Belmont: Closer Looks for June 29, 2014

Race 1

Barbara's Smile

After an impressive career debut that saw her go last-to-first, she came up empty in her first start against winners at second asking; don't want to be too hard on her for one poor performance, but obviously she's going to have to bounce back in a big way in order to get the job done.

Al's Gal

One of two signed on in here for the Contessa barn and this filly may very well prove to be the one to deny in this spot; her last three starts have all been in the neighborhood of what it will take to win this, and she figures to appreciate the turn back in distance.

Gondole

She was dropped in with 65k maiden claimers to break her maiden when last seen, but that was a solid run from a 2-year-old, and it was her first start with Lasix; not going to be at all surprised if she's set to give a good account of herself in this spot while making her first start as a 3-year-old.

Medaglia d'Argento

She looks like she fits right in at this level of competition and she's out of a G3 winning dam who won 7 of 29 starts for 523k, including 6 of 25 turf starts for 430k; she has her share of appeal in this spot based on what she's shown in her two turf starts wearing blinkers.

Stage Name

Have to be a little concerned when seeing that her one victory was earned in a race where she didn't face a late challenge, and she has struggled to maintain a forward gear late in her races; respect connections, but she needs to improve over her recent form to get the better of these.

Malibu Queen

Her best effort might be good enough to get her into the mix against these, but she has just a single win next to her name after 17 starts, and it might be best to limit her to a spot underneath in the exotics. - Brian Pochman

Race 3

Elena Strikes

She had the excuse of the slop two back and was not disgraced in the stakes last time; miss showed talent from Day One and she has trained solidly since the last try; miss has the speed to flee the fence; respect.

Misszippityslewda

Filly has natural speed but not sure she can make the top here; toss the turf race and the form brightens; like fact she got a couple of local drills under the girth and the move on the 17th was eye-catching; may like it here.

Nuffsaid Nuffsaid

Maybe she just needed her last; and note she won in the second off the layoff run last summer; note show horse was nearly 5 clear in last; the 2 inside horses and the Cibelli should provide an honest pace; can't fault those that give her one more shot at glory after the double chalk flop.

Making Havoc

Only serious runners are in the money in 8 of 9; she caught the slop the only time she was not in the trifecta; over 3 clear in last, miss has shown the grit to stick her head out when it counts; shore more 9 days ago figures to have her primed; another factor in a good little fray.

Jonata

Drawn where rider does not have to get into the race at the sound of the bell; pilot can see how the race is developing; love the spacing of the return drills accentuated by the blowout last Wednesday; barn continues to roll; don't ignore. - Brian Mulligan

Race 4

Keen's Cupla

Very fine breeze only 6 days ago; his sire won multiple G2 stakes and 1.25 million; progeny of Repent have scored in 21 out of 340 debuts; the dam won 3 of 17 attempts and 150K; among the winning siblings is 97K earner Molly's Ship.

Ten Large

Upbeat gate workout on 6/18; his sire won multiple G1s and 2.76 million; offspring of Afleet Alex are 23 for 330 as far as winning their first test; the dam involved was unraced; winning sibs include 215K earner Make the Moment.

Tax Alex

On the shelf since a solid showing in mid-April when compromised by a stumbling beginning; favored 2 back, he showed good speed until the final furlong; faces a host of untested runners now and does not warrant similar short odds.

Send One In

His sire won a G2 and 662K overall; descendants of Posse have scored in 37 out of 403 initial starts; the dam never competed; among the winning siblings is 136K earner My Man Sumo; moderate a.m. moves of late.

Gran the Man

Game to maintain the place in his first run despite the wide journey involved; the grey's sire won multiple G1s and 971K; the dam won 1 of 4 attempts and 5K; winning siblings include 46K earner Silver Sunset.

Cuantos

Ships from the shore with some encouraging workouts; his sire won multiple G2s and 450K; progeny of Read the Footnotes have won 10 percent of their first races; the dam won 3 of 39 and 167K; sib to 364K bankroller Bounding Bi.

