BELMONT 5/13/23
RACE 2- TURF ONLY
4- SOULMATE- Hasn’t won since taking a 50k claimer going 1 1/16 miles on the grass here in September of ’21. However, he was then raced out of conditions in his next seven races on this circuit, as he didn’t earn enough money- 16.5K- for his win in a 1x allowance on the Penn National turf in 2020 to lose the 1x allowance condition in NY, keeping him eligible for a 1x allowance in NY. Despite running against better competition than he had to, he did run the best race of his career when beaten a neck going this seven furlong trip on this turf course in a 2x optional claimer last summer. Was finally put in the right spot when last raced going 1 1/16 miles on the turf at Aqueduct in a 1x allowance in November, where he saved ground, was slightly steadied in mid stretch, but had no finishing kick to finish 9th. Returns off the six month break in this 1x allowance at seven furlongs on the turf and this is probably his best distance. Although he hasn’t been too much the winning type, he has run a bunch of races in defeat that should he run back to would make him very tough in here. Is in the right situation to run one of his better races and is a strong threat today.
Exotics with-
A- 5- Three Zero, 9- Ohtwoohthreefive
B- 3- Elusive Edge, 8- Bold Journey
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RACE 8- TURF ONLY
4- KING MOONRACER- Was in good form last summer when running well in defeat in turf sprints against starter allowance runners, including a few when not having the best of trips. Had to be slightly steadied when a horse went down inside of him in upper stretch when 3rd in a starter allowance going 5 1/2 on the grass in August at Saratoga, where he would be placed 2nd via DQ. Got bothered at the start, steadied into the far turn and lacked a rally in the stretch when 7th at that same trip and level on a day when horses stayed 1-2 throughout in both turf sprints 9/3. Throw out the off the turfer in his next start and then was run too long at this state bred 1x allowance level when weakening in the stretch going one mile on the turf at Aqueduct when last raced in November. Gets back to turf sprinting in this state bred 1x allowance at six furlongs and the six month freshening likely did this gelding good. Came off a similar layoff last year to run one of his best races of his career when beaten a neck in a starter allowance and although that race was seven furlongs, he’s fine going six. Should return ready for Weaver and is a big factor in here.
Exotics with-
A- 7- Twenty Six Black, 9- Starquist
B- 2- Athenry, 3- Power Attack
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RACE 9
4- CANDY MAN ROCKET- Came off nearly a one year layoff to easily handle a field of optional claimers going six furlongs at Gulfstream in January, before following that up with a sharp score in the Gulfstream Sprint going the same distance one month later. Got run off his feet early to fall back further than he wants to be and never factored when last of ten in the Grace 3 Count Fleet Sprint going six furlongs at Oaklawn in latest 4/15. Has trained well since that race, so all appears to be fine with him and he ran well in his only race at Belmont going this trip, where he was beaten a nose when nailed on the line by BEREN in the Gold Fever in May of ’21. Runs his best when in close range from the get go and an expected return to that kind of trip today makes him a serious danger in the Grade 3 Runhappy.
Exotics with-
A- 2- Beren, 5- Stage Left
B- 1- Drafted
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RACE 11- TURF ONLY
2- NEVER PERSONAL- Chased in second and stopped turning for home when finishing last of six in a filly state bred Sp. Wt. going five and a half furlongs on the turf in first career start last August at Saratoga. Finished with a mild outside run in 7th place finish at the same level going six furlongs on the grass at Aqueduct in second start in late October. Apparently had a physical issue and was essentially eased when dropped to a state bred 40k maiden claimer going one mile on the dirt in latest run in January. Has been given some time since then and she’ll get back on the grass in this 40k state bred maiden claimer at six furlongs for her return. Showed a little life in her only two turf sprint starts. while running against better than she’s facing here and she is in a good spot to factor in the finale.
Exotics with-
A- 8- Ma Mi Jo Dreams, 12- Linarite
B- 4- George’s Vice, 6- Irish Empress
