Black Belt takes down Expressman, might be stakes-bound
HALLANDALE BEACH, Fla. – It was like David slaying Goliath in last Friday’s allowance feature, when Black Belt, a former $16,000 claimer, easily defeated Expressman, undoubtedly valued at seven figures after winning his debut with a 107 Beyer Speed Figure in August.
Black Belt, who was haltered for $16,000 tag on July 29, raced forwardly from post 8 on Friday, then drew off from the odds-on Expressman with complete authority when roused by jockey Irad Ortiz Jr. to register his third consecutive victory. Trained by Peter Walder, the 4-year-old son of Not This Time completed a mile over the fast track in 1:35.46, earning a career-best 96 Beyer Speed Figure.
Black Belt won for a $20,000 claiming tag in his first race for Walder, and came back to win a starter allowance.
“He was in a ridiculously tough race the day we claimed him,” Walder recalled. “When we ran him back in the $20,000 never won three, he was actually getting big class relief despite going up in price. I think that win gave him a lot of confidence, and after he came back to also win the starter race, the one other-than-allowance was obviously the next logical step in the progression.”
Walder said he never gave a second’s thought to scratching Black Belt despite the presence of Expressman.
“There’s always the theory you should never be afraid of one horse in any race,” said Walder. “We had a good post, we had Irad, and to be honest I thought we were a winner the moment he broke out of the gate the way he was positioned and traveling. Irad just seemed to have a ton of horse, and when he gave him his cue, there was no doubt he was going to win, even when the favorite tried to come after him.”
Walder, who has 25 horses stabled locally and another eight at Belmont Park, said a two-other-than allowance race would be the next logical option for Black Belt, although he said he would nominate him for the Grade 3, $150,000 Fred Hooper on the Jan. 28 Pegasus World Cup card.
“It’s a one turn mile, he seems to love this track, he’s in good form, and I believe you should always strike when the iron is hot,” Walder said. “So it’s probably not so far-fetched to run in there.”
:: Want to learn more about handicapping and wagering? Check out DRF's Handicapping 101 and Wagering 101 pages.