Great Racing at Belmont

[TJ]

What a super card of top tier racing at Belmont Park this Saturday. The GRI Beldame starts it off as 3YO Princess Sylmar takes on her elder, Royal Delta for bragging rights. The GRII Kelso Invitational is next with Graydar returning off a long layoff due to injury (removed a chip in his ankle). The GRI Vosburg Invitational bringing yet another 3YO forward to face his elders in Forty Tales. Next up the GRI Flower Bowl Invitational and another up and coming 3YO filly will try the best of her division taking on older, her name is White Rose. The GRI Joe Hirsch Turf Classic Invitational featuring Little Mike attempting a return to his prior good form? Finally the featured race of the Super Saturday card The GRI Jockey Club Gold Cup Invitational...with two 3YO's, Orb and Palace Malice going deep, while being pitted against the best older horses on the east coast. Six great Graded Stakes to look forward to. The PP's are below each race. (the numbers are post positions not program numbers, the Past Performance's should change to the betting program numbers usually by Friday). ESPN Classic will carry full coverage 4:30-7:30 eastern time. Have fun, TJ

5th Race. (C7) Approx Post 3:09PM STAKES
THE BELDAME INVITATIONAL (Grade I)
Grade I - $400,000
Purse $400,000 (Up to $48,000 NYSBFOA) One Mile And One Eighth
FOR FILLIES AND MARES THREE YEARS OLD AND UPWARD.
1 Roman Invader(L) B.m.6 123 Alvarado, J Dunn, C Jacobson, David
2 Princess of Sylmar(L) Ch.f.3 120 Castellano, J King of Prussia Stable Pletcher, Todd
3 And Why Not(L) B.f.4 123 Saez, L Groves, H Matz, Michael
4 Royal Delta Dk B/ Br.m.5 123 Smith, M Besilu Stables Mott, William
5 Centring(L) B.m.5 123 Maragh, R Darley Stable Albertrani, Thomas
6 Lady Cohiba(L) Ch.f.4 123 Ortiz, Jr., I Live Oak Plantation Clement, Christophe
http://www.brisnet.com/php/bw_pdf_viewe ... 2013-09-28

6th Race. (C6) Approx Post 3:41PM HANDICAP STAKE
THE KELSO INVITATIONAL (Grade II)
Grade II - $400,000
Purse $400,000 (Up to $48,000 NYSBFOA) One Mile
A HANDICAP FOR THREE YEAR OLDS AND UPWARD.
1a Easter Gift(L) B.c.4 116 Smith, M LaPenta, R Brown, Chad
2 Graydar(L) Gr/ro.c.4 120 Prado, E Twin Creeks Racing Stables Pletcher, Todd
3 Praetereo(L) Gr/ro.h.5 114 Alvarado, J Drawing Away Stable Jacobson, David
4a Jackson Bend(L) Ch.h.6 118 Castellano, J LaPenta, R Gold, Stanley
5 Hymn Book(L) Dk B/ Br.g.7 116 Velazquez, J Janney, III, S McGaughey III, Claude Blk-On
6 Souper Speedy(L) B.c.4 115 Lezcano, J Live Oak Plantation Albertrani, Thomas
7 Brujo de Olleros (BRZ)(L)Ch.h.5 115 Garcia, A Santulli, R Mettee, Richard
http://www.brisnet.com/php/bw_pdf_viewe ... 2013-09-28

7th Race. Approx Post 4:13PM STAKES
THE VOSBURGH INVITATIONAL (Grade I)
Grade I - $400,000
Purse $400,000 (Up to $48,000 NYSBFOA) Six Furlongs
FOR THREE YEAR OLDS AND UPWARD.
1 Forty Tales(L) B.c.3 122 Castellano, J Perretti Racing Stable, LLC Pletcher, Todd
2 Justin Phillip(L) Dk B/ Br.h.5 124 Velazquez, J Zayat Stables, LLC Asmussen, Steven
3 Bahamian Squall(L) Dk B/ Br.c.4 124 Saez, L Dizney, D Fawkes, David
4 Strapping Groom(L) Ch.h.6 124 Alvarado, J Drawing Away Stable Jacobson, David
5 The Lumber Guy(L) Gr/ro.c.4 124 Luzzi, M Schwartz, B Hushion, Michael
6 Palace(L) B.c.4 124 Velasquez, C Miuccio, A Rice, Linda
7 Candyman E(L) Ch.g.6 124 Bravo, J Kuehne Racing Mareina, Michael
8 Private Zone(L) B.g.4 124 Pedroza, M Good Friends Stable O'Neill, Doug
http://www.brisnet.com/php/bw_pdf_viewe ... 2013-09-28

