BELMONT entries and other news

[u4ic]

Afleet Alex is 6-5 Favorite for Belmont Stakes

1-- Nolan's Cat, Norberto Arroyo Jr., 50-1
2 -- Pinpoint, John Velazquez, 20-1
3 -- A.P. Arrow, Jerry Bailey, 20-1
4 -- Southern Africa, Jon Court, 12-1
5 -- Giacomo, Mike Smith, 4-1
6 -- Watchmon, Javier Castellano, 50-1
7 -- Andromeda's Hero, Rafael Bejarano, 15-1
8 -- Reverberate, Jose Santos, 6-1
9 -- Afleet Alex, Jeremy Rose, 6-5
10 -- Indy Storm, Edgar Prado, 20-1
11 -- Chekhov, Gary Stevens, 12-1

http://tcm.bloodhorse.com/viewstory.asp?id=28506

The PP's aren't up yet at DRF.

[Colorado Blue]

1. So, what do you think? I thought Afleet Alex was awesome

in the Preakness, he sure has guts.

But, I haven't really been following racing as closely as I used to. Cigar was my Hero, also I loved Azeri.

[doodadem]

2. Afleet Alex ran a great Preakness

Especially considering he got knocked to his knees, and he was third in the Derby. But Giacomo won the Derby. Since the Belmont is the longest race of the Triple Crown, it's going to depend on which is more of a distance horse.

[Justpat]

3. I have been watching Afleet Alex in the am.

He looks good. He has held up to the stress of the Triple Crown
trail as well as could be expected. It really takes it's toll on
any horse that competes in all three races but he seems happy about
his work and is carrying a decent amount of flesh.

[aaronbees]

7. Good to hear...

he's been worked hard by his trainer. I'd been a little concerned about him, judging by some photos I saw ... didn't seem to have the same lustre in his coat he's had before. Alex has really had a stong campaign since March -- hope he gets a little rest before the late summer classics.

Any report on Giacomo's look? I'm keeping my eye on one of these three to round out the tri: Pinpoint, Reverberate, Andromeda's Hero.

It's hard for me to get my hopes up in the Belmont after last year with Smarty. Big Sandy's a hearbreaker.

[Justpat]

4. Belmont undercard

race 6 - True North Handicap, 200,000
six furlongs three year olds and up

race 7 - Just A Game 300,000
1 mile on the turf fillies and mares three and up

race 8 - Riva Ridge
7/8 three year olds (Lost in the Fog is in it)

race 9 - Brooklyn Handicap 250,000
1 1/8 on the dirt. three year olds and up. (Funny Cide)

race 10 - Manhattan 400,000
1 1/4 on the turf three year olds and up.

race 11 - Belmont Stakes

you can go to http://www.equibase.com and click on entries,
then click on 6/11, then Belmont for the full fields for all races.

It's a great day of racing.

[two gun sid]

5. I am looking forward to watching the Riva Ridge....

I hope LITF gives everyone a great show.

[Awsi Dooger]

6. I haven't handicapped the race yet

But I'll take a long look before I disregard Afleet Alex. There have been several examples of a highly regarded horse not firing his best shot in the Derby for whatever reason, then waltzing in the Preakness and Belmont. I can think of Little Current, Hansel, Risen Star and Point Given.

[Justpat]

8. The past performances were out today

Friday's Daily Racing Form has the PP's for the stakes races
Sat.

I didn't have time to go over it yet.

Here are some eye witness reports though.
Giacamo looks very good. He seems to have shipped well. He was
moving well and certainly seems to be a cheerful sort. He seemed
happy about what he was doing.

Alex looks good. One of his biggest assets besides his physical
talent is his mind. He is very professional and doesn't waste
any energy worrying about things.


As for the Riva Ridge, that Lost in the Fog is a real eyeful. HE
is very powerful - muscles on top of muscles. He was making a slight
noise when he went by but not too drastic.
If he is on top of his game the rest are running for second.

