BELMONT NOTEBOOK
JUNE 15, 2005
by Bernard T. Moore
The big day finally arrived at Belmont Park last Saturday. Under clear skies
with the temperature hovering around the 80 degree mark, Belmont Stakes Day 2005
began at noon, right on schedule. And while the excitement did not attain the
fever pitch that it had in recent years, the Belmont S. (G1) was still
greeted with great anticipation by the 62,274 fans on hand to witness one of
Thoroughbred racing’s biggest events. We’ll begin with the plethora of stakes
leading up to the Belmont.
On Friday, NYRA carded the Flash S. (G3) and the Hill Prince S. (G3) to whet your
appetite for the following day’s races. And while I doubt we saw next year’s
Belmont winner in this contest, the five juvenile runners who competed made the
race quite entertaining, with just two noses separating the first three
finishers. BEACON SHINE (Montbrook) was the most photogenic of the trio, with
Union Course (Dixie Union) running second and Speed of Sound (Phone Trick)
finishing third. The winner dueled for the lead virtually every step of the way,
and held grimly in the stretch to withstand the late charge of Union Course, who
raced in the second flight early before rallying in the stretch to just miss.
Speed of Sound suffered a heartbreaking defeat, setting a pressured pace
throughout and continued to hold on gamely to the wire to just miss, finishing
another nose back in third.
The Hill Prince for three-year-olds on the turf at nine furlongs generated a
dramatic result of its own when the top three finishers in the race hit the wire
on virtually even terms as well. REY DE CAFÉ (Kingmambo) closed strongly in deep
stretch between runners, overcoming a bumping incident near the wire to score by
a scant nose over Prince Rahy (Rahy) who finished second. The runner-up also
rallied from off the pace, and appeared to “hang a bit” in deep stretch, but
managed to finish a neck in front of Classic Campaign (Rahy). The third-place
finisher was able to assume a daylight lead in midstretch, but weakened under
pressure late in a fine effort. After a stewards inquiry was conducted
concerning a bumping incident in deep stretch, the original order of finish
remained unchanged.
Rey De Café is quickly developing a reputation for not doing any more than
necessary in order to win. His last three margins of victory combined total a
little more than a neck, and he is evidently a runner that needs his late rally
timed to perfection to be at its absolute best. Still, he is clearly an
animal you would like to have in your barn.
Saturday’s undercard was spectacular, featuring six stakes. The White
Carnation S. for older fillies and mares got things started in good order, as
the race featured a stretch-long speed duel between Judy Soda (Personal Flag) and MADONNA LILY
(Elusive Quality). The former was able to come out on top by a half-length, at
least for awhile. Then, the stewards had their say, and disqualified Judy Soda,
placing her second behind Madonna Lily for interference in the stretch. In my
opinion, it was a marginal call and really could have gone either way. Strategy
(A.P. Indy), the 6-5 favorite in the race, finished third in an even effort.
One of the more contentious races on the day was the True North Breeders’ Cup
H. (G2) for three-year-olds and up at six furlongs. Lukewarm favoritism in the
race was bestowed upon Smokume (Smoke Glacken), but WOKE UP DREAMIN dueled that
rival into defeat, slowly edging away in the stretch en route to a two-length
victory. Vodoo (Petionville) stalked the front runners down the backstretch and
then rallied in the stretch to grab second, finishing three parts of a length in
front of Mass Media (Touch Gold). Smokume retreated to fourth after arguing the
early fractions.
SAND SPRINGS (Dynaformer), who finished seventh in her first attempt over
the Belmont Park grass, made her return trip a more pleasurable experience by
annexing the Just a Game Breeders’ Cup H. (G2) at a mile for fillies and mares.
She is trained by Billy Mott, who proved he still knows what to do with a horse
that can run. Sand Springs set a comfortable pace while racing well out in the
course, and then stole away to a daylight lead when set down for the drive by
jockey John Velazquez. She had more than enough gas left in the tank to stave
off the late challenge of odds-on favorite Intercontinental (GB) (Danehill) by 2
1/2 lengths. The runner-up did not have the best of trips, but still ran on
gamely late, reporting home a half-length to the good of Wonder Again (Silver
Hawk).
While everyone came to see the Belmont, there was also a great amount of
interest in the Riva Ridge Breeders’ Cup S. (G2) because of the presence of the unbeaten and
virtually untested LOST IN THE FOG (Lost Soldier). On paper, the race appeared
as though it was his to lose. And, it played out that way on the racetrack as
well, as the west coast invader went on to win by a measured 1 1/4 lengths.
