Litfin: Wet Belmont track was fair to all styles

Thursday, May 8, review

Sloppy track
After overnight rain, and through intermittent showers, three scheduled turf races were washed off to a sloppy and sealed main track. The surface appeared fair to all running styles, while the only path where horses seemed at a disadvantage was right down along the rail; several winners and close-up finishers were on or near the lead from the two path, and wide rallies down the center of the strip also played well.

Winning Move
It was a productive afternoon for Winning Move Stable, which sent out two winners in off-the-turf races.
Days Ride (5th, $9.60), a private purchase making his first start since Feb. 2 for new trainer Steve Klesaris, collared odds-on Mulheb and Dreaming of Danny in the stretch for his first win on dirt. Klesaris improved to 2-1-0 with his first three starters at the meet.

Nonnie Connie (9th, $12.40), formerly trained by the late Dominic Galluscio, made her first start for Gary Contessa and wired restricted claimers first out since Jan. 23, completing an all-filly late pick four worth $1,701.

Two winners for Bernardini
Red Constitution (2nd, $10.80) and Salisbury Knight (4th, $8.10), a couple of 3-year-olds sired by Bernardini, appeared to relish the off going.

Salisbury Knight added blinkers for Jimmy Jerkens and stretched out for a one-mile maiden victory over New York-breds after meeting allowance repeaters Little Daddy and Captain Serious at six furlongs. His win came at the expense of Bluegrass Flash, who is now a four-time beaten favorite but ran well while along the rail first time out in five months. Christophe Clement, afflicted with “second-itis,” is now 1-5-1 from 13 meet starters.

Calistoga wins feature
Chalk up another wet-track winner for the terrific sire Speightstown, as Calistoga (8th, $7.50) got through her second-level allowance conditions on the third attempt for Bill Mott. Sky Skier set the pace and saved the place after repelling the favored Eleni Strikes.

Horse to watch

COVIELLO
Trainer: Rick Violette Jr.
Last race: May 8, 4th
Finish: 3rd by 6
Beyer: 63
This second-time starter was up in class and distance returning from eight months on the sidelines and rallied mildly for third in a one-mile maiden special weight race, improving 21 points from his juvenile debut last fall.