8th Race. (C9) Approx Post 4:45PM STAKES
THE FLOWER BOWL INVITATIONAL (Grade I)
Grade I - $600,000
Purse $600,000 (Up to $58,000 NYSBFOA) One Mile And One Quarter (Inner Turf)
FOR FILLIES AND MARES THREE YEARS OLD AND UPWARD.
1a Tannery (IRE)(L) B.f.4 121 Castellano, J Santulli, R Goldberg, Alan
2 Mystical Star(L) B.m.5 119 Alvarado, J Cheyenne Stables, LLC Clement, Christophe
3 Somali Lemonade(L) B.f.4 119 Saez, L Forgason, C Matz, Michael
4 Valiant Girl (GB)(L) B.f.4 119 Ortiz, Jr., I Oppenheimer, A Motion, H. Graham
5 Kissable (IRE)(L) B.m.5 119 Smith, M Three Chimneys Racing Attfield, Roger
6 Qushchi (GB)(L) Dk B/ Br.m.5 119 Prado, E Stone, A Motion, H. Graham
7a Laughing (IRE)(L) B.m.5 123 Lezcano, J Santulli, R Goldberg, Alan
8 White Rose(L) Gr/ro.f.3 115 Velazquez, J Ballis, J Mott, William
http://www.brisnet.com/php/bw_pdf_viewe ... 2013-09-28

9th Race. (C10) Approx Post 5:17PM STAKES
THE JOE HIRSCH TURF CLASSIC INVITATIONAL (Grade I)
Grade I - $600,000
Purse $600,000 (Up to $58,000 NYSBFOA) One Mile And One Half (Widener Turf)
FOR THREE YEAR OLDS AND UPWARD.
1 Nutello(L1) B.c.4 126 Lezcano, J Wertheimer Et Frere Motion, H. Graham
2a Imagining(L) Ch.h.5 126 Velazquez, J Phipps Stable McGaughey III, Claude
3b Big Blue Kitten(L) B.h.5 126 Bravo, J Ramsey, K L & S K Brown, Chad
4 Slumber (GB)(L) B.h.5 126 Alvarado, J Juddmonte Farms Mott, William
5b Real Solution(L) B.c.4 126 Garcia, A Ramsey, K L & S K Brown, Chad
6 Twilight Eclipse(L) B.g.4 126 Castellano, J West Point Thoroughbreds Albertrani, Thomas
7a Boisterous(L) Dk B/ Br.h.6 126 Velazquez, J Phipps Stable McGaughey III, Claude
8b Joes Blazing Aaron(L) Ch.g.5 126 Maragh, R Ramsey, K L & S K Maker, Michael
9 King Kreesa(L) Dk B/ Br.g.4 126 Ortiz, Jr., I Kresa, G Englehart, Jeremiah
10 Little Mike(L) B.g.6 126 Smith, M Vaccarezza, P Romans, Dale
http://www.brisnet.com/php/bw_pdf_viewe ... 2013-09-28

10th Race. (C11) Approx Post 5:49PM STAKES
THE JOCKEY CLUB GOLD CUP INVITATIONAL (Grade I)
Grade I - $1,000,000
Purse $1,000,000 (Up to $70,000 NYSBFOA) One Mile And One Quarter
FOR THREE YEAR OLDS AND UPWARD.
1 Ron the Greek(L) B.h.6 126 Lezcano, J Brous Stable Mott, William
2 Orb(L) B.c.3 122 Castellano, J Janney, III, S McGaughey III, Claude
3 Last Gunfighter(L) Dk B/ Br.c.4 126 Maragh, R Gunther, J Brown, Chad
4 Vitoria Olimpica (BRZ)(L)Ch.c.4 126 Ortiz, Jr., I Stud TNT Pletcher, Todd
5 Alpha(L) B.c.4 126 Bravo, J Godolphin Stable McLaughlin, Kiaran
6 Flat Out(L) B.h.7 126 Alvarado, J Preston Stables Mott, William
7 Palace Malice(L) B.c.3 122 Smith, M Dogwood Stable Pletcher, Todd
8 Cross Traffic(L) Gr/ro.c.4 126 Velazquez, J Goldmark Farm Pletcher, Todd
http://www.brisnet.com/php/bw_pdf_viewe ... 2013-09-28

