By the Moon flaunts her affinity for Big Sandy; speed plays well on main track & inner turf at Belmont

BELMONT NOTEBOOK

A single graded race topped the weekend of racing at Belmont Park.

Bed o’ Roses H. (G3): Jay Em Ess Stable’s homebred BY THE MOON (Indian Charlie) swept to the front nearing midstretch and powered home late in securing a 1 ¾-length winner under the guidance of Jose Ortiz. A horse for the course trainer Michelle Nevin, the four-year-old filly completed seven panels on the fast main oval in a snappy 1:21 4/5.

Track Stats

A total of 47 races were held at the Elmont, New York venue, with favorites winning at a 36 percent rate and the top two betting choices combining for 62 percent of the wins during the week. From 23 races on the main oval, nine animals won in wire-to-wire fashion (39 percent), while five of the 24 grassy races were taken all the way on the lead (21 percent).  

Inside speed was pretty good on the dirt this past week, especially during the early part of it. Of nine wire jobs, seven came in the form of sprint winners and the other in route races.

From five to lead throughout on the turf, four of those occurred on the inner turf at Belmont Park.

Meet Totals

Race:		390
Dirt:		217
Turf:		173
Favorites:		143 (37%)
2nd Choices:		76 (19%)
Turf Wire:		35 (20%)
Dirt Wire:		44 (20%)

HORSES TO WATCH

Wednesday (6/22)

1ST – Todd Pletcher’s BAHAMA HALO (More Than Ready) justified her favoritism in this turf dash with a romp, looking really good visually, and the two-year-old filly likely will be stakes bound next time out. The dark bay is a very nice prospect.

Christophe Clement’s NOBLE READY (More Than Ready) never had a chance with the winner but the first-time starter finished a clear second and could be sitting on a tally next time out.

Thursday (6/23)

2ND – E WARFARE (Bluegrass Cat) could not reel in the wire-to-wire winner but the first timer did well in a clear runner-up performance in a race where they came home pretty fast in the lane. The Thomas Morley-trained three-year-old figures to be tough at this level in her next try.

7^TH – Clement’s MISS CHATELAINE (Pulpit) was well placed and didn’t have the kick to bring in the top pair late, but the four-year-old was only a few heads bobs short and kicked off her 2016 campaign in encouraging fashion. The talented turf performer should be heard from during the second half of this season.

Friday (6/24)

3RD – THREE ALARM FIRE (Pyro) was close to a wicked pace and held on well to miss second by a nose in what we thought was a big showing under Jose Lezcano. The Tom Albertrani trainee will be extremely tough with something like this in his subsequent outing.

5^TH – FRONT (War Front) returns to this list after posting a game turf tally and could be a useful claim for conditioner Phil Serpe if properly placed going forward.

8^TH – TAKE THESE CHAINS (Fastnet Rocket) is now unbeaten from a pair of races and could be any kind going forward for trainer Chad Brown. The three-year-old filly was last early but much the best late, pulling clear under the wire.

Saturday (6/25)

3RD – GRASSADY (Bluegrass Cat) wasn’t given a breather in the sprint but pulled away late, securing a strong maiden win under Luis Saez. The gelded sophomore came home in a solid :24 flat and will be a player against winners with any kind for forward move off this performance.  

9^TH – In case you didn’t take notice, BY THE MOON loves Belmont Park! A Grade 1 and Grade 3 winner from a trio of local outings, the filly also just missed when finishing a neck second in the 2015 Acorn S. (G1). She’s winless from five graded attempts at other ovals.

Sunday (6/26)

4^TH – CANDY FOR KISSES (Candy Ride) was last to the top of the lane and put in a big late run to pass all runners in a smart debut win for conditioner Linda Rice. The three-year-old filly stopped the teletimer in a strong time and could be a nice one going forward.

A Look Ahead

Saturday’s $300,000 Mother Goose S. (G1) is the graded feature this weekend at Belmont Park.