Belmont Park

SEA FOAM the quickest out of the starting gate, albeit by a slim martin, vied for command right from the get-go, emerged at the head of the backstretch, engaged one on one with VENTUS, saw the runner up re-join the pace dispute at the five-eighths pole, by this juncture with himself along the inside route, successully defended the top, got cued up spinning into the lane with a revved-up POTAMAC challenging in earnest, met that bid, edging away to what turned out to be his largest advantage by the beginning of the final furlong, squandered a good chunk of that lead in the final sixeenth as a resurgent POTAMAC closed in, but held on well enough long enough to preserve the decision. POTOMAC the outermost of a trio contending for the top on the chute, was eased back for a respite, inched up and resumed its pace-pressing duties at the five-eighths pole, went about the task from the three path, drew up to look the winner in the eye coming up to the quarter pole, got set down spinning onto the head of the stretch, was seemingly shaken off during the ensuing furlong, staged a good comeback the final sixteenth, fell short. MO GOTCHA stayed along the inside after the field had been sent on its way, was pulling on the bit tracking the front runners for the opening half, settled down when switched over to a light hand ride at the commencement of the run around the bend, paused before slipping past a now-weakening VENTUS at the five-sixteenths pole, got driven towards the path four entering the stretch, proved no match. SHADOW RIDER took a few strides to get going after bobbling at the start, sat parked out four wide, shifted or drifted into path seven during the stretch run, lacked a response after being the widest of all throughout. VENTUS disputed the pace primarily stationed in the two path, doing so from between rivals on the chute and then later on at the top of the turn, appeared through as three-quarters was being completed, slid over to the inside to cut the coner into the lane, was allowed to fade away under a protective hold.

NO MANS LAND two to three wide through the opening bend, tracked the pace two to three wide from mid pack, came under coaxing at the five-sixteenths, angled four to five wide into upper stretch, rallied to issue a challenge through the final furlong taking command a sixteenth out, then inched away to the wire kept to task. SEA MAST tracked the pace along the inside, remained patiently handled until roused cutting the corner into upper stretch, tipped out to the three path a furlong from home and offered up a mild kick to just get up for the place honors in the final jump to the finish. OVERBOLD established the front and showed the way in hand along the inside, got joined by a pair to the outside and faced little pressure save from their presence until midway on the far turn, came under coaxing knocking heads with those rivals five-sixteenths from home, cut the corner into upper stretch, shook away drifting slightly to the two path a furlong out, dug in under threat to the outside and was collared at the sixteenth marker, then got nailed for the place honors on the wire. UNCLE ARTIE two to three wide through the first turn, raced four wide down the backstretch until tucked inside half a mile from home, came under coaxing at the five-sixteenths, cut the corner into upper stretch and offered up a mild bid. BETTER TAPIT hesitated at the start getting away slow and conceding three to four lengths to the front, tracked the pace along the insdie from near the rear, came under a ride at the five-sixteenths, swung three wide into upper stretch and offered up a mild bid. TOLAGA BAY bumped after the start by AZZEDINE who broke inwards, raced three wide in pursuit from near the rear, came under a ride five-sixteenths from home, angled six wide into upper stretch, kept on through to the finish but was outkicked. CREATIVE GENIUS two to three wide in pursuit forwardly placed, came under coaxing at the five-sixteenths between foes knocking heads for command, spun just off the inside for home, got shaken off straightened away and weakened. THE MORMON MAULER three to four wide through the first turn, chased four then three wide from just off the pace, got coaxed along three furlongs out, went five wide into upper stretch and weakened. AZZEDINE (FR) brushed the near side stall at the start then bumped TOLAGA BAY shortly after the start, raced four to five wide through the first turn a bit rank against the rider's restraint, was well off the inside seven to eight paths down the backstretch and pulled his way to knock heads with the leader, tucked three wide half a mile from home, vied outside a pair through the far turn, went four wide into upper stretch and tired.