Sea Raven

Offspring of Mineshaft, a multiple G1 victor who captured 2.28 million, have scored in 22 out of 311 initial starts; the dam went zero for 2; winning siblings include 111K earner Smokem's Charm; shows a steady breeze pattern of late.

American Hero

Did not fire first time out while going to post at gigantic odds; his sire won multiple G2s and 1.25 million while the mom won 6 of 19 attempts and 222K in total; this is her only foal to make it to the starting gate.

Spark to Ignite

Another wide trip seems destined and he was clearly beaten by Gran the Man in that first run; his sire won a G3 and 354K in total while the dam never made it to the races; this is her sole foal to compete.

Invasion Point

Sired by Invasor who tallied in several G1s earning 7.8 million along the way; his descendants are 2 for 61 in the first time victorious category; the dam won 2 of 7 and 74K; sib to 50K earner Lido Point.

Runaway Posse

Decent showing first time out when catching a muddy track; his sire won a G2 and 662K while the dam won 1 of 5 races and 7K; winning siblings include 41K earner Prima Dea; can improve over a fast surface (the expected track condition today). - Jim Kachulis

Race 5

Poor Etiquette

Filly has a nice turn of late foot; 3/7 place horse cashed next out in a $30K claimer, then ran out of the money; she needs help up front and not sure there is enough zip in here to help the cause; out to make amends after flop as chalk.

Rhythm Queen

Protected in both races since being claimed; troubled in the Jersey stakes and was moved up a slot; the fact she broke her maiden fresh gives her a chance to be on the muscle here; rates long look in all the slots.

Wildichi

Limited data on Drama Seeker, who's dam is kin to Grade 1 winner and over $2.6 million earner Dramatic Gold; sire took 2 routes, never turfed; dam was unraced; this is her first to roll; she has danced all the dances this year, just slowly; passing.

Bargaining Table

These are her friends; miss just never kicked in last and new rider hired; she doesn't have to be third to last early on this time; rates long look in all the slots.

Lotsa Noodles

Guess somebody had to run second last time; she only beat 2 rivals in the last win and it was slop aided; mare does have the two races to draw from now; and barn has been rolling; needs very best.

Flamingo Lane

She has been solid since the light went on; like fact she has been given time since the last effort; place horse in last took a $32K N3L fray, show horse beat $20K claimers next; miss has looked like a new runner this year and she is going great guns; should sit a nice trip; don't ignore.

Love the Breeding

Nothing wrong with local debut and she has a way around the wire; note place horse in last was over 9 clear; he was agile enough to overcome trouble in the March win; may need a slightly softer crew to thrive.

Dance With Gio

Three of the 5 wins have come here; nice; mare was out in post 11 in the stakes last time and probably didn t adore that trip; she only beat 6 in the softer fray two back; a slice may be the ceiling here.

Mlle Margaux

This is a tough ticket to adore; she was bothered by ran dead last the last time for this price; miss has the 2 races to build on now but she will need plenty of help up front; life and death for the last win and she has not been in the money since; would be careful here.

First Whippoorwill

Love the spacing of the return drills; life fact she can be placed anywhere and still perform; pushed wide in last, in good hands and barn due for a bit of luck, check out 11 slices this meet; rates upset glance.

Asheroony

Wraps added for the Oceanport debut and she just walked out of the gate; she can win close up or come from left field; she did catch the fastest splits of her career in last and just could not keep up; could be compromised by the slot here. - Brian Mulligan

Race 7

Hear the Footsteps

Multiple stakes placed veteran can prove to be tough to tackle if he feels up to one of his better efforts and have to respect what he's done from 16 starts over the Belmont Park turf; he was in tough last time, and note how well he ran against a few of today's rivals just two starts back.

