Oct 28, 2017
Francesca Le Donne Photo
Belmont Park Notes 10.28.17
by NYRA Press Office
- BC Turf Sprint entrant Disco Partner in good order; next stop Del Mar
- Final Breeders' Cup works for Brown's brigade
- Diversify fires bullet as BC Classic decision looms near
- Firenze Fire puts in maintenance work toward BC Juvenile
Patricia A. Generazio's multiple graded stakes winner Disco Partner breezed four furlongs in 50.72 seconds over Belmont Park's main track in his final work ahead of next Saturday's $1 million Breeders' Cup Turf Sprint at Del Mar.
"It was a slow work by design," said trainer Christophe Clement. "I thought he looked well. He was moving very well and sound. He came back in great shape from the work and rolled around in the pen afterwards. He just ran in October so he's very fit. He doesn't need to do much, only stretch his legs and to keep him happy."
Winning the Belmont Turf Sprint Invitational on October 7 at six furlongs in his most recent start, Clement said he is not worried about having to cut back to five furlongs for the Breeders' Cup Turf Sprint and he doesn't consider Disco Partner's lack of experience over the Del Mar grass as a hinderance, either.
"I'm pretty excited to see him run in California," said Clement. "He loves firm turf and he's got plenty of speed. At the end of the day, he's got the world record for going six furlongs. We've been taking him back when he goes six or seven [furlongs] and we won't have to do that here. We can just let him roll. I don't think we'll be on the pace either, but that's perfectly okay."
Set to ship to California on Tuesday, Disco Partner will be joined by stablemate and fellow graded stakes winner Pure Sensation, also owned and bred by Generazio. The 6-year-old homebred son of Zensational is unraced since capturing the Grade 3 Turf Monster at Parx on September 4 and breezed last Monday going three furlongs in 36.98 seconds on the main track.
"It's fun to have two competitive horses in the race," said Clement. "When I first started training, for 15 years, people said I could only train mile-and-a-half turf fillies. Now, the other day I heard someone say I could only train turf sprinters; so, I thought great, I must have forgot how to train the other type. Next, I'd like to be known as a trainer who can only train on the dirt going long, so hopefully we can get more of those horses in the barn."
Rounding up Clement's Breeders' Cup contingent is graded stakes-placed filly Best Performance. Owned by West Point Thoroughbreds, Tango Uniform Racing and Robert Masiello, the juvenile filly began her career on the dirt, finishing second in the Grade 3 Schuylerville this summer at Saratoga Race Course, before switching to the grass, where she's recorded back-to-back runner-up finishes on the turf in the Juvenile Fillies at Kentucky Downs and Grade 3 Miss Grillo in her two most recent starts.
By Broken Vow, Best Performance is pre-entered for the $1 million Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies Turf on Friday.
"She's actually doing fabulous," said Clement. "She had a really good work on the dirt on Monday and she's come out of it very well. She had a great day this morning. I'm very excited about her. I think she's a nice filly on the dirt, it's just that one day I worked her on the turf in Saratoga and she was so spectacular on the firm going, I told the owners it'd be nice to try her on the grass. I don't think she's bad on the dirt. We'll run in the Breeder's Cup and bring her back next spring on the dirt, if anything. She's very versatile."
* * *
Trainer Chad Brown's Breeders' Cup contingent put in their final works on Saturday at Belmont Park before shipping out to Del Mar.
Beach Patrol and Fanciful Angel worked in company for the third time in 13 days, with the duo going five furlongs in 1:02.54 on the inner turf track. Both are pointed towards the $4 million Longines Breeders' Cup Turf on November 4.
Brown will be looking for his first Turf victory and has a strong contender in Beach Patrol, who is coming off back-to-back Grade 1 victories in the Arlington Million on August 12 and a five-length score last out in the Joe Hirsch Turf Classic on September 30.
Fanciful Angel ran second behind Beach Patrol in both of those races, which marked his first two North American starts. The 5-year-old Irish-bred registered triple-digit Beyer Speed Figures in both of those efforts.
All three of Brown's expected entrants in the $2 million Filly & Mare Turf on November 4 worked Saturday. Lady Eli, who ran second in last year's edition when it was contested at 1 ¼ miles at Santa Anita, will now compete at 1 1/8 miles at Del Mar, a distance in which she is 3-for-3 in her career.
