The Euros Invade for Belmont Invitationals

re: The Euros Invade for Belmont Invitationals

Pedigree Ann — Sat, 05 Jul 2014 21:08:05 GMT

Hey, how often do two races with the same name get run on the same day? At about the same distance? On different continents?

Earlier today (although, of course, it was afternoon for them) at the Belmont Park racecourse in Perth, Western Australia, they ran a Belmont Oaks (listed) for 3yo fillies over 2000m (about 10f). And in about 45 minutes, they will run a Belmont Oaks at the US Belmont Park at 10f. And you thought that Panza pulled the idea out of his hat.[attempted joke]

re: The Euros Invade for Belmont Invitationals

Pedigree Ann — Sat, 05 Jul 2014 18:49:18 GMT

As they were saying on Racing UK, The Fugue dropped too far back off of a moderate pace. So did Kingston Hill. When they sprinted for home, the first flight still had some energy to outsprint them. Pace makes the race.

Verrazano's metier in the States was to run him up in the first flight and slow down the pace if possible then take over and go on, like Mukhadram did today. Wonder why they are trying to make him into an off-the-pace sort?

re: The Euros Invade for Belmont Invitationals

-Keelerman — Sat, 05 Jul 2014 15:35:45 GMT

Pedigree Ann;

I guess Verrazano just isn't a ten-furlong horse. I watched the race this morning, hoping that Verrazano might somehow stay the distance (he is a year older, after all!), but not expecting him to. Even still, it was a bit disappointing to see him tiring as badly as he did at the finish. I guess it's back to a mile for next time.

On a different note, I was very pleased to see Mukhadram win. I liked him a lot in the Prince of Wales's Stakes at Royal Ascot, in which he ran a non-threatening fourth, so it was nice to see him redeem himself so decisively today.

And now that The Fugue has turned in another disappointing effort, I guess it will be back to the winner's circle next time. What do you think? :)

re: The Euros Invade for Belmont Invitationals

Pedigree Ann — Sat, 05 Jul 2014 15:26:16 GMT

You folks may be interested to know that Verrazano's record of failure at 10f remains unsullied, as he finished last in the Eclipse S (G1) at Sandown this afternoon. Truth be told, Sandown's is a stiff 10f, being as the finish is uphill for 2-3f, and Vero just couldn't keep on. They ran a steady, but not quick, pace early and all the closers - The Fugue, Kingston Hill, Night of Thunder - couldn't make up much ground on the horses who were in the first flight early. But they all passed Vero pretty easily and drew away.

re: The Euros Invade for Belmont Invitationals

-Keelerman — Sat, 05 Jul 2014 14:51:07 GMT

Brontexx;

That's a great point about Saratoga -- the prestige of the meet, coupled with its relatively short duration, definitely encourages trainers to have their horses as ready as possible. I think Kiaran McLaughlin will try and get a prep race into Alpha early in the Saratoga meet, then point him toward a defense of his Woodward title. That would be something to see!

JayJay & Secreteriat;

Good luck with your bets this afternoon! I'll be cheering for you!

re: The Euros Invade for Belmont Invitationals

Secreteriat — Sat, 05 Jul 2014 12:42:48 GMT

My P 4 is'

Toast of NY Adelaide W Last Gunfighterb Micromanage W Room Service Excellence W Hidden Vow

$5 P 4 1-4-11 W 1-5 W 2-7 W 12

Good luck all!

re: The Euros Invade for Belmont Invitationals

JayJay — Fri, 04 Jul 2014 21:19:16 GMT

KC’s race looks chalky but I’m looking forward to seeing him run again, coming from the clouds.

It'd be interesting to see Shared Belief run his first race on dirt in the LA Derby. I’m not sure what type of dirt LA has but it doesn’t look like it’s a speedway like SA so maybe it’ll play fair. I do like the Baffert/Garcia combo here and will most likely play their horse to win as a mild upset.

Going to play the P4 at Belmont, really like the field in all 4 races. There’s two horses I like a lot and will play two sets of tickets singling them since they’re both longshots :

$0.50 P4 ( $10.00 )

Belmont Derby Invt'l : I'll use Gala Award (really nice prep race in the Pennine Ridge), Gailo Chop to start my P4. Will add Dance with Fate and Adelaide for my tri and super.

