Lady Shipman star of Belmont opening weekend

BELMONT NOTEBOOK

There was no graded racing during the opening weekend at Belmont Park.

Track Stats

A total of 27 races were held over the main strip at the Elmont, New York venue, with favorites winning at a 33 percent rate and the top two betting choices combining for 52 percent of the wins during the week. From 15 races on the main oval, two animals won in wire-to-wire fashion (12 percent), while three of the 12 grassy races were taken all the way on the lead (25 percent).  

We thought both surfaces played fairly this past week from a small sample to view from. Early foot on the main oval didn’t dominate at all, though horses that were forwardly placed had a good level of success.

From a trio of wire jobs on the lawn, two came in sprint runs and the other going a route of ground.

Meet Totals

Races:		27
Dirt:		15
Turf:		12
Favorites:		9 (33%)
2nd Choices:		5 (18%)
Dirt Wire:		3 (25%)
Turf Wire:		2 (13%)

Horses to Watch

Friday (4/29)

4TH – CLASSY CHRIS (Archarcharch) got into contention in the lane and stayed on well to be a nice runner-up at first asking in here under Joel Rosario. The three-year-old filly will be graduating soon with improvement going forward for conditioner Lisa Lewis.

7TH – NECK OF THE MOON (More Than Ready) made a big move into the lane and fell just a bit shy at the finish in securing a good second-place run off the layoff for trainer Chad Brown. The talented six-year-old should be tougher next time and likely stakes bound soon.

8TH – WEEKEND HIDEAWAY (Speightstown) proved that he has plenty left in the tank after rolling home in this stakes dash in his 2016 debut. The six-year-old has a lot of back class and we hope he has another big season for trainer Phil Serpe.

Saturday (4/30)

1ST – DEA (Midshipman) was well back behind a clear early leader but still made a good late run in this second-placed showing for Mark Casse. The four-year-old filly is pretty consistent and might have been the winner here with some racing luck.

7TH – SEA RAVEN (Mineshaft) was no threat to the winner but put in a strong late run to be a clear third in this race for trainer Leah Gyarmati. The five-year-old didn’t have a ton of pace to rally into and might benefit from landing in a field with pace in the mix.

Sunday (5/1)

4TH – SWEETRAYOFSUNSHINE (Benchmark) didn’t win but put in another big try in this fine form cycle, especially since coming to the Empire State. The stakes winner from the barn of David Jacobson continues to fire big in nearly each run and we have to continue to back this one until she falters.

8TH – LADY SHIPMAN (Midshipman) showed no rust from her trip to Dubai with a stylish score in this turf dash. The Kiaran McLaughlin trainee was easily best over this small field and should be in line for a big second half of this season.

A Look Ahead

Saturday will play host to a trio of graded races at Belmont Park. The topper is the $200,000 Sheepshead Bay S. (G2), and will be joined by the $150,000 Westchester S. (G3) and the $150,000 Fort Marcy S. (G3).