MAJID established control soon after the start, got set up along the inside route, carved out the pace with ALWAYSMINING only applying light pressure to the outside, got set down approaching the quarter pole with some of the others having been called upon for more themselves, ventured onward alternating between the inside route and the two path, depending on whichever side stick work was being utilized by the rider, mustered up good determination to turn back the threesome in hot pursuit, crossing the wire in path two. STILL DREAMING tracked the winner from the pocket, got let out as third fraction was being finalized, shifted into the two path for entrance into the stretch, drafted behind MAJID for a little while before re-tucking along the rail, was the innermost of a trio in pursuit of the top one down the lane, traded leans with ALWAYSMINING with under a furlong to go, being struck left handed at the time with the aforementioned foe likewise being struck, but from the opposite side, came out in a more steady fashion in deep stretch, inducing ALWAYSMINING to shy to the outside too, eventually leading that opponnt to get brushed and pinched back, finished off the last few jumps to be the second to cross the finish line. GRUMPS LITTLE TOTS reserved in path two until the half mile pole, tipped one path farther off the rail at that station, ranged up towards the front runners, was set down angling four wide into the stretch, was the outermost of a threesome attempting to cut into the deficit, got held off, made light contact with ALWAYSMINING in the shadow of the wire, due to pressure originating from STILL DREAMING. ALWAYSMINING stalked the winner from the two path, came under a ride turning into the lane, found himself between rivals at the commencement of the stretch run, wasn't getting to the top one but still putting up a good fight to salvage the show when herded to the outside by STILL DREAMING, ultimating getting squeezed out his best stride a short distance from the end. OUTSHINE spotted along the rail in short order, was put to a brisk hand ride moving into the two path past the three-eighths pole, swuing five wide, the widest of all, into the stretch, failed to fire appreciably. Following a Stewards' Inquiry focusing on the stretch drive, in addition to a claim of foul lodged by the rider of ALWAYSMINING against the rider of STILL DREAMING, the latter was disqualified from second and placed fourth for causing interference. An objection lodged by the rider of ALWAYSMINING against the rider of GRUMPS LITTLE TOTS alleging interference was not allowed.

RUSHING FALL coaxed from the gate, established the front and showed the way in hand three then two wide, had DADDY IS A LEGEND range up outside midway on the turn and came under coaxing at the five-sixteenths in response, spun just off the inside for home, shook away a furlong out before edging clear to the finish kept busy to the wire. BEAU RECALL (IRE) settled unhurried at the tail of the field three wide loosely behind the cover of ENVIRONS, tucked to the two path half a mile from home, came under encouragement nearing the five-sixteenths, angled six wide into upper stretch and closed well outside to get up for the place honors in the final jumps. DADDY IS A LEGEND settled three wide in closest aim of the leader behind her cover down the backstretch, remained three wide into the far turn as that foe tucked to the two path and advanced once in the clear to latch on to the outside, got put to coaxing five-sixteenths from home applying pressure for the initial time, swung three wide into upper stretch, dug in under a drive running on through to the finish getting shaken off by the top one, tipped out a path with a sixteenth to go and was nailed for the place honors in the last jumps. BELLAVAIS tracked the pace just off the inside in the clear as the rest of the field staked claims in the three path to the outside, tucked inside half a mile from home, came under coaxing three furlongs out, spun just off the inside into upper stretch, offered up a mild bid but was outfinished in the late stages. ENVIRONS (GB) three then two wide in pursuit from near the rear behind the cover of CAPLA TEMPTRESS down the backstretch, came under coaxing at the five-sixteenths, angled four to five wide into upper stretch, dug in under a drive offering up a mild bid but was outfinished. CAPLA TEMPTRESS (IRE) settled three wide in pursuit down the backstretch just off the pace behind the cover of DADDY IS A LEGEND, tucked to the two path half a mile from home, came under coaxing three furlongs out, went three wide at the head of the stretch, dug in under a drive, was forced to pause being briefly taken in hand a sixteenth out when failing to angle out in response to DADDY IS A LEGEND angling out in front and was outkicked to the finish.

