Belmont Park Insider

WE'VE MOVED!!!

2009-11-08T10:48:00.000-08:00

Please follow us at our new address -- www.nyracinginsider.com!

Consensus for Game 6 -- The Yankees!!

2009-10-24T11:42:00.000-07:00

Thursday night's debacl...uh, game, notwithstanding, we knew we would find no shortage of New York Yankee fans among the horsemen and jockeys here at Belmont Park. It is New York Showcase Day, after all. And with South Bronx winning the third race (we are not making this up), who could possibly argue with them? Besides Andy Serling? Check it out below.

Separated at birth?

2009-10-23T10:06:00.001-07:00

Sometimes, weird stuff occurs to us here at Insider.

Like the following comparison:

Hall of Fame trainer D. Wayne Lukas and superstar fashion designer Karl Lagerfeld...separated at birth?

(Perhaps betraying our lack of fashion sense, we think Lukas's classic blazer and matching tie and pocket square are the better look, but we understand that Lagerfeld is at the cutting edge of French fashion. Also the desire to compare them probably stems mostly from the sunglasses/suntan combo.)

We also came up with a couple of others...

There's veteran New York reinsman Richard Migliore (photo by the talented Sarah K. Andrew) and golfer Jim Furyk:

There's jockey/teen heartthrob Channing Hill and Gossip Girl star/teen heartthrob Chace Crawford

Now, we suspect you can do us one better, so please post comparison ideas of your own in the comments and we'll update with photos for the best suggestions.

Belmont Park at sunset

2009-10-18T16:38:00.000-07:00

Still cold and windy, but the sun appeared briefly at the end of the race day Sunday and produced this glorious sunset, as seen from the roof of the building. Beautiful Belmont Park, indeed!

Neither rain, nor wind, nor gloom of night...*

2009-10-18T12:21:00.000-07:00

We had some Nor'easter type conditions at Belmont Park during the latter half of the week and the bone-chilling dampness was at its height on Sunday. While there was no turf racing all weekend, business otherwise continued pretty much as usual around here, which is a testament to all the folks who work behind the scenes to make the racetrack go.

Trainers, exercise riders, grooms, hot walkers, NYRA employees and others simply put on their wet weather gear and went about their daily jobs. We snapped a few pictures this morning and this afternoon at the track and created the slide show above. While we're not to be deterred by a little wind and water, we are looking forward to next week's forecast, which calls for sunshine and temperatures in the 60s!

*Okay, we mucked with the Postal Service motto a little in the title of this post.

Rain, rain, go away...

2009-10-15T13:35:00.000-07:00

Weather is usually ignored at Belmont Park because horse racing is one of the few sports to have proven virtually impervious to it. Sometimes, however, even the best turf course is up against it.

The New York Metropolitan area met the first breath of winter Thursday, and it was an awful big breath, as the temperature dipped into the mid-40's and the rain came down and wasn't scheduled to stop until, well, it wasn't scheduled to stop.

The Belmont turf course held up nicely through eight races on Thursday's nine race card, but the racing office decided to move the Grade 3, $100,000-added Athenia for fillies and mares from Saturday, October 17, to Wednesday, October 21, rather than card a strong grass race that scratches down to a few main-track-only runners. This helps make sure the fans have a good race to bet on and the integrity of the Athenia is protected.

The fourth race on Saturday now becomes the feature, and it is a strong allowance featuring Biker Boy, who came back recently with a solid second in his first start since running fourth last April in the Grade 1 Carter. Also lined up are 2007 Pennsylvania Derby winner Timber Reserve, Honour Devil, Unbridled Danger, Gold Trippi and Hunting.

It should still be a great weekend of racing at Belmont Park, and for railbirds who like to see the horses firsthand in the post parade, there's a very nice umbrella for sale in the Clubhouse gift shop.

Bye Bye Bird(ie)

2009-10-11T12:06:00.000-07:00

It's a sad day here at Insider. You see, Summer Bird is flying West tomorrow. He's off for California and the Breeders' Cup first thing Monday morning and while we can't wait to watch him run at Santa Anita next month, we've gotten pretty used to having him around. His barn (both in Saratoga and here at Belmont) has been a regular stop on our morning tour on and off since May and this horse is an impossible habit to break.

Lucky for us, trainer Tim Ice plans to come back next year and bring the Bird with him, so this isn't so much "goodbye" as it is "see you later." Until then...we've made a video tribute to our morning routine. Enjoy!

1 and 1A. Forever.

2009-10-10T11:05:00.000-07:00

Big excitement at Beautiful Belmont Park this morning! In addition to the usual pre-race day schooling session in the paddock we also bore witness to a white wedding, courtesy of TLC's "Four Weddings," which filmed part of an episode here today.

The lucky couple, Nicole and Rob, got hitched at the center of the paddock surrounded by a small wedding party with curious onlookers (including Andy Serling) flanking the saddling - er, "altar" - area. For the full story you should probably watch the show, but here's a little amateur footage - with commentary! - from the crew here at Insider to tide you over in the meantime.