Honorable Dillon

He's a G2 winner racing over dirt, and his overall dirt form has been quite good, but still feel that he's trying to prove that he can be at his best racing over turf; winner from latest won next out at Mth on 6/8 going 5 1/2f in a 58k stakes with a 92 Beyer.

Morpheus (GB)

Half-brother to multiple G1 winner overseas, Frankel (14-14, $4.7 million) probably hasn't quite shown us his best stuff in his first two starts in America, and perhaps he'll respond to blinkers being removed; Rosario has won with 7 of 21 (33%) mounts for this barn at the current meeting.

Marriedtothemusic

Sire wins with approximately 12% of his turf starters and dam won 3 of 7 starts for 53k, and she didn't make a turf start; his early speed can prove to be a key in a turf dash like this, and Velasquez has won with 10 of 34 (29%) mounts for this outfit at the current stand.

The Brothers War

Team Valor-owned colt has a strong turf pedigree but he's going to need to show more than he has in his first three starts in America in order to contend, and it is a concern to see the time off he's needed between recent starts; runner up from latest won next out here on 5/24 going 1 1/16m over turf vs. 80k OPC's with a 96 Beyer.

Carried Interest

Sire wins with approximately 10% of his turf starters and dam was winless from four starts, including one turf start; G2 stakes placed performer commands respect in his turf debut off of strong dirt form, and the third-place finisher from his latest race returned to win next out at Del on 6/18 going 6f in a 50k stakes with a 92 Beyer.

Heaven's Runway

Sire wins with approximately 11% of his turf starters and dam won once from seven starts for 33k, and she didn't make a turf start; feel that this has a chance to prove to be a tough spot for his turf debut; runner up from latest won next out at Prm on 5/11 going 6f in a 50k OPC with an 89 Beyer.

Italian Rules

Stakes winning veteran has run races in the past that are fast enough to suggest that he has the ability to be competitive in this spot, and he is making his first start after a claim for owner/trainer Jacobson; leaning toward others, but feel that he does need to be listed among the contenders.

Spring to the Sky

He beat a few of today's rivals over this turf course and at today's distance just two starts back, and have to respect the fact that he's being reunited with Castellano for this; don't care to see that he enters this race on a bit of a losing skid, but he's clearly capable of being competitive at this level of competition.

Grateful Nation

Maybe the addition of blinkers can help him along, but he's never run a race that is up to the level of what the top contenders in here have proven to be capable of; he has the look of an outsider. - Brian Pochman

Race 8

Isabelle

Statebred made a visually impressive brush to the top while running away from maidens in the local mud 2 back that pointed her out as one to watch and she did come back to take a restricted stake on the front end when her main pace foe encountered early trouble; she'll catch a tougher set in this graded stakes heat and the presence of other lick may be tough for her to overcome on the slight cut back; she's a nice filly, but have to side against the 3-peat today.

Miss Behaviour

Her speed resurfaced while making her second start of the year at Pimlico and she led them every step to take the sophomore stake; filly worked pretty well at Laurel a couple of weeks back for this and she is a G2 SW sprinter over the local main track; consider.

Milam

Gave the gal who beat her last time a run for her money while returning from the short break to earn her graded SP laurels and a career best Beyer along the way; like the fact she can settle off the pacesetters and fire and a top pilot will stick with her for this one; fresh filly worked sharply the other day and looms the one they'll have to hold off today.

Street Story

Upset stakes sprinters at Oaklawn while trying this trip last time and also took a stake there in her first start of the season; barn fires fresh and this gal's style should give her every shot to come rolling home in the lane if she's good enough; worth a look.

West Coast Chick

Zito filly beat older in her first local start while returning from 3 months on the shelf; she'll catch a pretty good bunch while getting back in with sophomores in this spot and the presence of other lick won't make it easy for her to strut her stuff; don't think she'll be around to factor at the finish.

