Litfin: Belmont track played faster late in card

Sunday, May 11, review

DRYING OUT ON MOTHER’S DAY

The harrowed main track was drying out and labeled “good” for the first four races. Following race 5, a turf sprint, the track was upgraded to “fast” for race 6, and indeed it appeared to get faster through the second half of the day.

The difference is apparent in the Beyer Speed Figures awarded to Palace Malice in the Westchester (race 3) and Fiftyshadesofhay in the Ruffian (race 8). Prepping for the Met Mile on June 7, Palace Malice ($2.10) had a paid public workout against three opponents in the Westchester. He ran one mile in 1:35.53 and received a 111 Beyer.

Over the same strip two hours later, Fiftyshadesofhay ($5.40), who looked beaten coming to midstretch, angled out and kicked in late to get past Grace Hall and My Wandy’s Girl in 1:35.70; she received only a 92 Beyer.

Other than speeding up as it dried, the main track played honestly in terms of paths and running styles.

THREE-PEAT

Imagining ($8.50) gave the Phipps Stable and Shug McGaughey their third consecutive win in the Grade 1 Man o’War, following Point of Entry (2012) and Boisterous (2013), when the race was positioned at the end of the meet in July.

Imagining, whose 15 prior races had all been on firm turf, handled the “good” going and turned back all comers under Joel Rosario, who is among the best in the business when it comes to rationing out speed on the lead.

Imagining, who picked up his first graded stakes win in the Red Smith last November, is aimed at the Manhattan Handicap on June 7, a race McGaughey has won three times with Phipps Stable homebreds, beginning with Good Reward in 2005.

HORSE TO WATCH

COARSEGOLD
Trainer: Mark Hennig
Last race: May 11, 7th
Finish: 5th by 2 1/4
Beyer: 81
Broke outward and was away slowly, steadied and shuffled back inside along the backstretch, swung wide into the lane, and finished evenly behind a slow pace in the License Fee Stakes.