Big Brown gallops, Tomcito out of Belmont Stakes,

TrotmanTrotman Senior Member
edited June 2008 in Horse Racing Forum
Big Brown gallops, Tomcito out of Belmont Stakes


BIG BROWN AT BELMONT PARK ON SUNDAY

Dual classic winner Big Brown galloped on Sunday at Belmont Park under regular exercise rider Michelle Nevin, who confirmed the quarter crack on the undefeated Boundary colt’s left front hoof will be fitted on Monday with an acrylic and fiberglass patch.

“He was very cheeky,” Nevin said of Sunday’s gallop. “He had a basic gallop again today. He felt good. He knows something is going on because all these people are around him all the time, clapping for him in the grandstand.”

Big Brown is slated to breeze on Tuesday in his final serious drill in preparation for the 1 1/2-mile Belmont Stakes (G1) on June 7.

Trained by Richard Dutrow Jr. for owners IEAH Stables and Paul Pompa Jr., Big Brown won the Kentucky Derby Presented by Yum! Brands (G1) by 4 3/4 lengths on May 3 at Churchill Downs and the Preakness Stakes (G1) by 5 1/4 lengths on May 17 at Pimlico Race Course.

Trainer Dante Zanelli said Peruvian dual classic winner Tomcito will not contest the Belmont due to an unspecified “reaction.”

“It’s very depressing,” Zanelli said.

Peter Pan Stakes (G2) third-place finisher Ready’s Echo breezed five furlongs in 1:00.91 on the training track at Belmont. The move was the fifth fastest of 14 timed workouts at the distance. Trainer Todd Pletcher was pleased with the drill and said the More Than Ready colt is on target for the Belmont.

Peter Pan Stakes winner Casino Drive galloped in company with stablemates Spark Candle and Champagne Squall. A half brother to the previous two Belmont Stakes winners—Rags to Riches (2007) and Jazil (‘06)—Kentucky-bred Casino Drive won the Peter Pan by 5 3/4 lengths in his North American debut.

Trained by Kazuo Fujisawa for owner Hidetoshi Yamamoto, Casino Drive’s daily routine includes walking the shedrow briskly for an hour, exercising on the track, and another hour walking the shedrow.

“We really try to pick his feet up,” said Nobutaka Tada, a spokesperson for the owner and trainer. “We want him to be ready, so when he turns it on, he will be strong.”

Tada said Spark Candle will not run in the Belmont and will instead make his next start in the $100,000 Hill Prince Stakes (G3) on Friday.


It will be the biggest betting day in Belmont Park history.

Why?

Because NYRA has decided to close Belmont Park on the day after, June 8.

Talk about a radical move.

They have been racing at Belmont Park for more than 100 years, and never - but never! - did they shut down on a weekend day in order to to clean up from the previous day.

Yes, Churchill Downs traditionally shuts down on the day after the Derby.

But New York?

Fact is Belmont will operate live racing only four days - next Wednesday thru Saturday - over a nine-day period.

What gives here?

June 7 will be a great- especially from races six thru 11. Four of those races will be Grade 1 stakes; the other two Grade 2 stakes. There will be a $1
million guaranteed Pick 6 on races 6 thru 11, and a $1 million guaranteed Pick 4 on races 8 thru 11.

This is how the six races shape up at this point in time:

Race Six

(The $250,000, Grade 2 True North Handicap, 3 and up, six furlongs)

Dubai Sprint winner Benny the Bull, owned by Big Brown's people, will be favored. The competition will include Abraaj, Thor's Echo, Man of Danger, Starforaday and Storm in May.

Race Seven

(The $400,000, Grade 1 Just A Game, f&m; 3 and up; one mile on the Widener)

Wide open race will feature Lady of Venice, Sharp Susan, Bit of Whimsy, Bayou's Lassie, Criminologist, Ventura, Vacare, Danzon and Spenditallbaby. Dreaming of Anna is on the bubble.

Race Eight

(The $250,000, Grade 2 Woody Stephens; 3-year-olds, seven furlongs)

This race, formerly the Riva Ridge, will attract Hopeful winner Majestic Warrior, Silver Edition from Team Lukas, J Be K, Ling Ling Qi, Fidelio, Fatal Bullet, Motovato and True Quality.

Race Nine

(The $250,000, Grade 1 Acorn; 3-year-old fillies; one mile)

With Kentucky Oaks winner and division leader Proud Spell currently on vacation at Fair Hill, and waiting for the Mother Goose three weeks later, the field will include Game Doc A, Game Face, Zaftig Dance Gal Dance, and maybe Indian Blessing.

Race 10

(The $400,000, Grade 1 Manhattan; 3-up; 10 furlongs on inner turf)

Trainer Frankel has Proudinsky primed for this. The competition will include Einstein, Cougar Bay, Better Talk Now, Dancing Forever, Mission Approved, Out of Control, Stream the Gold and Stalingrad.

Race 11

(The $1 million, Grade 1 Belmont Stakes; 3-year-olds; 12 furlongs)

Trainer Pletcher announced Thursday that he will run Ready's Echo, rather than Behindatthebar, at the 1-9 Big Brown. Casino Drive and Denis of Cork will be the second and third choices. Tale of Ekati, Ichabad Crane, and Anak Nakal will complete the projected field.
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