I'll keep my eyes open tomorrow to see what's up. I am usually out
there on a horse so when I see them I'm galloping by and so just
get an impression of what's going on.

[aaronbees]

10. Thanks for the first-hand accounts.

Nice to hear the word on the track. Looks like Prado's got the ride for Lost in the Fog ... excellent choice. I like him in that race but he's facing some good company; I think Proud Accolade and Egg Head could be tough. Gonna be a great day of racing!

[Justpat]

11. You are welcome.

I'll keep my eyes open tomorrow and see if I can't see some of the
other horses.

[u4ic]

12. Thanks for your observations, Old Broad

It's always great to hear from someone 'in the know'.

Did you happen to see Reverberate? Did he look ok?

[Justpat]

16. I didn't see anyone today.

I only went to the main track with one horse. We kept a lot of the
young ones on the training track becuse of all the media trucks
and equipment that are all over the place at the gap where the
horses go onto the track.

Pat Reynolds, the trainer of Watchmon, thinks his horse will do
well. He likes the distance and Pat feels that they have straightened out a problem the horse had behind and he is moving better than at any time in his career.

Sorry I don't have more to report.

[u4ic]

19. I imagine last year was worse!

Hey, maybe next year you'll be ducking the media for another reason!;)

Thanks for the tip about Watchmon, your comments are always appreciated.

[Justpat]

22. I hope you are right.

[Justpat]

26. Reverberate looks good.

Southern Africa looks fantastic.

[u4ic]

27. Thanks!

I'm very interested in Reverberate. He's won twice at Belmont, and finished a good second to the 3 year old with the highest Beyer this year. His allowance before the Peter Pan he went head to head with the eventual winner (by DQ) of the Plate Trial, and I thought showed a lot of guts. On paper he should stay the 12f with no problem.

I'd love to see Afleet Alex win, but I'm keeping my eye on Reverberate.

[Justpat]

23. Did you do your handicapping yet?

What are your thoughts on the Belmont? I have a friend who is a
real student of the sheets who claims that if the first two finishers
of the Peter Pan run back to their numbers in that race, they have
a good shot at it Saturday.

I am hoping that Alex didn't injure anything in the Preakness
when he almost fell. If a thousand pound horse running at 40 mph
falls like that the amount of pressure on the supporting leg is
something like 4000 lbs of pressure. A lot of time horses sustain
injuries that don't show up till they are put under extreme pressure
again. In the morning he looks to be 100% sound so I'm hoping that
he is truly an iron horse.

I'd like to hear others thoughts on the race.

[Awsi Dooger]

25. I'm just getting ready to look at it

My handicapping isn't necessarily traditional, however. I live in las Vegas where they book plenty of prop bets like one horse to beat another horse. I place 90% of my emphasis on those matchups, not necessarily who will win the race. One on one is more my style than one to beat all. There's no 18% cut, for one thing, just the traditional 20 cent betting line for props.

Saturday is my birthday and we've got an all day golf outing planned. I might have to tape the Belmont and watch it Saturday night. Hope it's a great race! Slew won the Triple Crown on my birthday in '77.

[Patiod]

9. Gotta go with the hometown boy

and hope Afleet Alex has a good day.

[two gun sid]

13. I'm pulling for Alex but I hope Southern Africa has a good day.

I like that horse. I am really looking forward to seeing LITF race. He is the most exciting hoss I've seen in a while.

[two gun sid]

14. Belmont day is really shaping up to be great....

A lot of really good horses running that day. Artie Schiller. Smokeume. Limehouse. Gygistar. Funny Cide. Evening Attire. Lost In The Fog. Wonder Again.

If this doesn't get your heart racing you ain't a fan!

[Justpat]

17. It is a terrific day of racing.

But Barclay Tagg is dragging his feet again about running Funny Cide
in the Brooklyn. He doesn't want to run him if it's too hot. The
horse doesn't like the heat.

