#1 Posted: 7/7/2012 9:38:06 AM
Belmont Park
"2012 Suburban Handicap Preview"
Saturday July 7 (Post Time: 5:06 pm ET) Surface: Dirt,
1 1/8 Miles, Open, 3 Year Olds And Up, G2 STAKES, Purse: $350,000
The nine furlongs Grade 2 Suburban Handicap features a well matched
group of eight horses set to compete for a $350k purse. Last year's
edition of the race saw Flat Out score at a nice price before going on
to be a force in the older horse division.
ENDORSEMENT (Distorted Humor x Charmed Gift by AP Indy) is deserving of
support. He ran a game race last out to be defeated just a length in the
Grade 3 Pimlico Special, a race that was more like a Grade 1. Before
that he waited patiently in fourth before taking the Grade 3 Texas Mile
at Lone Star. His only try at today's distance was an easy win in the
Sunland Derby. Martin Garcia keeps the mount for trainer Eoin Harty.
Likely to receive strong support is STAY THIRSTY (Bernardini x Marozia
by Storm Bird) from the barn of Todd Pletcher. He made his 2012 debut on
May 17 when he finished second in an overnight stakes race behind the
once beaten Trickmeister. Last year saw him win the Grade 2 Jim Dandy
Stakes and Grade 1 Travers Stakes before grabbing the show spot in the
Grade 1 Jockey Club Gold Cup. JJ Castellano stays aboard for owner Mike
Repole.
Repole has also entered CAIXA ELETRONICA (Arromanches x Edyta by Skip
Away). This one took the six furlong Grade 2 True North when last seen.
Three back he was a winner in the $1 million Charles Town Classic at
today's distance. Eddie Castro picks up the ride.
BUFFUM (Bernardini x Storm Beauty by Storm Cat) completes a trifecta of
entries for his sire. The $1.2 million auction purchase has raced
sparingly, but has been devastatingly face when he has. This will be his
second start since September. He won an optional claiming race by 8
lengths on May 28.
HYMN BOOK (Arch x Vespers by Known Fact) scored his first Grade 1 win
when taking the Donn Handicap back in February. Since then he has
finished fourth in the Grade 2 Oaklawn Handicap and fifth in the Pimlico
Special. He didn't have the greatest set up in either race and the
gelding experienced a troubled trip in the Pimlico Special. A cleaner
trip and fast pace will have him in the thick of the finish in this
event. Alan Garcia picks up the mount from John Velazquez for trainer
Shug McGaughey. Garcia rode this six-year-old to a second place finish
in last year's Cigar Mile.
TRICKMEISTER (Proud Citizen x Afternoon Trick by Afternoon Deelites)
does nothing but win races as proven by his lifetime record.
Unfortunately, he doesn't get out much. This will be his first race
since easily dispatching Stay Thirsty last out in wire to wire fashion.
Ramon Dominguez stays aboard for trainer Rick Dutrow.
Mike Smith is in to ride MUCHO MACHO MAN (Macho Uno x Ponche De Leona by
Ponche) for trainer Kathy Ritvo. Touted by many as the best horse in
the country, he failed to fire when finishing third in the Grade 2
Alysheba Stakes at Churchill Downs. He will look to rebound here and
three bullet workouts tell us that he means business. Should he win,
this will be the third graded stakes win of his career with all three
victories company against Grade 2 company.
TO HONOR AND SERVE (Bernardini x Pilfer by Deputy Minister) is likely to
be sent off as the favorite. The Grade 1 winner owns a victory in the
Grade 3 Westchester as well as a third place effort in the Grade 1
Metropolitan Handicap thus far in 2012. His last few races have been at a
mile, but he is bred to enjoy route racing. The Bill Mott pupil has an
excellent record at Belmont Park and at the distance. Jose Lezcano
retains the mount.
Author FullCardReports.com
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