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Belmont Park Saturday, September 29, 2012 "Jockey Club Gold Cup Preview"

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Belmont Park
Saturday, September 29, 2012
"Jockey Club Gold Cup Preview"
(Post Time: 5:46 p.m. ET) Surface: Dirt, 1 1/4 Miles, Open, 3 Year Olds And Up, G1 STAKES, Purse: $1,000,000


RON THE GREEK is a grinder that will be moving late, should he break well and find himself chasing a solid pace. The Bill Mott pupil has really come on this year with victories in the Santa Anita Handicap and Stephen Foster Handicap. Jose Lezcano retains the mount on this 5-2 favorite.

STAY THIRSTY has fared well at Belmont, but is winless in five tries. Throw in the fact that he hasn’t won since annexing the 2011 Travers and he would really need to move up to compete here. Todd Pletcher conditions this colt and Ramon Dominguez will ride for the first time since last year’s Kentucky Derby.

Like Stay Thirsty, RULER ON ICE has been a slumping four year old. He just cant seem to find the stride that sent him to the winners circle of last year’s Belmont Stakes. When last seen he stalked his way to a second place finish against optional claiming company. Will the magic return? Alan Garcia picks up the mount for Kelly Breen.

HYMN BOOK has a tough time working out a good trip, but he’s sharp when he does. He finished up strongly to win the Donn Handicap earlier this year and he also owns a runner up effort in the Suburban Handicap. Today’s distance is a question, but he is bred to handle it just fine. John Velazquez stays aboard for Shug McGaughey.

Arguably the best horse in the race, FORT LARNED made short work of his foes when last seen in the Whitney Handicap. He won from just off the pace and was under a hand ride late by Brian Hernandez, who will ride him today. Prior to that win he free wheeled to a triumph over Successful Dan in the Cornhusker Handicap. Ian Wilkes trains the bay runner.

Overmatched against his own age group, ATIGUN will try even deeper waters for trainer Ken McPeek. Probably not a wise placement, but hey, maybe the colt will shock us. When last seen he finished fourth in the Travers. It was a career best effort. Mike Smith will ride.

FAST FALCON loves to finish late and has the pedigree it takes to thrive in this race. He came home quick to be third by just a neck in the Travers last out. Corey Nakatani will get the ride from the injured Junior Alvarado. Nick Zito is the trainer.

Todd Pletcher’s best chance is with SAN PABLO. A lightly campaigned junior colt, he owns seven wins from 12 starts and rides a two race win streak into this event. Look for him on or near the pace under JJ Castellano.

FLAT OUT won this race a year ago and finds himself among the favorites this time around. He is winless in six tries since last year’s race, but could be sitting on a breakthrough effort. New trainer Bill Mott has led him up to this race beautifully and the setup looks to be in his favor. New rider Joel Rosario should do wonders for him.

GAME BALL was defeated 13 ¾ lengths when last seen in the Sword Dancer Invitational. It looks like he is overmatched once again. Rajiv Maragh will try to rally from off the pace for trainer Naipaul Chatterpaul.

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