Litfin: Closers fared best at Belmont

Thursday, May 15, review

CLOSERS HAD EDGE ON DIRT

The main track played exceptionally quick through five races Thursday, rated anywhere from 22 to 31 points fast on the Beyer Speed Figure scale (roughly 8 to 11 lengths).

Off-the-pace types enjoyed an edge, as four of the five races were won by horses rallying from the rear half of the field, including this trio:

• Bemata (3rd, $7.10) came from next-to-last, with Real Estate Rich along from dead last to complete the exacta.

• Rich ‘n’ Tuck (5th, $9.30) overcame a deficit of seven lengths to nail a seemingly home-free Cost Affective at the wire. Cost Affective got a great trip, slipping through on the rail turning for home, but the 8-5 favorite couldn’t seal the deal and is now 0 for 13.

• Chilton (7th, $5.80) was last of four down the backstretch and was able to wear down Therhythmisright, who ran a scorching half-mile in 44.18 seconds and paid the price as the 3-5 choice.

TURF TRENDS

Closers fared well on grass as well:

• Captain Davrick (4th, $85.50) single-handedly triggered a pick-six carryover of $31,085 when he came from eighth to take a six-furlong allowance for New York-breds on the Widener course.

From 16 races on the Widener this spring, only Fancy Boss (May 4, $6.10) has been able to go wire to wire.

• Medaglia d’Argento (6th, $6.20), 17 lengths behind early, was along in plenty of time to win a $40,000 maiden claimer at 1 1/16 miles on the inner turf.

Speed has fared better on the inner overall, where four of 11 races have been won by front-runners.

TIME AND AGAIN

Three races at 6 1/2 furlongs were run in remarkably similar times. Bemata and Rich ‘n’ Tuck ran the distance in an identical 1:16.19 and earned Beyers of 85.

The vastly improved (and busy) Chilton, who has won all four of his sprints this year on as many different tracks, required 1:16.32 and equaled his career-top figure of 84 at Parx Racing just last Saturday for trainer Michelle Nevin.
The grassy late double consisted of Canzoni (8th, $5.90), who garnered his first-level allowance condition for Todd Pletcher through 1 1/16 miles in 1:43.27 on the Widener, and Analysis (9th, $24.20), who went in 1:43.26 on the inner turf off a trainer change to George Weaver, who is now 6 for 14 with blinkers-off runners in 2013-14.

Despite running virtually identical times, the footing on the inner was evidently rated much slower: Canzoni received a Beyer of 83, while Analysis earned a 62.

HORSE TO WATCH

HIDDENITE
Trainer: David Donk
Last race: May 15, 6th
Finish: 5th by 10 3/4
Beyer: 46
Sent off as the second choice, stumbled at the start, raced close up to very fast fractions, and took a short lead between calls in upper stretch before being overtaken by the top four finishers, all of whom came from far back as the pace melted down completely.