Suburban Handicap GI

Rising Moon is chomping on the bit to get to the winners circle. We have all-important confirmed distance ability as Rising Moon won going longer last year over the track. In addition we get second off layoff form with the ability to track a soft pace. This horse is well meant in a field of afterthoughts. This will be the play of the day.

Belmont Park Race 9

Win #5 Rising Moon

Stats

28 4-4-2
strike rate 14%
cumulative return $55.80
$2 ROI $1.99

The Elmont Stakes 28 June 2008

The town of Elmont is always complaining that Belmont is a bad neighbor. Has Elmont ever did anything for NYRA? Besides having the local residents exhaust the water pressure on Belmont stakes day, Elmont does little to nothing for it's neighbor. While Belmont contributes millions a year to the local tax base Elmont can only complain about Belmont. To further highlight the one way nature of the Elmont-Belmont relationship, NYRA has honored Elmont with its own glorious stakes race while the town of Elmont continues to besmirch NYRA.

Stormy relationship aside the Elmont Stakes looks like a cut and dried affair. The residents of Elmont can rejoice in the fact that both chalks are completely dominate in every way in this race. #1 I lost My Choo drops from open graded stakes races to face New York bred restricted 3 year olds, the cutback in distance should have this one strong and stout in the lane, just like the demand for Newports and malt liquor is strong and stout in Elmont.

The other filly with open stakes credentials is #7 Remarkable Remy who is third off layoff and blitzed a older field last time while pressing a very fast pace. Remy was sharp them and should be sharp today. This looks like a stout cold 1/7 exacta box. Perhaps a trifecta play of 1,7 / ALL / 1,7 may be in order as well.

Play Of The Day 27JUN

Belmont Park Race 2

Not much speed in race 2 and True Resurgence has plenty. this horse seems to hate synthetic tracks and today he returns to dirt. Could be big balloons at Belmont race 2.

Win 6 True Resurgence

stats

27 4-3-2
strike rate 15%
cumulative return $55.80
$2 ROI $2.07

26 June Play of The Day

Belmont Park Race 5

#6 West Of Gibraltar should be able to track this pace overwhelm the pace and have plenty to hold off the deep closers. Proved that she is better than these by winning going shorter, winning on the dirt and holding on for the place going 9 panels. The German bred even money chalk benefited by a hot pace last out, think we can beat her here.

W#6
Play of the Day Stats

26 4-3-2
strike rate 15%
cumulative return $55.80
$2 ROI $2.15

Santa Anita To Overhaul Surface

Santa Anita has decided to completely overhaul it's dirt surface over the summer. Pro-Ride has been selected as the vendor to replace the inoperative Cushion Track surface which was faster than a greased slip and slide and collected water more efficiently than a swimming pool. We have no idea what this new surface will be like as it will be the first installation for this vendor in the Untied States in a racetrack enviroment. Pro-Ride had previously tinkered with the failed Cushion Track surface and made that completely inoperative surface, serviceable. With the Breeders Cup just five months away it is scheduled for a track with no surface. The big day of races hinge on a unknown surface and the pressure is on to complete the project on time.

Jose Lezcano Is Amazing

It is almost a miracle that Jose Lezcano survived the tenth race at Monmouth on the 21st of June. After his mount was checked into the rail on the far turn he lost the irons and back flipped onto the dirt head first and bounced off the ground before violently crashing back down to the dirt. His mount was unhurt and continued on without him. It was a horrendous looking incident considering which part of his body first contacted the ground combined with the amount of speed and force. As I watched the race I thought that Lezcano surely cracked open his skull, broke his back, broke his neck or was possibly killed. I was truly worried for his life and was looking forward to hearing about him walking sometime in the next year. Surely a horrific accident like this would have him out of action for months if not forever.

To my surprise Lezcano walked away from the incident. Instead of recovering at home or recovering in a hospital bed he decided to ride the next day. Sometimes a bad accident will leave a jockey shaken and they will ride conservatively to avoid hurting themselves. Instead of riding safe, to my surprise Lezcano won no less than six races on Sunday. If you are able to catch the replay of the tenth race at Monmouth on the 21st of June watch it. Surviving this incident and posting six wins the next day, makes Lezcano one of the most amazing athletes in the world.

Where Will Curlin Run? Lawyers Confident In Obtaining a New York License

All that remains between Curlin running on the turf is a turf workout in a few days. Then the next question is where will he will run? Team Curlin has their sights on both the Man O' War at Belmont and the Arlington Handicap. Both races are run on a wide turf course and not a seven furlong bullring like the one at Churchill or many other one mile tracks. The fly in the ointment is a report that surfaced indicating that Curlin would not be able to run in New York due to licensing issues. Former stablemate Einstein was forced to run in Kentucky due to this very issue. However a new report indicates that Jackson's lawyers are confident that Curlin will be able to run in New York. Hopefully the lawyers and bureaucrats can clear up the red tape and sort out the issues.

Licensing issues aside it looks like the Man O' War is the preferred race for Curlin. First the 500k purse is significantly higher that the Arlington 200k purse. Secondly the Man O' War is over the sweeping Belmont turf course which has more of a wide, sweeping international camber than the tighter Arlington turf course. Thirdly the Man O' War is a well established grade I while the Arlington Handicap is a only a grade III. Finally the Man O' War is a weight for age event while the Arlington race has weights assigned by the track handicapper. Curlin could end up giving weight to experienced graded stakes turf horses if he is Chicago bound.

The Man O' War was Secretariat's first turf race, it would be fitting that Curlin begins his French raiding ambitions in a race won by the original big red. The Belmont turf course is the largest in the States and would be the closest experience to running at Longchamp.

Saturday 21Jun Power Play Of The Day

Belmont Race 9 New York Handicap GII
Tejida is the clear speed in a short field. Was only getting 1 lb from Mauralakana when they finished in a photo. Today Tejida gets 7 lbs and gets the benefit of the speed favoring Belmont inner turf. Keying on Tejida today at a much better price.
W #5 Tejida

stats

25 4-3-2
strike rate 16%
cumulative return $55.80
$2 ROI $2.23