of Barclay Tagg and looks to have a bright future.

Friday (5/22)

4TH -- NEW YAWKER (Proud Citizen) chased the eventual daylight winner,

offered his best turning for home and flattened a bit late to wind up third.

This effort was his first here after coming from Gulfstream, and trainer George Weaver

should get him his maiden win soon.

Saturday (5/23)

5TH -- After opening a long early lead in this 1 1/4-mile maiden turf contest,

EN FUEGO (El Prado [Ire]) tired slightly in the last sixteenth to finish a close-up

third in a race won by his entrymate. This effort was strong and came off almost a

half-year's absence. Next time.

Sunday (5/24)

4TH -- Talented and lightly raced, PORTE BONHEUR (Hennessy) finished a fine

second in the Vagrancy, her first effort since November when she was

last seen winning a stakes at Woodbine. The Grade 3 winner will be a force the rest of the season wherever she races.

Upcoming stakes

This weekend's stakes action will feature the $150,000 Sands Point S. (G2)

for three-year-old fillies going 1 1/8 miles on the turf.

Have a nice week!