Hard to look beyond Mirai in Bertram Bongard

ELMONT, N.Y. – Aside from being $150,000 races at seven furlongs for New York-breds, Sunday’s Joseph A. Gimma and Bertram F. Bongard at Belmont Park are markedly different races.

The Gimma, for fillies, is a wide-open race with a field of 13. The Bongard, for males, drew a field of only five with a strong favorite in Mirai.

The Bongard goes as the third. Two of its entrants, Pat On the Back and Horoscope, were cross-entered in Saturday’s $219,613 New York Breeders’ Futurity at Finger Lakes. Horoscope, a maiden, will definitely run at Belmont, per trainer David Cannizzo.

Mirai, a son of Trappe Show, was a visually impressive debut winner at Saratoga on Aug. 18, winning by 3 1/2 lengths as the 3-5 favorite in a field of 10.

“He got a nice trip out there in the clear, but he did it the right way,” said Chad Brown, who trains Mirai for Robert LaPenta and Madaket Stables. “I was very impressed with the way he drew off. He’s come back and trained super.”

Haul Anchor, a son of Bernardini, comes off a maiden win at Saratoga in his third start.

“It’s good timing and the distance should be right up our alley,” trainer Kiaran McLaughlin said.

The Gimma, which goes as the sixth, could be the best betting race on the card.

Trainer Todd Pletcher has a solid uncoupled entry in Iron Mizz and About That Base, but trainer Charlton Baker may have the right one in Tiznow’s Smile, despite her maiden status.

Tiznow’s Smile finished fourth at 15-1 in her debut and then finished third as the 2-1 favorite in the Seeking the Ante Stakes at Saratoga on Aug. 26. In both races, she experienced wide trips.

“She took the overland trip both times; she lost a lot of ground on the turn,” Baker said. “I think the Belmont track should help her as far as the big turns are concerned and the added distance, too.”

Iron Mizz won the Seeking the Ante in her first start on dirt. She had an ideal setup behind dueling leaders and won by three-quarters of a length over Code Red, who is also in this field.

“It wasn’t a huge [speed] figure but I think she showed some determination and guts and most importantly got the ‘W,’ ” trainer Todd Pletcher said.

About That Base, a daughter of Bellamy Road, is coming off a 5 1/2-length maiden win over a muddy and sealed Saratoga track at the Gimma distance in an off-the-turf race on Aug. 26.

“I think she ultimately wants further,” Pletcher said.

Ribbonite, who gave Robbie Davis his first stakes win as a trainer in the Lady Finger Stakes at Finger Lakes on Sept. 10, is in with a chance, though she’ll have to overcome post 13.

Bertram F. Bongard, Race 3

Key Contenders

Mirai, by Trappe Shot

Beyer: 69

◗ Sharp winner with a perfect trip in debut now gets an added furlong and a perfect outside draw.

“The way he trains I don’t think it’ll be any problem,” said Brown, regarding the seven furlongs.

Haul Anchor, by Bernardini

Last 3 Beyers: 75-68-66

◗ A beaten favorite in his first two starts, he finally broke through in a Sept. 1 maiden race going 5 1/2 furlongs at Saratoga. Junior Alvarado rode him in all three races.

“We were probably best in his first race,” McLaughlin said. “Junior didn’t want to rush him too much. In his second race, he was just second-best. In his third race, he had a beautiful trip and won well.”

◗ He breaks from post 4 under Alvarado.

Joseph A. Gimma, Race 6

KEY CONTENDERS

Tiznow’s Smile, by Tiznow

Beyers: 50-46

◗ Should benefit from added distance, as she was slow away but finished with interest in her first two starts, one at six furlongs and one at 6 1/2.

◗ Fired a bullet work over the Belmont training track on Sept. 18.

◗ Picks up the services of Irad Ortiz Jr.

About That Base, by Bellamy Road

Beyers: 60-41

◗ Won with something left going seven furlongs over a muddy surface, conditions that could be in play on Sunday.

Bree’s Got Heart, by Colonel John

Beyers: 55-46

◗ Put in two solid efforts at Saratoga, including a win at this distance, and has since come back with a bullet work at Parx.