MIDNIGHT BISOU away in good order, responded when put to mild hand encouragement to inch up towards COME DANCING, loosely drafted behind that opponent before sliding over to the rail nearing the conclusion of the backstretch, sat patiently pocketed on the turn, was forced to wait behind the previously-mentioned rival with a few jumps to spare before quarter pole, espied an escape route to the outside coming up to the head of the stretch, eagerly angled into it and was fed her cue, responded almost instantaneously to take charge by the eighth pole, extended the winning margin, fed a steady diet of light stick work in the area of the right shoulder to stay on course. COME DANCING rushed up to the front end after stumbling at the break, had control by the top of the backstretch, led the others, placed at a slight distance from off the rail and pulling a bit on the left side, made it to the quarter pole and was turned loose, succumbed when challenged by MIDNIGHT BISOU in the general area of the three-sixteenths pole, stayed on to secure second. MOPOTISM off the inside throughout, pursued the front runners from path three on the turn, commenced the stretch one path farther off the rail, closed in on the runner up in the last eighth, but fell short of the place. ESCAPE CLAUSE prompted the leader from the two path, going about her business from between rivals on the turn, stepped into the stretch and gave way. PACIFIC WIND rapidly set up in the two path, got ridden into path six heading for the three-sixteenths pole, lacked the needed response.

WORLD OF TROUBLE coaxed from the gate, established the front assuming a safe advantage before being put to a light hold while four paths off the inside, tucked to the two path half a mile from home and showed the way still safely in front through swift splits, swung three then two wide into upper stretch, got roused straightened away, dug in under tepid threat a furlong out before shaking away once more holding well to the finish to prevail. OM chased just off the inside from just off the pace, tucked inside half a mile from home, came under coaxing at the five-sixteenths, spun just off the inside into upper stretch, closed well along the inside to secure the place honors. DISCO PARTNER three wide in pursuit down the backstretch, tucked inside half a mile from home, came under coaxing three furlongs out, angled four wide into upper stretch, offered up a mild kick to be along for the show honors. BELVOIR BAY (GB) four wide in pursuit down the backstretch in closest aim of the leader, tucked to the two path half a mile from home, came under a ride five-sixteenths out, swung three wide for home, offered up a mild bid to the eighth pole, then weakened in the late stages. DIAMOND OOPS coaxed from the start, chased five then four wide before tucking three wide through the turn, got ridden along at the three-eighths, angled five wide into upper stretch, kept on through to the finish. DIRTY just off the inside in pursuit from the tail of the field, tucked inside half a mile out, came under a ride three furlongs from home, spun just off the insdie into upper stretch and was outkicked. WILD SHOT six paths off the inside down the backstretch, angled to the two path half a mile from home, came under urging at the three-eighths, cornered three wide into upper stretch and weakened.

GUARANA away without apparent mishap, worked out a tuck into the two path midway on the backstretch, kept watch on the ongoing pace dispute within striking distance, lightly hand urged on the turn, inched her way to SERENGETI EMPRESS as three-quarters was bneing rattled off, was on near even terms with that opponent when called upon for more stepping onto the head of the stretch, emerged at the eighth pole in charge, drew off smarty under good handling. SERENGETI EMPRESS was gathered by the pilot after coming in sharply at the start, showed the way on a narrow lead, under constant pressure, with the eventual winner being the final one to contend with, was set down turning into the lane, relinquished coming up to the furlong grounds, chose to abandon the inside route after the top one briefly settled along it herself, wound up towards path four late, held on with willingness securing second. JELTRIN took the inside route in pursuit of the front runners, left the half mile pole having been switched over to a hand ride, was maneuvered six wide after entering the stretch, rallied for the show. CE CE four wide ono the turn, exiting it from the same one under a hard drive, kept pace with the front runners before weakening in the final sixteenth. QUEEN OF BEAS took up the chase three to four wide, was moved out six to seven wide during the stretch run, made no headway. PROUD EMMA gradually made her way to the rail on the backstretch, getting there by the half mile pole, brought up the back of the pack for nearly six furlongs, got sent five wide after stepping into the stretch, made no impact. BELL'S THE ONE chased the pace from the two path, between rivals for a good portion of the opening six furlongs, was asked for more in the viciniy of the five-sixteenths pole, failed to respond and backed away. COOKIE DOUGH disputed the pace primarily from the two path to the five-sixteenths marker and gave way. FANCY DRESS PARTY sighted three wide at the top of the turn, was spotted one path farther off the rail at the head of the stretch, had little left and retreated.

