Time and Motion coming on for Toner; sensational weekend of racing ahead at Belmont
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June 8th, 2016
BELMONT NOTEBOOK
There was no graded racing during the weekend at Belmont Park.
Track Stats
A total of 37 races were held at the Elmont, New York venue, with favorites winning at a 40 percent rate and the top two betting choices combining for 46 percent of the wins during the week. From 17 races on the main oval, five animals won in wire-to-wire fashion (29 percent), while one of the 20 grassy races were taken all the way on the lead (5 percent).
The lone winner leading throughout on the lawn came in a sprint on the outer lawn. Horses from off the pace dominated the week of grass racing.
Five led at every call on the main oval – four of those occurring in sprint races.
Meet Totals
|
Races: |
|
254 |
|
Dirt: |
|
141 |
|
Turf: |
|
113 |
|
Favorites: |
|
98 (39%) |
|
2nd Choices: |
|
48 (19%) |
|
Turf Wire: |
|
22 (19%) |
|
Dirt Wire: |
|
28 (20%) |
|
|
|
|
HORSES TO WATCH
Thursday (6/2)
4TH – WIDTH (Blame) attended a fast early pace and impressed in staying on to the wire in a good third-place showing for Christophe Clement. The sophomore miss could be sitting on a win next time with a more advantageous pace scenario.
6TH – OPINED (Bernardini) went long at first asking and finished up well to be a clear third behind a nice duo. The Kiaran McLaughlin trainee has every right to improve and be a major player in her comeback maiden run.
7TH – SARATOGA DREAMER (Elusive Quality) took command at the top of the lane and cruised home to a fine score off the long layoff for Clement, showing no signs of rust in the turf test. The four-year-old colt went swiftly early and never tired, hinting he may be in line for a solid second half of this season.
Friday (6/3)
1ST – RANDOM WALK (Super Saver) broke well from the tricky rail post in his debut and led throughout for conditioner Richard Violette. The two-year-old colt ran fast and was widening his edge in the lane, indicating he could be a real nice one.
7TH – ZIPPITY ZOOM (City Zip) confronted the clear leader in early stretch and put that one away inside the final furlong en route to a 3 ¾-length victory with Jose Ortiz in the silks. Trainer Linda Rice has the filly going very well right now and we will continue to back her in this cycle.
Saturday (6/4)
3RD – ACHNAHA (Haatef) reeled in a clear one inside the final furlong and looked good pulling away late under Javier Castellano. The five-year-old mare has shown big improvement since stretching out to marathon trips and should be back with stakes foes in her comeback.
Sunday (6/5)
3RD – Group 1 hero FULL MAST (Mizzen Mast) made a fine impression in his U.S. debut, returning off the layoff for trainer Bill Mott and driving home a clear winner beneath Joel Rosario. The four-year-old colt overcame a slow break to be much the best in the turf test and could be a major player this summer in New York.
6TH – DAY AFTER DAY (Noonmark) was very sharp with a fine maiden tally at first asking, and since trainer Michael Hushion is so dangerous second time out, we envision this sophomore filly will be formidable in her return.
8TH – We thought it was fitting that trainer Jimmy Toner saddled the winner of a race named after perhaps the best horse he has ever conditioned, with TIME AND MOTION (Tapit) capturing the Wonder Again in nice fashion. The three-year-old filly has now ripped off a trio of wins in succession and will be graded stakes bound before long.
A Look Ahead
A monstrous program will take place on Saturday at Belmont Park, led by the $1.5 million Belmont Stakes (G1). Eight additional graded races will take place on the sensational day of racing: the $1.25 Metropolitan H. (G1); $1 million Manhattan S. (G1); $1 million Ogden Phipps S. (G1); $700,000 Just A Game S. (G1); $700,000 Acorn S. (G1); $500,000 Woody Stephens S. (G2); $300,000 Poker S. (G3) and $300,000 Jaipur S. (G3).
Friday will play host to the $500,000 New York S. (G2) and the $250,000 True North H. (G2).
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