Today's Flavor splashes to victory in rained-off Belmont Turf Sprint
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The switch from the turf to a sloppy main track obviously appeared to be an advantage for Today’s Flavor, who made the most of the opportunity when leading throughout to register a half-length decision over the equally versatile Thin White Duke in Saturday’s $200,000 Belmont Turf Sprint. The late change in venue came less than a half hour before scheduled post time due to additional rain that began falling heavily over an already yielding turf course.
Although Today’s Flavor had captured his previous start when making his grass debut at Aqueduct just two weeks earlier, his résumé certainly suggested dirt, especially a wet main track, would play to his favor in the Turf Sprint. The 5-year-old New York-bred captured five of his previous 12 starts on dirt including both previous tries over an “off” track. Two of his main track outings came against graded stakes opposition, producing solid fourth place finishes earlier this year in the Grade 1 Carter and Grade 2 True North.
Today’s Flavor got knocked around some after the start but quickly recovered to assume command under Javier Castellano in the opening furlong, his ability to control the pace aided when fellow speedster Pirate Rick was shuffled back in tight quarters between horses after the break. Today’s Flavor rated kindly on the front end, shook clear of early pursuers Dancing Buck and Alogan when set down leaving the turn then had enough left to withstand Thin White Duke’s final rally.
Thin White Duke, a two-time winner on dirt early in his career, raced wide while forwardly placed from the outset, loomed boldly out near the center of the course through midstretch but could not sustain the bid. Wit came on strongest of all at the end to be third.
Today’s Flavor, a son of Laoban, is owned by Reddam Racing LLC and trained by George Weaver. He paid $4.80 after negotiating six furlongs over the sealed surface in 1:09.74. Today's Flavor earned a Beyer Speed Figure of 93.
“I liked him on a firm course going in, but I was glad when the race was switched to the dirt because he likes the wet track and I didn’t want him running over a soft turf,” said Weaver. “It looked like a good opportunity presented him and to his credit, he made the most of it.”
Although Weaver said he’s looking forward to getting Today’s Flavor back on grass in the future, he said the $150,000 Hudson Stakes at 6 1/2 furlongs on the dirt on the October 29th New York Showcase day card would likely be his next goal.
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