HOG CREEK HUSTLE settled just off the inside in pursuit from near the rear, raced just off the inside into the turn before tipping to the four path half a mile from home, came under light coaxing at the three-eighths and began a steady advance outside angling to swing seven wide into upper stretch, had the rider take a peak down to the off side and came inwards forcing MIND CONTROL to check off his heels in the vicinity of the three-sixteenths, offered up a good finish to close stoutly along the outside taking command seventy yards from the finish under threat himself from NITROUS, dug in rebuffing that rival to the wire. NITROUS saved ground at the tail of the field, came under coaxing at the three-eighths, angled out to swing five to six wide into upper stretch, offered up a good finish to charge home late in concert with the aforementioned foe, overthrew the leader inside the sixteenth marker but ultimately missed at the end, fended off by a neck. BORRACHO three wide in pursuit from mid pack, came under coaxing at the five-sixteenths, swung three to four wide into upper stretch, closed well threading himself through some loose traffic to get up for the show honors in the final jumps. STRIKE SILVER hustled from the gate, established the front shortly after the start and showed the way in hand just off the inside through swift splits, tucked inside at the nine-sixteenths, came under coaxing five-sixteenths from home, spun just off the inside into upper stretch, dug in under threat drifting out slightly when applied a near sided rein a furlong out minorly herding HONEST MISCHIEF before repelling that rival, then got collared by a trio with seventy yards to go. WENDELL FONG forwardly placed three then two wide in aim of the leader, got ridden along with five-sixteenths remaining, swung four then three wide into upper stretch and weakened in the late stages. HONEST MISCHIEF coaxed from the gate, chased along the inside early on before tipping to the two path, tipped out once more five furlongs from home to be three wide, came under coaxing at the five-sixteenths, angled five wide into upper stretch, dug in rallying to issue a challenge near the eighth pole and was minorly herded at that station as STRIKE SILVER came out under a near sided rein, got repelled by that rival growing leg weary and weakened in the late going. MUCH BETTER broke in at the start and was corrected, chased along the inside until tipped three wide into the turn, came under a ride five-sixteenths from home, swung five wide into upper stretch and weakened in the late stages. MIND CONTROL leaned on the off side stall as the latch was sprung and stumbled at the start getting away near the tail of the field, chased six paths off the inside down the backstretch before tucking three to four wide through the turn coming under coaxing five-sixteenths from home, angled six wide into upper stretch, was forced to check off the heels of HOG CREEK HUSTLE as that rival came in near the three-sixteenths, made no headway through the final furlong. LANDESKOG just off the inside in pursuit from just off the pace, got pushed along at the five-sixteenths, angled four wide into upper stretch and weakened. LEXITONIAN four to five wide down the backstretch, tucked to the two path then to the inside into the turn, came under coaxing three furlongs from home, swung three wide into upper stretch and made no impact. COMPLEXITY chased along the inside in range of the front coming under coaxing at the three-eighths, retreated through the latter portion of the turn and spun just off the inside for home, then folded in the stretch. There was a Stewards' Inquiry focusing on the incident between HOG CREEK HUSTLE and MIND CONTROL in upper stretch prior to the result standing and the race being declared official.