Suburban Handicap : I like Moreno's chances to try and steal this race on the front end that I’ll single him in my P4. If he sets a quick pace, the rest will have a hard time catching up and I don't see any WTC type in this race. I can’t believe he’s 8-1 ML.

Belmont Oaks : Xcellence and Summer Solo for the P4. Will play those two on top of Room Service, My Conquestadory and Wonderfully for my tri and super.

10th : Will use the ML favorites for my P4 12, 9, 6, 2, 3.

My other single is Gala Award. I have a feeling Gala Award will run big and don't want to miss out on the chance of a big P4 payout if he does win.

$0.50 P4 ( $30.00 )

11 / 10, 5, 1, 6 / 4, 2, 7 / 12, 9, 6, 2, 3

re: The Euros Invade for Belmont Invitationals

Brontexx — Fri, 04 Jul 2014 18:03:04 GMT

Alpha and his trainer could have a good meet at Saratoga,but then again his trainer usually has a good meet.The good thing about Saratoga is that its meets comes with an urgency for the humans involved with the horse.They only have 40 days this year to get anything accomplished,as opposed to a track like Calder(now defunct as it was)where it was primarily a claiming track and they meaning the trainers were already committed to stable costs and overhead for a long time but I saw so many horses perform what handicappers call form reversal from one race to another.In my view this so called FR was another revenue source for the trainers.

re: The Euros Invade for Belmont Invitationals

-Keelerman — Fri, 04 Jul 2014 16:20:08 GMT

And of course, with the opening of Saratoga now just two weeks away, I ought to point out that Alpha is back on the work tab at Saratoga and gearing up for a summer campaign. What will can he possibly achieve at the Spa this year? Since his runner-up effort in the 2012 Wood Memorial, Alpha is 0-for-10 when running away from Saratoga -- while never finishing higher than fourth -- and 3-for-4 when running at Saratoga, with victories in the Woodward (gr. I), Travers (gr. I), and Jim Dandy (gr. II). Talk about a horse for the course!

re: The Euros Invade for Belmont Invitationals

-Keelerman — Fri, 04 Jul 2014 16:13:50 GMT

TnT;

Welcome back! I agree that the Suburban seems like it would be a good fit for Will Take Charge, but maybe his connections are passing because it's only a grade II, and they'd rather wait and have a fresh horse for the Whitney.

Speaking of the Whitney, it was reported by DRF.com today that Donn Handicap (gr. I) Lea will miss the Whitney Handicap. That's unfortunate -- I was looking forward to a Palace Malice/Lea/Will Take Charge showdown.

re: The Euros Invade for Belmont Invitationals

TnT — Fri, 04 Jul 2014 13:57:37 GMT

Hey Keerlman.

Been consumed by the Fifa world cup, have not paid much attention to the ponies for a while, then maybe my terrible Kentucky and Belmont days have something to do with it…. lol.

I have always liked Dance with Fate, super horse and great finisher, I think he will be even better on turf. I will used him on top a super in a very open race. That said Adelaide is going to be thought to beat, but I am hoping he does not like the firm . Mr. chop has no Lasix so buyers beware.

Suburban…….going with Norumbega, lots of speed here, taking the fastest closer. WTC should be in this race, for me, he is the best 1 -1/4 horse in the US, no idea why he runs in 1 1/16 and 1 1/8 races.

The Oaks is another hard race, don’t like xcellence on firm, can Flying Jib get the distance ?, I am going to use Wonderfully, poor form in big races, but O'Brien can pick a horse for a course.

I will be watching WC football (soccer), and unfortunatley miss the races. Hoping for a Brazil v Beligum final next week. Cheers.

Oh yeah Kid Cruz all the way.

re: The Euros Invade for Belmont Invitationals

Susan W. — Fri, 04 Jul 2014 09:36:14 GMT

I like Kid Cruz, period! I am hoping he continues his winning ways of late. Another fabulous day of racing at Belmont --- sorry I can't be there but I will be keeping track as much as possible.