BELMONT PARK NOTEBOOK
OCTOBER 30, 2009
by Albie Johnson
The Fall Championship meet came to a close with the way it started, with
rainy weather affecting the stakes schedule. Both the Athenia (G3) and the
Knickerbocker(G3), originally scheduled for the previous weekend, were smartly moved
by management to the final week.
First up was the Athenia for fillies and mares going 1 1/16 miles on the
inner turf course. Race on paper and with the betting public looked like it was
BELLE ALLURE’s (Ire) (Numerous) to lose, and she did win, but by a very narrow
margin.
Pace over the “good” going was set by Miss Lombardi (Unbridled Jet) with the
favorite never far back and saving ground. The front-runner was done turning for
home and passed by Kristi With a K (Petionville), who opened up a clear
length in midstretch with Belle Allure not far back on the hedge and her
uncoupled barn-mate Cable (Dynaformer) on the outside. Belle angled out in the
final sixteenth and was up in the final stride to win by a head over “Kristi,”
with Cable another three-quarters of a length back in third.
The winner was coming off a short break for trainer Chris Clement after
finishing second and third in a pair of overnight stakes
during the summer.
The following day saw older males go 1 1/8 miles on the inner turf in the
Knickerbocker.
The much-improved Lemon Cream Pie (Lemon Drop Kid) set off for the top and
set legitimate fractions over the course labeled good and wasn’t seriously
challenged until inside the eighth-pole. At that point,
OPERATION RED DAWN (Miswaki), who had saved ground throughout, angled off the
hedge and wore down the pacesetter in the last sixteenth to win by 1 1/2 lengths, with Brave Tin Soldier (Storm Cat) another 6
1/2 lengths back in third.
Veteran gelding has been a regular on this circuit his entire career and
completed a sweep of the two turf stakes for trainer Chris Clement.
Saturday was New York Showcase Day with seven state-bred stakes scheduled,
but as with the previous weekend, management moved a pair of grass stakes from
that card to the following day when the weather was more agreeable.
The highlight of the program, the $250,000 Empire Classic, was run over a
sloppy and sealed track. HAYNESFIELD (Speightstown), who had shown a
lot of promise last winter when beating open company in the Whirlaway and Count
Fleet, proved best here in his second start back off a seven-month
layoff. Sharpened by trainer Steve Asmussen in a sprint following the layoff,
the chestnut colt was up and on the pace early on, took over before the half in
the nine-furlong contest and held sway
by a half-length after opening a clear lead in midstretch. The fast-closing Ruffino (Raffie’s Majesty)
got up for second. Ramon
Dominguez rode the sophomore winner flawlessly, capping a big day for him as he
won the last four stakes in succession.
Track conditions
Wednesday and Thursday of the final week saw fast and good
conditions which went to fast and firm on Friday. Showcase Day saw no turf
racing and a main-track that began the day as muddy and sealed before being changed
to sloppy later in the card. Sunday, the final day at Belmont until late April,
had a fast dirt surface and the turf was labeled soft.
Track played fairly all week with a mix of runners on the front-end,
stalkers, and those coming from well-behind enjoying success. The turf course
favored those that raced just off the pace and saved ground while wide sweeping
moves were to be avoided..
HORSES TO WATCH
Wednesday (10/21)
3RD — Few horses improve as quickly as BIRDRUN (Birdstone). Chestnut colt
broke his maiden at Saratoga running for $35,000 and has progressed rapidly
since. In this first level allowance, he rated just off the pace, took over when
asked and drew off to a 8 1/4-length score, stopping the clock in 1:39.38 for
the 1 1/16-mile race (new track record). Sophomore from the Bill Mott barn
will be interesting to follow.
Thursday (10/22)
6TH — RIGHT OF WAY (Belong to Me), who came into this off a win, made a
wide, sweeping move in this seven-furlong contest to challenge out of the turn,
but flattened late to finish a distant fourth. He lost a lot of ground and
the result should allow a square price next out.
7TH — HOOKED ON HOPE (Hook and Ladder), who was moving from a state-bred
allowance to an open $25,000 claimer, pressed a fast pace and fought to a short
lead before being raced into submission by the eventual winner. Solid run and he
should fare well at Aqueduct, which always favors speed-types.
Friday (10/23)
7TH — INSIDE INFO (Outofthebox) was involved in a race-long pace battle and
did so while racing between runners most of the way, holding well late to finish
third. May be able to “steal one” going longer on the Aqueduct
turf with its sharper turns.
9TH — After rushing-up early to take command, MINDBENDER (Mineshaft) set
fast splits and was passed late by a pair that had perfect trips saving ground
before rallying. Filly is another that may find a stretch-out in distance on the
“Big A’s” turf to her liking.
Saturday (10/24)
3RD — Heavily favored off an impressive maiden win, BWANA JAKE (Forestry)
was involved in a spirited three-way speed duel through very fast fractions
(:21.73 and 45:17) before winning the battle only to be caught in the last two
strides. Big effort for a lightly-raced colt facing winners for the first time.
Sunday (10/25)
2ND — On the shelf since his 4th place finish at Saratoga in
his debut, ALEX LE GREAT(Afleet Alex) rated just off the pace, bid strongly from
the 3/8th’s to mid-stretch but could not get by the impressive wire-to-wire
winner who had a recency edge on him. Tagg trained colt may next be seen in
Florida.
Notes
Congratulations are in order to jockey Ramon Dominguez and trainer
Todd Pletcher who proved best in their respective categories at the end of this
fall meet. Dominguez was winning his 5th straight title in New York
while Pletcher won his 20th overall and 7th at this fall
session.
Upcoming Stakes at Aqueduct
10/31 The Bold Ruler (G3), three & up, seven furlongs
10/31 The Turnback the Alarm, three & up, fillies & mares, 1 1/8 miles
11/1 The Long Island H. three & up, fillies & mares, 1 1/2 miles (turf)
Have a Nice Week!!