Belmont Stakes PP's and Analysis

[two gun sid]

From DRF:
Belmont Park - Belmont Stakes (G1)
By DAVE LITFIN

1. BOB AND JOHN 2. SUNRIVER 3. STEPPENWOLFER

http://www.drf.com/row/row.html#analysis1

http://www.drf.com/row/pps/06belmontstakes.pdf

I'll be at the farm this weekend getting everything ready for a couple of new foals. I wish everyone good luck.

Oh, and my picks are:
1. Jazil
2. Bluegrass Cat
3. Sunriver

[aaronbees]

1. I like Sunriver...

In fact, I must admit I like both of Pletcher's horses in this one. Actually, I'd box those three you mentioned, Sid. Bob and John could still redeem himself, but I'm not convinced he'll get the distance.

I do like a horse that's running fairly close to the pace in a race like the Belmont.

Here's Haskin's report from Wednesday : http://tcm.bloodhorse.com/viewstory.asp?id=33903. Looks like Sunriver is in good form and Oh So Awesome is an intriguing prospect.

[Justpat]

2. It is cool and sunny here today but with 30 mph winds.

I don't know if the wind is supposed to last all day, but it is like an October day right now.
The track should be really good all day.

It is a great card today.

[aaronbees]

3. Bushfire takes Acorn

Nice win by her coming back down the stretch -- sure was game.

[aaronbees]

4. We nailed it, Sid....

What a race! Hope you bet that trifecta (I didn't). Great, strong move by Jazil.

Altogether, I was impressed by ABC's coverage, particularly the camera work that puts us right into the thick of the race; Jerry Bailey's commentary has been insightful.

Oh, the #8 horse won all three Triple Crown races.
:tinfoilhat: :tinfoilhat: :tinfoilhat:

[two gun sid]

11. The 8 horse won all 3 legs?

That is so strange.

[Awsi Dooger]

5. Good race

Last quarter in 25 1/5, very respectable for the Belmont, although the track did seem to be quite fast

[Justpat]

6. Way to go Sid! n/t

[Awsi Dooger]

7. That is awesome!

Cold trifecta. I didn't even notice until now.

[two gun sid]

12. Ahhh, I didn't bet it.

To be totally honest, you're the one that turned me on to Jazil. After the Wood you said he was really flying so I went back and looked at him again. Several times in fact. That is a pretty good horse.

How's everything in NY? I hope you guys are all well.

[Justpat]

14. Everything here is OK.

The two year old that I own myself will run as soon as a race comes up.
And the three year old that I bred and sold in MD as a yearling was just
second in a stake at Louisiana Downs. So I am very proud of my cheap little mare.


I liked Jazil a lot today too. The way he closed in the Wood was visually impressive but the time of the last eighth was
pretty slow. But I was there that day and watched him really get rolling after the wire and gallop out like a good thing
for the next eighth of a mile.

[two gun sid]

15. Please, don't let me miss your 2YO's first race....

let us know when. Sounds like you've got a nice broodmare.

[Justpat]

18. OK. n/t

[bread_and_roses]

8. Good luck with your foals. (n/t)

[two gun sid]

10. Thanks. I'll put some pictures up soon.

[two gun sid]

9. I'm home. What did I miss?

Spent the day at the farm. Cleaned the run-ins. Spred a load of dirt in both run-ins and around the feeding stations. Sectioned off a run-in with two 18in openings for foals to enter and eat without their dams.

Last night I hauled two mares up to a breeding farm to have them short cycled and will attempt to breed them one last time. Our big trotting mare threw a fit in the trailer and I was on pins and needles all the way. Everybody arrived in one piece but I think she took 3yrs off of my life. She's getting a little seditive for the trip home.

Our trainer stopped by today to look the yearling colts over. He's pretty happy with Curly's development. Stanley's too. I had some hoof pack I was gonna drop off to him and he said he was training Mick 2 trips and I should come over and see him. (And help too). Mick looked good. He popped a gravel a couple of weeks ago and got an abcess. MSU cut part of the foot away and Mick has been swimming in the pool. I wish I had his life. He didn't do anything fast today. Just a quick jog really.

2YO filly was diagnosed with EPM. She was really rough gaited last Monday so Jack had her vetted. She starts treatment this week. The other 2YO is doing well. We went to the baby races last weekend and Red won a heat.

I see Jazil won the Belmont. Can any of you guys give me your impressions of the race? I see Keyed Entry was scratched from a race earlier on the card. Anyone know why?

[aaronbees]

13. Jazil looked great...

Not sure about the speed figure on this one ... pretty good time but that track seemed wicked fast. Jazil made a strong move a little earlier than I would've expected at the middle of the turn and had the lead by the quarter pole. Bluegrass Cat was game and Sunriver just wasn't strong enough but ran well. Steppenwolfer moved up nice and steady but flattened out. Bob and John led for much of the race but tired pretty much where I thought he might -- pretty moderate fractions.

Chart's up here: http://www.equibase.com/premium/eqbPDFChartIndex.cfm?TID=BEL&CTRY=USA&DAY=D&DT=06/10/2006&STYLE=EQB.

Jara rode Jazil perfectly -- cool ride and perfectly timed threading his way through.

I'm kicking myself for not betting that trifecta. ($436 payoff!)

Sounds like your crew is keeping you busy, Sid! Best wishes for em!

[two gun sid]

16. $14.40 to win. I can't believe he went off at those kind of odds.

Thanks for the chart and recap. I'll catch the race later tonight on Race Replays or the Belmont website.

[two gun sid]

17. Lava Man is turning into a monster.

He's won the Hollywood Gold Cup, the Santa Anita Handicap and now the Charles Whittingham Memorial Handicap on the turf. I hope he stays sound and we get to see him in the BC Classic. Nice horse.

Whittingham Chart:
http://www.equibase.com/premium/eqbPDFChart.cfm?TID=HOL&CTRY=USA&DAY=D&DT=06/10/2006&STYLE=EQB&RACE=6&BorP=B

<on edit> OB, if you see this, I see Spun Sugar is at Belmont. Have you seen her and how does she look? I'm a huge fan.