Red Velvet

Never looked back after breaking from the fence in her first local spin and defeated stakes foes by open lengths; she'll move to the outside while stepping into the graded ranks today and she looks to face several whose best game is also front end speed; she's fast, but she'll have to earn it from here.

Fat Kat

Outside drawn shipper makes her first start outside of Parx today; she couldn't go with the winner late when stretched out to this trip last time and that was her only experience with a dry racing strip; she'll get a top pilot but it doesn't look like she wants to rate at all and if she does find her way to the top she's likely going to find it quite crowded. - Steve Grabowski

Race 9

Fire Ship

Sire is 3-for-26 (12%) with 1st-turf starters; 100K-earning dam (3-for-13) did not race on grass; her 4 foals to race on turf are 0-for-15 combined; co-field-best Beyer speed figure was posted on AQU Inner Dirt when producing the lone-exacta finish of career; the 3-back winner repeated in a BEL-allowance with a 72 Beyer.

Nanoon

Some-good improvement angles to ponder including 2nd-time Long, 1st-time Lasix and racing 2nd-time out; debut did not give the impression that today's distance was well within her scope but clearly has a chance to carry her speed a lot longer for this.

Kevin's Steel

The 7th and 9th-place finishers from last Beyered 69-48 in next-out 40K-maiden-claiming wins; hasn't been close to her best form in 2 races off the 52-day absence; trying to remember her October, 2012, LRL race at today's distance where she just missed rallying for 2nd; off recent form others appeal more.

Countess Twice

Projects as the one to catch stretching out off sprints; her sire is just 3-for-80 (4%) with 1st-turf starters; 378K-earning 5-time-stakes-winning dam went 2-0-0-1 racing on grass; her only other foal to race 1-for-18 Magical Blend (14K) did not race on turf; view as a speedy contender for win honors.

Sweetest Peach

Ranked as an outsider off 5 straight double-digit length defeats including latest decisive defeat vs. Zafiro Azul where she raced with front wraps on for the 1st time ever; career-best Beyer produced May, 2012, was racing over today's WIdener green at 1 Mile.

Sweetdreamsaboutme

Was outrun throughout in the 90-1 debut loss; gets the MSW-to-maiden claiming class drop the biggest in racing; some 2nd-time starters improve dramatically; 1-for-27 trainer this year with a 4%-win rider at BEL does not give you the impression a huge enough-move forward is on the way.

Transplendid

Long layoff for this but she might be OK noting 2 other fresh races during career were both on-the-board finishes; the 3-back winner repeated in a BEL-optional-claimer with a 62 Beyer; the workouts for this have not been eye catching but reunites with a rider who finished 3rd with her April, 2013; races for the 1st time in a maiden claimer considered to be the biggest-class drop in racing.

Zafiro Azul

Exits a best-last-race Beyer performance when stretching out to today's distance for the 1st time; another good sign is the wakeup rider returns for this; the January winner repeated in an AQU-OPC with a 73 Beyer; projects as a major factor flying in deep stretch; the pick.

Lil' Zilla

Goes from facing straight 2-year-olds to testing older rivals for the 1st time; same owner/different trainer for her 1st start in a maiden claimer; the runner-up finisher from last Beyered 58 in a next-out BEL-MSW win; the debut runner-up graduated next out with a 74 speed figure then took a BEL-100K stakes 2 races later with a 77 Beyer.

Josie's Prospect

Had a new owner and trainer when favored off the long layoff in last when tiring to Zafiro Azul; gets the rematch 2nd time off-the-bench so likely to improve; the trainer does very well with maiden-claiming starters; raced closer to the pace than ever before in last and hopes for a well-timed ride to turn the tables; the one to beat.

East Coast Express

No exactas in 9 other turf races while drawn widest is sure to lose ground; her Beyer Top was posted at today's distance on BEL Inner Turf and since that September show finish is 9-0-0-0; needs to find the missing passing gear; would be a surprise. - Art Gropper