Lady Eli breezed five furlongs in 1:01.19 in company with Irish-bred Roca Rojoon the inner turf. Lady Eli has compiled three straight graded stakes victories, capturing the Grade 1 Gamely, the Grade 1 Diana and the Grade 2 Ballston Spa last out on August 26 at Saratoga. The 5-year-old has put herself in contention for an Eclipse Award as champion turf female.
Dacita, also expected for the Filly & Mare Turf, breezed four furlongs on the main track in 49.34 seconds in company with Uni, with the first quarter-mile going in 24 4/5 seconds, according to NYRA clockers. The Chilean-bred Dacita, who is 10-5-1 in 20 career starts, won the Grade 1 Beverly D. on August 12 at Arlington before running second in the Grade 1 Flower Bowl on October 8 at Belmont.
Grand Jete, the third expectant entry in the Filly & Mare Turf, breezed in company with New Money Honey, going five furlongs in 1:01.79 on the inner turf.
Practical Joke put in a four-furlong breeze in 49.44, preparing for the $1 million Las Vegas Dirt Mile on November 3. The winner of the Grade 1 H. Allen Jerkens on August 26 at the Spa breezed in company with Favorable Outcome on Big Sandy, with the duo going the first quarter-mile in 24 4/5 seconds.
Significant Form worked four furlongs in 50:02 seconds on the inner turf course, going in company with Rymska. Significant Form, who won her graded stakes debut in the Grade 3 Miss Grillo on October 1, will now make her Grade 1 debut in the $1 million Juvenile Fillies Turf on November 3.
Carina Mia worked solo in preparing for the $1 million Filly & Mare Sprint, breezing four furlongs in 49.44 on the main track. The Grade 2 Gallant Bloom runner-up was caught going 25 2/5 seconds for the first quarter mile and out five furlongs in 1:01 3/5 seconds.
Paulassilverlining also put in her last work before the Filly & Mare Sprint, also going four furlongs on the main track. In company with Jamyson 'n Ginger, Paulassilverlining went 49.65 seconds, with the first quarter-mile in 24 2/5 seconds and the gallop out in 1:02.
Working towards his first career win, Good Magic put in an impressive five-furlong breeze on the main track, going 1:01.67 with an opening quarter-mile in 25 3/5 seconds. The Curlin colt is set to run in the $2 million Sentient Jet Juvenile on November 4 following back-to-back runner-up efforts to start his career, including last out in the Grade 1 Champagne on October 7 at Belmont.
Voting Control put in his last work before the $1 million Juvenile Turf on November 3, going four furlongs in 49.76 seconds on the main track in company with Bricks and Mortar. A winner in his debut, Voting Control, a Kitten's Joy colt, was second in the Grade 3 Pilgrim on September 30.
Separationofpowers, on target for the $2 million 14 Hands Winery Juvenile Fillies after winning the Grade 1 Frizette on October 8 at Belmont, breezed five furlongs in 1:02.31 on Big Sandy. The daughter of Candy Ride has two career wins sandwiched around a third-place finish in the Grade 1 Spinaway on September 2.
Beach Patrol and Fanciful Angel worked in company for the third time in 13 days, with the duo going five furlongs in 1:02.54 on the inner turf track. Both are pointed towards the $4 million Longines Breeders' Cup Turf on November 4.
Brown will be looking for his first Turf victory and has a strong contender in Beach Patrol, who is coming off back-to-back Grade 1 victories in the Arlington Million on August 12 and a five-length score last out in the Joe Hirsch Turf Classic on September 30.
Fanciful Angel ran second behind Beach Patrol in both of those races, which marked his first two North American starts. The 5-year-old Irish-bred registered triple-digit Beyer Speed Figures in both of those efforts.
All three of Brown's expected entrants in the $2 million Filly & Mare Turf on November 4 worked Saturday. Lady Eli, who ran second in last year's edition when it was contested at 1 ¼ miles at Santa Anita, will now compete at 1 1/8 miles at Del Mar, a distance in which she is 3-for-3 in her career.
Lady Eli breezed five furlongs in 1:01.19 in company with Irish-bred Roca Rojoon the inner turf. Lady Eli has compiled three straight graded stakes victories, capturing the Grade 1 Gamely, the Grade 1 Diana and the Grade 2 Ballston Spa last out on August 26 at Saratoga. The 5-year-old has put herself in contention for an Eclipse Award as champion turf female.
Dacita, also expected for the Filly & Mare Turf, breezed four furlongs on the main track in 49.34 seconds in company with Uni, with the first quarter-mile going in 24 4/5 seconds, according to NYRA clockers. The Chilean-bred Dacita, who is 10-5-1 in 20 career starts, won the Grade 1 Beverly D. on August 12 at Arlington before running second in the Grade 1 Flower Bowl on October 8 at Belmont.
