Sammy C Note looks to end string of seconds in statebred allowance
:quality(75))
Perennial bridesmaid Sammy C Note, whose four consecutive runner-up finishes have come by a total margin of just over one length, tries again to end her case of seconditis in a first-level New York-bred allowance that serves as the co-feature on Thursday’s eight-race program at Belmont Park.
A first-level allowance/optional $55,000 claimer going 5 1/2 furlongs on turf is the other co-feature.
Two starts back, Sammy C Note, trained by Mike Miceli, finished second in this same condition at Saratoga, a half-length behind Caroline St. Beat and a length in front of Coach Ryan. Caroline St. Beat came out of that race to win the $1.7 million Nashville Derby at Kentucky Downs, while Coach Ryan came back to win a statebred allowance,
Sammy C Note, meanwhile, came back and got beat a nose by 31-1 shot Metatron in this condition over this turf course. Sammy C Note will retain jockey Antonio Fresu, after the horse had different riders in its preceding there starts.
Calvin’s Ride looks like a horse who would love the synthetic based on his 6-4-0 record from 11 starts over the surface at Presque Isle Downs. This summer, Calvin’s Ride, trained by Kevin Rice, competed twice on turf at Saratoga, running fourth, beaten one length, in the same allowance that Sammy C Note was second and Stormy Birthday, also in this field, finished third.
Calvin’s Ride came back to finish second to Carc Brothers, an undefeated colt, who came back to make it 5 for 5 in his next start on Oct. 23.
Crescendo’s Rain ran well enough in his turf debut to remain on that surface event though he his is 4 for 7 on dirt for trainer Charlton Baker.
Final Denile won in this condition two back at Saratoga when offered for the optional $50,000 claiming price, before finishing fourth in a starter race on Oct. 7 at Belmont.
In race 7, Pivotal Moment also tries to end a streak of near hits when runs in an allowance/optional $55,000 claimer going 5 1/2 furlongs on turf. Pivotal Moment, on Sept. 12, was beaten a half-length by Wildncrazynight at Monmouth with that horse coming back to win next out at Delaware Park.
In his most recent start on this circuit, Pivotal Moment was beaten three lengths Bite and Strike in a race where Learntodiscover finished fourth. Learntodiscover came back to upset the Grade 3 Quick Call at Saratoga.
Pivotal Moment is trained by Miguel Clement, who also sends out Grunge, who has finished second in his last two starts, both since Clement added blinkers to his equipment.
Run Curits Run’s better days are behind him, but he has the back class to be competitive in a spot like this. He finished fourth, beaten just 1 3/4 lengths the day he was claimed for this price by Fernando Abreu.
Capanaparo, second in the Paradise Creek Stakes at Aqueduct in May, returns from a brief freshening for trainer Rick Dutrow Jr.
Money Makes Money, a winner of two of his last four starts for Robertino Diodoro, is another who fits well in here.
:: Want to learn more about handicapping and wagering? Check out DRF's Handicapping 101 and Wagering 101 pages.