The turf at Belmont Park has been running fast. Very fast. But fast in a curious way, because it doesn't appear to be restricted to only the better grade of race. I'm seeing rather fast times across the entire spectrum of races. And since it is the horse that runs fast and not the turf, and with Christmas in August fast approaching (Saratoga), I pay attention.

For example, on July 5th, the fifth race on the turf for 3 yr. old's was a 60K Starter Optional Claiming won by Quantity in 1:40.70. The final quarter was run in 23.71 and the last 16th in a strong 5.96 seconds. One race prior, a high level Maiden Claiming race was run on the inner turf course for 3 & up at the same distance. And while the shape was a bit different (slow early) based on the inner course configuration, the resulting finishing times were curious when compared to each other.

The Maiden Claimer ran the final quarter in 22.54 and the final 16th in 5.81. Both faster then the more accomplished 3 yr. old horses one race later. What raised my eyebrows even higher was a comparison to race 8 on the same day. Race 8 was another 1 1/16th turf affair also run on the inner. That race was won by Street Game, who's been running against some nice foes. That race saw the final quarter run in 22.64 and the last 16th run in 5.80 seconds.

So while the 8th is a race to watch, so then is the 4th. Dominguez rode Last Starter to a nice win while in for 45K in a 50K claimer. If she goes to Saratoga, she will be facing some tough allowance company or claimers (and winners) worth much more. The place horse, Wandering Kitten ridden my Rosie Napravnik had a trip true to her name and with a straighter course would have made a better impression on the charts. She lost by 2 lengths as the slight favorite and may also show up at the Spa. But she will be a maiden still and probably a favorite given the troubled trip. The next two were separated by less than a length. Watch for Lion Prince in a paceless race if he is the only front runner. He was five lengths behind the winner which won't look good in the PP's. But considering the swift closing fractions, and the general swiftness of the turf course, that might work out just fine if the company is the right kind next time out.

As for horses to watch, I would keep an eye on the winner of the 7th, Madame Giry. Winning her MSW in fine style after being risked in a 65K MClm race, she has a pedigree that gives her license to be a good racehorse. By Castledale, she has the Nureyev blood. Her grand sire Peintre Celebre, won the Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe in which he broke the track record by more than 3 seconds. She had not shown precocity in her 3 prior MSW races but that may just be her taking a bit longer to learn the game. She was a late (April) foal and may need a bit more time. But on the 6th she was spotted well, she got a field she could handle and more importantly, stayed in easy striking position with little effort and understood what to do when it was time to do it.

So however you see it, good luck and good 'capping!

Slew

Hello all! Those of you familiar with my "Slew's Fast Horses" listings have seen on one or two occasions a "key Horse" listed at the top of the daily file. This does not happen often because these horses come from my own evaluation of fast races that merit a closer look. I don't pick many but one or two get selected and when they run, get added to the daily file. Tomorrow (Sat.) is one of those times.

The Sands Point, a Grade II turf event run May 29th at Belmont Park produced a flying finish that involved three horses: Better Lucky, Regalo Mia and Zultanite. The favorite, Somali Lemonade was a curious 4th and was never really involved. The race ran quickly with the exception of the 1st quarter. Better Lucky and Regalo Mia came home dead tight in 1:42.75 with the last 16th run in a nice 6.09 seconds. The track record was set by Roman Envoy in 1992 at 1:39.38 carrying 117 lbs. It was his best year, with 6 wins from 10 starts with earnings in excess of 450k. He was bred and owned by the venerable Fred W. Hooper. It should be noted that in the Sands Point all carried 117 lbs except Somali Lemonade who weighed in at 121 lbs.

While both horses, Somali lemonade and Zultanite are dropping into the Grade III level, and while I tend to look to horses that finished together to reverse themselves the next time they face each other, I think not this time. Zultanite has held his from since his maiden win in November and showed courage on the rail as he was headed in deep stretch by Better Lucky. If he isn't dead tired, he should be tough in this spot, with rider Paco Lopez winning at 22% for the meet.

I will be at Monmouth Park tomorrow and barring anything unexpected in the paddock and walking ring, Zultanite will be my key horse in that race. I will probably hedge just a bit using an exacta box with Somali Lemonade in case she wakes up. But the listing in Slew's file stands:

SLEW'S FAST HORSES for (06/23/12) v1.0

CURRENT KEY HORSES (< 90 DAYS)

Zultanite - MP (11) 05/28/12 # 7

For whatever YOU do, good luck and good 'capping!

Slew

Hello all. I normally post in the guest handicappers section but today, I find that two races merit attention and possibly some horses who have yet to run as well.

There was one race at Belmont Park today (6-20) that strikes me as a bit strange. Race 4, a Maiden Claiming affair for the girls at 6F was run in a quick 1:08.57 on what was no doubt, a dry and glib turf course. The winner, Vindicated Ghost had run previously in an Optional Allowance affair on June 1st as a MAIDEN. That race was won by Ballastic Sue in a quicker 1:07.65. True to her name, Ballastic Sue paid $33.00. That June 1 race now has 2 next out winners, as Strategic Missle came back 6 days later to win a SB AlwOC and paid $80.00. That horse was a single on Slew's list that day and is no stranger to the winners circle.

It seems to me that the seed race (the 6th) on June 1st has yet to see the entire story unfold as it was fairly contentious, and the 8th race on June 7th needs to be watched. The first 5 horses were separated by less then 1 1/2 lengths.

Keep an eye out for runners from these races.

Slew