Lukas seeking pot of gold with Dublin

2009-10-09T10:39:00.000-07:00

It was shocking to find out this summer that Hopeful winner Dublin was the first Grade 1 winner for Hall of Fame trainer D. Wayne Lukas since Folklore in 2005. Had it really been that long between big scores for the most dominant trainer of the past 50 years?

You look at the man’s career accomplishments in list form, and they are an embarrassment of riches — four Kentucky Derbys, five Preaknesses, four Belmonts, more champions than most trainers have stakes winners — and, yet, in recent years he appeared more of a presence than genuine force.

At 74, Lukas has mellowed like smooth Kentucky bourbon. While still a great raconteur, he used to be a far fierier competitor. It’s tempting to see him as the lion in winter, but with a handful of eager new owners and some old reliables who never lost the faith, Lukas is reinvigorated and his barn has been clicking.
Much of that has to do with Dublin, who runs Saturday in the Grade 1 Champagne Stakes and has Lukas dreaming again of a blanket of roses in May.

This makes us like Dublin a lot. No one is a better source of great stories around Triple Crown time than Lukas. Even when he doesn’t have a horse in the series, he is the go-to guy on the backstretch for the best quotes.

Picture the coverage racing would receive with Lukas in the mix with a top-shelf 3-year-old. It would be a better comeback story than Michael Jordan’s. Picture him in New York for the Belmont Stakes with a chance to win the Triple Crown. Lukas has that kind of feel about Dublin, and, even in October, it gets the blood flowing.

“This is what all of us are in the profession for — to have a nice 2-year-old,” Lukas said this week of Dublin. “This is what makes you enjoy the sport so much, the speculation that you may have “the one.”

What more reason would any racing fan need to tune in tomorrow to the Champagne?

Christophe and the Arc

2009-10-04T11:12:00.000-07:00

In our travels this morning, we happened to find ourselves in the office of trainer Christophe Clement just moments before the start of the Prix de l' Arc de Triomphe. Clement --whose brother Nicolas trained Suamarez to win the 1990 edition of Europe's premier grass contest at Longchamp -- was settling in to watch the race and invited us to stay. Aren't we glad we did!

Not only were we treated to a running commentary on the race by one of America's best turf trainers, Clement also offers unique perspective as a native of France with a racing legacy in that country dating back to his grandfather, who owned racehorses, and his father, a sucessful trainer.

We really enjoyed watching the race with him and we hope you enjoy the video - apologies for the poor quality of the TV picture though.

Wake Up, Sleepy Bird!

2009-10-04T10:47:00.000-07:00

Summer Bird takes a well-deserved nap the morning after his gutsy victory over Quality Road in the Jockey Club Gold Cup before waking up to relish some well-deserved treats!

School's in Session

2009-10-01T14:59:00.000-07:00

Thursday morning was a busy one underneath that massive 180-year-old white pine in the Belmont Park paddock as a phalanx of contenders for Super Saturday were put through their paces beginning at 11:30 a.m. For the Jockey Club Gold Cup, Quality Road was a complete pro for trainer Todd Pletcher, while Dry Martini let his personality shine as he looked inquisitively about. And finally, Gio Ponti, who's going for his fifth straight Grade 1 in the Joe Hirsch Turf Classic Invitational, looked regal as ever during his tour of the paddock. Good luck to all!

The Look of Eagles

2009-09-30T11:57:00.000-07:00

"About the head of a truly great horse there is an air of freedom unconquerable. The eyes seem to look on heights beyond our gaze. It is the look of a spirit that can soar. It is not confined to horses, even in his pictures you can see it in the eyes of the Bonaparte. It is the birthright of eagles."
--John Taintor Foote

Summer Bird has it, for sure! Check out this photo of his paddock schooling session for the Jockey Club Gold Cup here Wednesday afternoon. And when the call to the post rang out for the third race, he was practically dancing with anticipation. (NYRA Photo)

You can watch a short video of the schooling session here:

Busy Busy Busy

2009-09-26T12:07:00.001-07:00

It was a busy morning here as no less than 10 contenders for Super Saturday's five Grade 1 stakes made the work tab. Belmont Stakes and Shadwell Travers winner Summer Bird positively glistened on track for his final tune-up for the Jockey Club Gold Cup, after which trainer Tim Ice -- growing a goatee, we see! -- chatted with NYRA's Eric Donovan. (And we threw in a snippet of the last part of Quality Road's work, because he looked awesome, too!!)

Nobody at Aqueduct but us chickens...

2009-09-25T12:52:00.000-07:00

Actually, Friday's visit to Aqueduct found the place buzzing with activity, mostly of the horse/human variety, but we liked these chickens, too.

And we caught up with Gary Contessa, Rick Dutrow and Rick Violette - all of whom may be based at Aqueduct, but certainly can't be left out of Belmont-related discussions. All three trainers seemed excited about 2-year-olds who have started or will start here in New York.

Dutrow is pleased with last weekend's Grade 2 Futurity winner D' Funnybone, while Violette's Worstcasescenario is dealing with some minor foot issues following her eighth-place finish in the Grade 2 Matron. Meanwhile, Contessa is excited about the pair he's entered in Sunday's NY-bred stakes. Read more in today's Belmont Park notes and the advance for the state-bred races.