[u4ic]

15. The French Oaks is on Sunday

Divine Proportions is a hot favourite...how about a filly who beat the boys in a Group one at 2?!! Vadawina is unbeaten in 3 races, faces her.

http://www.sportinglife.com/racing/news/story_get.dor?STORY_NAME=racing/05/06/09/RACING_Chantilly.html

I'd love to see that one.

[jakefrep]

18. It's a light weekend in European racing...

...Royal Ascot's coming up next week though. Lots of great racing on tap.

[u4ic]

21. I see Mighty Beay is entered

in the King's Stand on Tuesday...I don't know if he is the only North American representative. There was some talk about taking Soaring Free across the pond, but I'm not sure what's happening there.

Full cards are at www.racingpost.co.uk ...you must register to view them, but it's free and no spam. You can also view all Euro horses PP's and pedigrees.

[u4ic]

24. typo...that should be Mighty Beau

[jakefrep]

28. racingpost.co.uk is a great site...

..they even have major stakes results dating back to the late 80's.

[u4ic]

30. It is

my favourite site on the net. The amount of information on there is tremendous.

Have you taken a look through the cuttings library as well?

[u4ic]

20. MOTIVATOR , the Epsom Derby winner

will be skipping the Irish Derby and will opt instead for the Coral Eclipse Stakes, taking on older horses. The last to win both was Nashwan, so he's following in some mighty big hoofprints.

[u4ic]

29. DIVINE PROPORTIONS wins the French Oaks

can anything stop this filly? http://www.sportinglife.com/racing/news/story_get.dor?STORY_NAME=racing/05/06/12/RACING_Chantilly_Diane.html

I hope she makes the trip to the BC this year. I can't wait to see her!

[u4ic]

31. GOLD STRIKE is much the best

and wins the Canadian Oaks.

[Justpat]

32. Was that on the grass or dirt?

What was the purse?

[u4ic]

33. The Oaks is on the dirt

at 9f, and the purse is $500,000. She won by 3 1/2, in 1:51.3. She's also supplemented to the Queen's Plate in a couple of weeks.

Dancethruthedawn won them both a couple of years ago, as did her mom Dance Smartly, in 1991, and only about 4 or 5 years before that, La Lorgnette (dam of Hawk Wing), won the double as well. Fillies in the Plate traditionally don't do as badly as fillies in the Derby.

Randy Schulhofer brought up Ready and Alluring to finish second, Victorious Ami way back in 3rd.

Have you ever been up to Woodbine, Old Broad? It was renovated after I left southern Ontario, and haven't been there since.

[Justpat]

34. I have never been there.

But we are looking at some grass races for a filly we have in
the barn. She is a pretty nice turf filly. She went 1 3/8 in a
Grade 2 last time.She was fourth. That seems to be a bit too far
for her so we were looking for something 1 1/16 - 1 1/8.

They have a few races up there that might suit her.

[jakefrep]

35. Woodbine is an impressive facility

Having the turf course on the outside is unique. I would love to see a big turf race there just to see what it's like. I've been up there a few times for major harness races (North America Cup & Breeders' Crown)- those can be a little difficult to watch since the harness track is the innermost ring.

(I assume you're referring to the track out near Pearson airport, and not Greenwood - "Old Woodbine")

[u4ic]

36. Yes - Greenwood is now a subdivision

I've been there, too, many moons ago.

Last year's Canadian International was a great one, it had a better field than the BC turf (Sulamani won). The Atto Mile is another...both days have a few stakes races on the lawn.

[aaronbees]

37. Ghostzapper retired...

http://www.drf.com/news/article/65855.html

http://news.bloodhorse.com/viewstory.asp?id=28599

fractured sesamoid bone... What a shame, was hoping he, Alex, Roses in May and others would hook up in the BC Classic at Belmont.

[Justpat]

38. Damn.

You should post this as a separate topic.