Grand Jete, the third expectant entry in the Filly & Mare Turf, breezed in company with New Money Honey, going five furlongs in 1:01.79 on the inner turf.
Practical Joke put in a four-furlong breeze in 49.44, preparing for the $1 million Las Vegas Dirt Mile on November 3. The winner of the Grade 1 H. Allen Jerkens on August 26 at the Spa breezed in company with Favorable Outcome on Big Sandy, with the duo going the first quarter-mile in 24 4/5 seconds.
Significant Form worked four furlongs in 50:02 seconds on the inner turf course, going in company with Rymska. Significant Form, who won her graded stakes debut in the Grade 3 Miss Grillo on October 1, will now make her Grade 1 debut in the $1 million Juvenile Fillies Turf on November 3.
Carina Mia worked solo in preparing for the $1 million Filly & Mare Sprint, breezing four furlongs in 49.44 on the main track. The Grade 2 Gallant Bloom runner-up was caught going 25 2/5 seconds for the first quarter mile and out five furlongs in 1:01 3/5 seconds.
Paulassilverlining also put in her last work before the Filly & Mare Sprint, also going four furlongs on the main track. In company with Jamyson 'n Ginger, Paulassilverlining went 49.65 seconds, with the first quarter-mile in 24 2/5 seconds and the gallop out in 1:02.
Working towards his first career win, Good Magic put in an impressive five-furlong breeze on the main track, going 1:01.67 with an opening quarter-mile in 25 3/5 seconds. The Curlin colt is set to run in the $2 million Sentient Jet Juvenile on November 4 following back-to-back runner-up efforts to start his career, including last out in the Grade 1 Champagne on October 7 at Belmont.
Voting Control put in his last work before the $1 million Juvenile Turf on November 3, going four furlongs in 49.76 seconds on the main track in company with Bricks and Mortar. A winner in his debut, Voting Control, a Kitten's Joy colt, was second in the Grade 3 Pilgrim on September 30.
Separationofpowers, on target for the $2 million 14 Hands Winery Juvenile Fillies after winning the Grade 1 Frizette on October 8 at Belmont, breezed five furlongs in 1:02.31 on Big Sandy. The daughter of Candy Ride has two career wins sandwiched around a third-place finish in the Grade 1 Spinaway on September 2.
* * *
Trainer Rick Violette, Jr. was on hand Saturday morning to watch Ralph M. and Lauren Evans' Grade 1 Jockey Club Gold Cup winner Diversify breeze a very sharp half-mile for a possible bid in next Saturday's Breeders' Cup Classic at Del Mar as the deadline for a final decision looms for the horse's connections.
With regular exercise rider Rodney Paine aboard, the 4-year-old New York-bred gelding by Bellamy Road broke off inside of a stablemate and hit the wire about three lengths ahead of his workmate. Diversify, who earned an all-fees-paid berth into the $6 million Classic with his gate-to-wire Jockey Club Gold Cup win on October 7, completed the move in 46.88 seconds, the fastest of 60 at the distance.
"It was very, very similar to the breeze before the Gold Cup," said Violette. "They went off a little quick, they went off in 22 and change and that wasn't by design, so I actually throttled them down a little galloping out [over the walkie talkie]. He went terrific. They got him in 46 and four and I got him out in 59 and change. He didn't do anything this morning to discourage us from getting on a plane."
Violette reiterated the connections' concerns about the amount of speed expected in this year's Classic, noting a pair of accomplished frontrunners for Hall of Famer Bob Baffert in Arrogate and West Coast, as well as expected favorite Gun Runner for trainer Steve Asmussen, which could compromise Diversify's most effective running style.
"We did rate him one race where it worked out and we won, but that was a different kettle of fish and it certainly isn't his 'A' game," he said. "His 'A' game is being on the lead. He's very brave and he gets into a terrific rhythm and he can keep doing it and doing it. The pace will be faster. There'll be company, whether we end up on the lead [or not]. It was a perfect spot in the Gold Cup, and certainly he's an improving horse. We don't want to do anything that is in any way going to regress his move forward."
Violette said Diversify has a spot reserved on a San Diego-bound flight on Tuesday should they decide to make the trip. Entries for the Breeders' Cup World Championships will be taken on Monday, October 30.