We're looking forward to a great weekend of racing here at Belmont and starting to get really psyched about Super Saturday on October 3 with Quality Road and Summer Bird meeting again in the Jockey Club Gold Cup and Gio Ponti returning to the turf in New York in the Joe Hirsch Turf Classic Invitational. More on all that to come!

No Beans About It

2009-09-24T08:37:00.000-07:00

Today's clever name belongs to an as-yet-unraced 2-year-old residing in Barclay Tagg's barn.

Here's ... Well Excuuuze Me.

Our first thought was that the owners had to be huuuuge Steve Martin fans. Turns out that they are, but that’s not exactly how the colt got his name. It’s because, well, um … we’ll just let owner Michael McGuire of Sure Thing Stable explain.

“There are other reasons we came up with the name,” said McGuire. “His dam is Pardon My Sarong, which is where excuse me comes from. But before he came to the racetrack, he had a couple of bouts of colic, and, well, with the colic, he had a lot of gas. After $10,000 worth of colic surgery, we just decided to have some fun with it. Plus, knowing how [track announcer] Tom Durkin can get very dramatic with his calls, like he did with Arrrrr, that’s what we came up with.”

Well Excuuuze Me is just about ready for the races, and Tagg has him penciled in for a one-mile maiden race on the Widener Turf on Super Saturday, October 3 here at beautiful Belmont Park. One thing we know for sure – he won’t run out of gas. (Ouch).

Autumn Bird

2009-09-19T09:42:00.000-07:00

On a spectacular fall-like morning at Belmont Park, Summer Bird had his penultimate work for the October 3 Jockey Club Gold Cup, covering five furlongs in a spritely 1:00.05 with Hall of Fame jockey Kent Desormeaux up. Trainer Tim Ice was ecstatic over the work (but not nearly as ecstatic as when he and his wife, Heather, welcomed their first child, Carson James, on Tuesday) and gave it an A+. So did we!

Return of the Champ

2009-09-18T14:31:00.000-07:00

2008 Eclipse Champion Midshipman made a successful return to the races at Belmont Park today, his first start since winning last year's Breeders' Cup Juvenile. The Godolphin 3-year-old handled his first trip over a conventional dirt surface like, well, a champ!

Will dance for shellfish

2009-09-17T12:32:00.000-07:00

Today's clever name belongs to a 2-year-old we plan to watch closely going forward.

Meet Shrimp Dancer:

Shrimp Dancer (By Kitten's Joy out of Formal Dancer) is trained by David Donk and owned by William Bloom. After making his first start in the mud at Saratoga, Donk moved the colt to the turf, where he ran third despite a troubled trip at the Spa on August 31. Today, he broke his maiden at Belmont in style, drawing clear to win by 1 1/4-lengths on the grass.

With a name like Shrimp Dancer, we just had to ask. (Especially after entertaining half-baked theories based on his breeding: "He's by Kitten's Joy...the dam is Formal Dancer...and...kittens dance for shrimp?")

Obviously we were wrong, but the colt's trainer was happy to set us straight. Dancer does indeed come from the dam side, but shrimp comes straight from the owner.

"We were bouncing around some names and the Jockey Club rejected a couple and finally we came up with this," Donk said. "Bill Bloom [founded] Eastern Seafood Co., which is one of the largest shrimp importers in the country."

Not just the country -- according to the company website, Eastern Seafood is "one of the world's largest importers and marketers of shrimp." (Also note the shrimp in their logo.)

And there you have it. Dance on, Shrimp Dancer.

Clever horse name for Wednesday

2009-09-16T10:43:00.000-07:00

Introducing a new feature here at Belmont Insider - Clever horse name of the hour/day/week/month...basically as often as a name catches our eye.

To be fair, this girl has been on our radar for some time. Meet Edition Farm's Ouchy Night:

Ouchy Night is a 3-year-old filly trained by Tom Bush. She's by Cactus Ridge, out of Minetonightsfirst.

Get it? We think her name is pretty genius and were reminded how much we like it because she ran in Belmont's first race today, finishing fifth. We think she's a fitting ambassador for our new feature and while her name is obviously a clever combination of her dam and sire, when we come across an interesting name without a clear origin, we'll check it out. Suggestions welcome!

As promised...CATS!

2009-09-16T09:46:00.000-07:00

Continuing the "other animals on the backstretch" theme, here are some photos of our feline friends:

These two belong to trainer Carl Domino. The gray cat acts more like a dog and comes running to greet visitors, but his black and white companion shuns attention. More after the jump!

Can you spot the difference between Godolphin's marmalade tabby (top) and Todd Pletcher's (bottom)?

The first time we saw this cat was the day we snapped this photo and, like a lot of backstretch cats, he's not too keen on interaction with people. Given his perch though, maybe that's a good thing. Test area tresspassers, beware.

Full disclosure: this photo is from Saratoga. Proof positive that everyone reads Indian Charlie

Opening Day

2009-09-07T13:08:00.000-07:00

There's free admission opening weekend at Belmont Park, beginning Friday. First race post time is 1 p.m., which means there's no official "Party at the Park" but that doesn't mean you can't make your own!!"