MITOLE gathered after coming out with his initial step, was soon disputing the pace matched up with COAL FRONT, stationed in the two path, struck the front continuing to be held in reserve as six furlongs was being reached, was in the general area of the three-sixteenths marker before being put to a drive, drifted slightly heading home thereafter but dug in gamely to fend off all challengers. MCKINZIE guided over to the inside shortly after the start, became the third in line along that route when THUNDER SNOW secured the pocket coming up to the conclusion of the backstretch, bided time during the run around the bend, began to inch his way to the outside as three-quarters was being completed, however having gotten caught behind a wall of equines, was about three wide at the commencement of the stretch run, still lacking room of any of sort with which to launch a rally of his own, checked when in close proximity to the heels of THUNDER SNOW just inside the eighth pole, was then steadied a few strides later when beaten to position by the same opponent, angled into a firm fit on path two right afterwards, attaining racing clearance for the first time during the stretch drive, kicked in willingly when given his cue, split foes late and got up for the place. THUNDER SNOW (IRE) a forward factor in the two path during the initial stages, scooted into the pocket as the second split was being finalized, stayed within striking distance, found himself stuck behind foes late on the bend, shifted into the two path in upper stretch and was asked for run, was content to take up the chase drafting behind the top one, altered twice attempting to attain a clear lane of his own, first into path three leaving the eighth pole and then back to the inside approximately a sixteenth later, gained the desired room after the latter maneuver, ventued onward willingly to earn the show award. PROMISES FULFILLED procured a prominent position after stumbling at the start, sat forwardly placed three wide, prompting the pace, was put to a drive for the drive home, weakened in the final furlong. FIRENZE FIRE reserved two to three wide, between opponents for a good portion of the journey on the turn, swung four wide into the lane, made no headway after being set down. PAVEL travelled three wide on the turn, got sent out into path six during the initial portion of the stretch becoming the widest of all, made no impact. COAL FRONT lightly urged out of the gate to establish the top, was along the inside disputing the pace with the winner, got headed despite getting set down at the quarter pole, remained in contention for the next furlong before giving way. TALE OF SILENCE two wide onto the turn, went four wide exiting it, had no response. PRINCE LUCKY strung out four wide and under some urging on the turn, was one path farther off the rail at the top of the lane, gave way.

BRICKS AND MORTAR settled three wide in mid pack, came under coaxing at the five-sixteenths, angled five wide into upper stretch, offered up a good kick to take command a furlong from home, edged away under a drive kept to task to the wire. ROBERT BRUCE (CHI) broke a half a beat slow, settled unhurried under rating just off the inside in mid pack, came under coaxing at the five-sixteenths, swung three wide at the quarter pole, offered up a mild kick to chase the winner home and secure the place honors. RAGING BULL (FR) allowed to settled just off the inside near the rear of the field, remained patiently handled while given some rein to work with three furlongs from home, came under a ride at the five-sixteenths, cornered four wide into upper stretch, kicked on belatedly to secure the show honors. CHANNEL MAKER three wide through the first turn, settled just off the pace four then three wide, advanced in tandem with BANDUA on the leader midway on the far turn, swung four wide into upper stretch, dug in offering up a mild bid to the eighth pole, then got outfinished in the late stages. CHANNEL CAT three wide in pursuit from near the rear, came under a ride five-sixteenths from home, angled five to six wide at the quarter pole, improved position by tired rivals in the final eighth. BANDUA established the front early on and showed the way just off the inside, before being displaced by QURBAAN six and a half furlongs from home, waited patiently as that rival shook away midway down the backstretch tracking just off the inside, advanced through the far turn in tandem with CHANNEL MAKER to issue a challenge through the latter portion of the bend, swung two to three wide for home, dug in under a drive taking narrow and brief command just outside the eighth pole, then weakened through the final furlong. OLYMPICO (FR) two to three wide in pursuit from the tail of the field, came under coaxing three furlongs from home, went seven wide into upper stretch and offered no response. QURBAAN hard held along the inside early on, tipped to the two path into the first turn and advanced on the leader, went five paths off the inside into the backstretch pulling on the bit and took over the front six and a half furlongs from home, crossed to the two path spurting away from the field briefly before entering the far turn, came under growing threat from an advancing pair to the outside midway on the turn and was placed to coaxing in response, cut the corner into upper stretch, dug in yielding near the eighth pole, then weakened through to the finish. CATCHO EN DIE (ARG) two to three wide in pursuit early on just off the top pair, came under light coaxing tucking inside half a mile from home, rode the hedge through the far turn, spun just off the inside into upper stretch and tired.