The victory did not come without a few anxious moments though, as Lost in the
Fog had to endure a couple of challenges on the lead, including that of Egg Head
(Honor Grades), who gave the odds-on winner a run for his money in the stretch.
Still, after the dust had settled, Lost in the Fog remained unbeaten, winning
his seventh race in a row, this time for jockey Edgar Prado who was deputizing
for an injured Russell Baze. I also came away with a very favorable impression
of the runner-up, who was purchased privately recently, as he has blossomed by
leaps and bounds of late. Third placer Middle Earth (Dixieland Band) outran his
27-1 post time odds, disputing the pace of the winner before tiring slowly in
the stretch.
The Brooklyn H. (G2) featured the return of Kentucky Derby (G1) winner Funny
Cide (Distorted Humor) to New York in 2005. This five-year-old gelding does not
particularly care for hot and humid weather, and thus he was a very vulnerable
contender in the Brooklyn. LIMEHOUSE (Grand Slam), who shared co-favoritism in
the race along with Funny Cide, ran to his recent sharp Belmont Park works and
eked out a gritty win over 2-1 favorite Gygistar (Prospector’s Music). The
winner stalked the early pace before assuming a tenuous lead at the six furlong
marker, and Gygistar advanced to join the fray to his outside. The Todd Pletcher-trained
Limehouse was more than up to the task, slowly edging away to score by 1 1/2
lengths in very fast time (1:46 3/5).
Gygistar held well to be second and once again demonstrated that he prefers
one mile. Cuba (Not for Love) ran evenly and finished third, but was
subsequently relegated to fifth for placing Funny Cide in cramped quarters
around the far turn. Royal Assault (Kris S.) was elevated to third and Funny
Cide was moved up to fourth. The New York-bred gelding would have been closer
with clear sailing, but he wouldn’t have won with a clean trip.
The next time someone says to you, “It doesn’t matter who rides the horse you
bet on,” begin running immediately in the opposite direction. GOOD REWARD (Storm
Cat), profiting by a heady ground-saving trip negotiated by jockey Jerry Bailey
along the hedge, reaped the rewards of an astute ride as he took down the lion’s
share of the purse in the Manhattan H. (G1) at 10 furlongs over the Belmont Park
Inner Turf.
Moving up along the inside down the backstretch, Good Reward began to improve
his position under Bailey. When jockey Edgar Prado elected to take Artie
Schiller (El Prado [Ire]) off the inside to stalk the pacesetter, Good Reward
took the spot vacated by the eventual third-place finisher. As a result, that
spelled difference between victory and defeat as the pair moved to challenge for
the lead along the rail turning into the stretch. After repelling a strong bid
by Artie Schiller, Good Reward held gamely to win by a half-length as Relaxed
Gesture (Ire) (Indian Ridge) closed belatedly to take down the place by a nose
despite a bit of wide trip. Prado gave up the rail with Artie Schiller, and
maybe victory as well with that maneuver, and then gave ground grudgingly in the
stretch while saving the show.
The Belmont has been quite ably recapped by the staff here at BRIS, and there
is really no need to pontificate further with my outlook of the race. AFLEET
ALEX (Northern Afleet) was a deserving winner, and the manner in which he won
speaks volumes. I would just like to congratulate his connections on a job well
done, and I look forward to seeing Afleet Alex compete in the future.
Despite good weather and a tremendous day of racing, attendance at Belmont
Park was nearly half of what it was last year when Smarty Jones was attempting
his Triple Crown sweep. Also, the television ratings of the Belmont Stakes
dropped to its lowest level in four years. What does this mean? People tend to
watch when there is an opportunity to see history being made. Without the chance
of a Triple Crown winner, interest in the Belmont waned. The fact of the matter
is that people want a horse they can identify with, and they simply could not
hang their hat on any one runner this year. I hope that changes before the Breeders’
Cup, as this sport is in desperate need of a star, especially with the recent
retirement of Ghostzapper due to injury.