[ct2346]

Its possible I've been asleep for awhile. But why did I think the Vosburgh was run at 7f?

I agree it is a super card.

[TJ]

Its possible I've been asleep for awhile. But why did I think the Vosburgh was run at 7f?

I agree it is a super card.

Hi ct,
You're right....it was 7F since 1963, they changed the distance to 6F in 2004. TJ

[TJ]

What a super card of top tier racing at Belmont Park this Saturday. The GRI Beldame starts it off as 3YO Princess Sylmar takes on her elder, Royal Delta for bragging rights. The GRII Kelso Invitational is next with Graydar returning off a long layoff due to injury (removed a chip in his ankle). The GRI Vosburg Invitational bringing yet another 3YO forward to face his elders in Forty Tales. Next up the GRI Flower Bowl Invitational and another up and coming 3YO filly will try the best of her division taking on older, her name is White Rose. The GRI Joe Hirsch Turf Classic Invitational featuring Little Mike attempting a return to his prior good form? Finally the featured race of the Super Saturday card The GRI Jockey Club Gold Cup Invitational...with two 3YO's, Orb and Palace Malice going deep, while being pitted against the best older horses on the east coast. Six great Graded Stakes to look forward to. The PP's are below each race. (the numbers are post positions not program numbers, the Past Performance's should change to the betting program numbers usually by Friday). ESPN Classic will carry full coverage 4:30-7:30 eastern time. Have fun, TJ

The 3YO Princess of Sylmar got her bragging rights over the old champ Royal Delta.
Graydar returned to the races at a reduced distance to compensate for time off after he had chips removed from his ankle....if he came out of this one OK, everone better watch out in the BC Classic.
Forty Tales was up against it from the time of entry trying to get 6 furlongs against this group...follow this one in his next, shouldn't get beat at 7 or a mile.
White Rose didn't make much sense with the steep step up in class and distance, but I figured Mott knew what he was doing...she was in over her head for sure, but has ability...expect her to get back on track next out.
I was happy to see Little Mike return to his prior good form, I expected to see it last time he ran but guess the Dubai debacle was still lingering. Mike Smith took advantage of the "Rabbit" (Joes Blazing AAron) and turned the tables on that three prong Ramsey entry trying to run him into the ground. Always like to see such tactics backfire in their faces:>)
Finally the JCGC...pretty puzzling result, yet a very explosive and impressive win for Ron The Greek. When he's in the mood to run he's tough to beat. Funny thing about it, Mott didn't want to run in here...he was thinking of turning him into a miler, but the owners asked to run one more time at the distance and Mott went along with them. The pace of the race was changed after Cross Traffic stumbled badly at the start missing the break. I hope Orb, who bobbled at the break and finished last, is okay?
Tune in next week for the GR I Champagne and a preview of the 2014 Derby winner:>) TJ

[Sailor Kenshin]

That was one awesome card. Any word on Orb?

[TJ]

That was one awesome card. Any word on Orb?

Hi Sailor,
How ya been? No mention of Orb's physical condition after the race, other then this quote from Jockey Javier Castellano, who rode Orb for the first time, said his horse was empty....“Past the five-eighths pole he didn’t want to be any part of the race,” Castellano said. “He was just flat.” TJ

[Sailor Kenshin]

That was one awesome card. Any word on Orb?

Hi Sailor,
How ya been? No mention of Orb's physical condition after the race, other then this quote from Jockey Javier Castellano, who rode Orb for the first time, said his horse was empty....“Past the five-eighths pole he didn’t want to be any part of the race,” Castellano said. “He was just flat.” TJ

Hey there! Thanks for the word from Orb,s rider. Guess we just wait and see.