"If there are defections somewhere along the way, that would encourage me to go," Violette said. "It's a deep, deep race. It's not a two-horse race, with maybe a shot with a third horse. It's four, five, six deep.
"Ralph and Lauren have made it very clear that they're interested having this gelding around for another couple of years," he noted. "So, there is no pressure to go out there. We're not going out there to go ankle deep on the seashore and have some great seafood. If we don't think we can win it, we won't do it. We'll see how everyone else breezes and kind of handicap a bit, but there are options and certainly 2018 is the big option and we need to be around for that. No one likes to waste races. He doesn't need to go out there and run his eyeballs out, be fifth, exhausted and need the rest of the year off."
With regular exercise rider Rodney Paine aboard, the 4-year-old New York-bred gelding by Bellamy Road broke off inside of a stablemate and hit the wire about three lengths ahead of his workmate. Diversify, who earned an all-fees-paid berth into the $6 million Classic with his gate-to-wire Jockey Club Gold Cup win on October 7, completed the move in 46.88 seconds, the fastest of 60 at the distance.
"It was very, very similar to the breeze before the Gold Cup," said Violette. "They went off a little quick, they went off in 22 and change and that wasn't by design, so I actually throttled them down a little galloping out [over the walkie talkie]. He went terrific. They got him in 46 and four and I got him out in 59 and change. He didn't do anything this morning to discourage us from getting on a plane."
Violette reiterated the connections' concerns about the amount of speed expected in this year's Classic, noting a pair of accomplished frontrunners for Hall of Famer Bob Baffert in Arrogate and West Coast, as well as expected favorite Gun Runner for trainer Steve Asmussen, which could compromise Diversify's most effective running style.
"We did rate him one race where it worked out and we won, but that was a different kettle of fish and it certainly isn't his 'A' game," he said. "His 'A' game is being on the lead. He's very brave and he gets into a terrific rhythm and he can keep doing it and doing it. The pace will be faster. There'll be company, whether we end up on the lead [or not]. It was a perfect spot in the Gold Cup, and certainly he's an improving horse. We don't want to do anything that is in any way going to regress his move forward."
Violette said Diversify has a spot reserved on a San Diego-bound flight on Tuesday should they decide to make the trip. Entries for the Breeders' Cup World Championships will be taken on Monday, October 30.
"If there are defections somewhere along the way, that would encourage me to go," Violette said. "It's a deep, deep race. It's not a two-horse race, with maybe a shot with a third horse. It's four, five, six deep.
"Ralph and Lauren have made it very clear that they're interested having this gelding around for another couple of years," he noted. "So, there is no pressure to go out there. We're not going out there to go ankle deep on the seashore and have some great seafood. If we don't think we can win it, we won't do it. We'll see how everyone else breezes and kind of handicap a bit, but there are options and certainly 2018 is the big option and we need to be around for that. No one likes to waste races. He doesn't need to go out there and run his eyeballs out, be fifth, exhausted and need the rest of the year off."
* * *
Mr. Amore Stable's Grade 1 Champagne winner Firenze Fire visited the training track Saturday morning, working five furlongs in 1:00.10 for the $2 million Sentient Jet Breeders' Cup Juvenile Saturday at Del Mar. The breeze was the second-fastest of 45 at the distance.
The 2-year-old Poseidon's Warrior colt won his debut on June 18 at Monmouth Park before going on to win the Grade 3 Sanford at Saratoga. Following a fourth-place finish in the Grade 1 Hopeful, he came back to impressively win the Champagne on October 7 coming from off the pace to secure the victory by a half-length.
"It was just a maintenance breeze today," said trainer Jason Servis via telephone. "Coming out of the Champagne, we just have to keep him tight and on his toes. He's doing been doing well since that race."
Firenze Fire is set to depart to California on Tuesday.
The 2-year-old Poseidon's Warrior colt won his debut on June 18 at Monmouth Park before going on to win the Grade 3 Sanford at Saratoga. Following a fourth-place finish in the Grade 1 Hopeful, he came back to impressively win the Champagne on October 7 coming from off the pace to secure the victory by a half-length.
"It was just a maintenance breeze today," said trainer Jason Servis via telephone. "Coming out of the Champagne, we just have to keep him tight and on his toes. He's doing been doing well since that race."
Firenze Fire is set to depart to California on Tuesday.
Gambling Problems? The New York Racing Association encourages responsible wagering. If gambling is a problem for you or someone you care about, help is available 24 hours a day. Scan here to talk with someone now about your gambling. Or call toll-free 1-877-8-HOPE-NY.