Hammersly's review: Nonna's Boy shines in debut

Rain washes races off turf, doesn’t dampen debut

Steady rains forced the five carded grass races onto the main track. The heavy rains did not affect first-timer Nonna’s Boy ($2.20) in the opener. Trained by Todd Pletcher, the 2-year-old son of Distorted Humor was absolutely hammered at the windows as some strong works and Pletcher’s success with juvenile firsters saw him at 1-9.

Pletcher had also entered Stanford, a $550,000 son of Malibu Moon who had been working similarly to Nonna’s Boy, but once Stanford scratched, there was little doubt who was the better intended. On a track labeled “muddy” (and sealed), Nonna’s Boy broke alertly from his rail slot under John Velazquez, went right to the lead, and expanded his margin through the lane, splashing home some 5 1/2 lengths clear and doing so geared down. Almost certainly, this guy figures to be seen next in a 2-year-old stakes.

No stopping Non Stop

Having the race moved off the turf onto a sloppy main track in race 2 (starter allowance, six furlongs) didn’t bother Non Stop ($7) in the slightest. Neither did his own behavior. The 6-year-old gelded son of Successful Appeal had run well in couple prior wet-track starts (a second and a third). With the rail draw, he was a bit rambunctious before the start, and when the gates opened, he came out last. However, after biding his time, he steadily advanced, swung widest of all into the lane, and came home strongly under Abel Lezcano to win by three-quarters of a length over longshot (24-1) pacesetter Glory Game.

The terrific veteran Awakino Cat, a 14-time winner, including his last two starts, didn’t relish the slop. It was a bit surprising as he’d finished first and third in two prior wet-track starts, but here he dogged Glory Game early but began to back out of it going to the far turn and ended up well-beaten fifth.

Good news, bad news

Bounty Pink ($3.30) continued her tear, winning race 5, a $12,500 mile main track event, making it three straight wins and four of her last five. Unfortunately, the drop in value from $20,000 last time to this cheaper spot may have been telling – she was unable to return to get her picture taken as she had to be vanned off after the race with an apparent injury to her right fore. She did walk into the horse ambulance.

Chris Englehart won a two-way shake for her but had the claim voided.

They’re off, you lose

Run Run Forrest unseated Angel Arroyo at the start of race 7. He was caught by the outrider, and both horse and jockey were reportedly OK. The same can’t be said for those who wagered on him as he was declared a starter. The stewards ruled the assistant starter was in the proper position, and it was the horse bucking, not improper handling by the starter, which caused him to dump Arroyo.

Favored Upward, who ran poorly, goes to Jason Servis (got him in a seven-way shake). Street Shark, who won the race, goes to Gary Contessa’s barn.

Horse to watch

GLORY GAME
Trainer: Yvon Belsoeur
Last race: June 13, 2nd
Finish: 2nd by 3/4

The 6-year-old son of Medallist was making his first start since winning and being claimed Dec. 14 for $20,000 at Woodbine. It was encouraging to see him return without a tag attached, and in this race originally carded for turf (washed off onto a muddy main track), he was fit and ready as he bounced out to set the pace, gamely rebuffed a challenge from Cast a Doubt, but couldn’t quite fend off winner Non Stop. A very nice comeback and first local run.