While Sunday’s stakes race might have been a bit anticlimactic, it was still
interesting nevertheless, as the rivalry between Bank Audit (Wild Rush) and
SENSIBLY CHIC (Distorted Humor), which has heated up in recent months, took
center stage once again. In the Vagrancy H. (G2), Sensibly Chic was able to
exact revenge over her nemesis, soundly defeating Bank Audit by nearly four
lengths. The winner, based in Maryland and trained by Timothy Tullock Jr.,
tracked the early pacesetters before assuming the lead in the stretch and then
proceeded to score a convincing win. Bank Audit leveled off nicely in the
stretch after racing in eighth position early on, and outfinished Ender’s Sister
(A.P. Indy) for the place by three parts of a length. Friendly Michelle (Artax), the 7-2
third choice in the wagering, flashed brief speed before retreating and finished
next-to-last, as she has failed to recapture the form she exhibited as a
three-year-old.
Speed did quite well over the main track last week. However, the track was
not extremely biased on any particular day and there were no detectable path
biases to speak of. Both turf courses seemed to play uniformly throughout the
week.
Edgar Prado continues to lead his fellow riders by a substantial margin, with
Richard Migliore and John Velazquez in a dead-heat for the second spot. Cornelio
Velasquez holds down fourth place with Norberto Arroyo Jr. and Eibar Coa tied
for fifth.
It is nice to see Mott doing well, as he assumed the top spot in the trainer
standings last week. The recently suspended Richard Dutrow Jr. is dead-locked
for second with Michael Hushion, and Todd Pletcher follows in fourth.
HORSES TO WATCH
Wednesday (6/8)
2ND – SHERPA GUIDE (Ends Well) gave a much improved effort in second start
off a layoff. Closed well late for the place behind an odds-on winning favorite
who dominated the field. Is better suited to a basement level claiming contest
over a track he likes.
4TH – GEMMIE A SATELLITE (Satellite Sun) was a decisive daylight winner in
fast time while making his initial start off a layoff for top turf trainer
Christophe Clement. Eligible to repeat in his next start against winners.
Thursday (6/9)
1ST – CASTLE KEEP (Charismatic) turned in an useful effort in his career
debut. Raced within striking distance of the pacesetters and finished with
interest in the stretch to grab the show. Should have benefited from this
initial experience and figures to be much fitter in his second career outing. If
Johnny V. stays on for the ride, it will definitely be another plus.
3RD – HAPPY HUNTING (Seeking the Gold) wound up a good third in well bet/well
meant debut. Held well chasing the early pace until midstretch, weakening as the
race quickened. Bred to win early in his career and has a pedigree to relish a
middle distance of ground.
Friday (6/10)
1ST – MISTY APPEAL (Appealing Skier) showed vast improvement stretching out
to seven furlongs and switching to a dry track. Gave futile chase to a loose
front runner setting a comfortable pace while clearly second best.
5TH – TIFFANY TOUCH (Deputy Minister) ran “sneaky well” to finish third in
her turf debut for Pletcher. Re-rallied to gain the show after
dropping back around the far turn.
7TH – Speed of Sound finished a heartbreaking third while stepping up in
class. Pinned along the inside while setting a quick and pestered pace.
Saturday (6/11)
2ND – DWANGO (Royal Academy) was a good second in his Belmont Park debut.
Compromised by a loose front runner setting a modest pace over a speed-conducive
track. Clearly second best in a race that finished up strongly.
9TH – Gygistar has obvious distance limitations, but finished with good
energy at nine furlongs in a swiftly run Brooklyn. Definitely better suited to a
mile.
10TH – Relaxed Gesture wound up a sharp second stepping up into a Grade 1
stakes off a couple of allowance victories. Hindered by a bit of an indecisive
ride while losing valuable ground. Beaten just a half-length to a perfect trip,
ground-saving winner.
Sunday (6/12)
7TH – GOT A BEEP (Wild Rush) was a much-improved third turning back to a
sprint and returning to a fast track at long odds. Exhibited a good turn of
speed to chase a lively early pace and then tired slowly late in a swiftly run
race. Fits best at a distance of one mile or under.
8TH – SMOKEY GLACKEN (Forestry) has been caught up in a pair of spirited
speed battles in both starts since returning from a prolonged layoff. Has yet to
beat older runners, and she would benefit from a little class relief in her
third start off the shelf. Has yet to win at Belmont, but is perfect at the Spa
and Monmouth Park.
9TH – GIANT REDWOOD (Pleasant Tap) has been compromised by wide trips in both
starts at Belmont Park this spring despite inside posts. Finished well late for
third against a strong final fraction in his most recent effort.