WIZARD's Daily Selections

Belmont Park, NY June 18

THE WIZARD Thoroughbred Racing Selections BELMONT JUNE 18, 1999 BEL The Wizard's Crystal Ball (3) HAZING TONY (Race Six) The addition of blinkers could make all the difference in the world for this grandson of Blushing Groom. When he made his May 21 debut he was very impressive going to the lead, putting away a next out winner, then drawing away nicely. I picked him second for the June 4 Flash Stakes, but in that event he threw a fit in the gate before the start, then dueled with the heavy favorite. When headed he became very green and drifted out while losing his action. Shakes loose today. (9) MINNIE'S BRAT (Race Nine) Although I generally try and avoid horses shipping to New York in the Crystal Ball, this mare looks too well spotted to pass. She comes off a layoff for a top New Jersey based trainer, who hits one-third of the time on the layoff. Minnie's Brat projects to sit the golden stalking trip outside of a ton of suspect speed to her inside. She has also posted a strong wet track record should there be moisture in the track. Her April 10 event came at a level equivalent to NW3x. Velazquez back on. RACE ONE (5) DISTINCTUAL-returned May 13 with first time lasix and a low profile rider. Showed much improved tactical speed and proved best. Tremendous pedigree, strong works since, and switch to Migliore all say she'll improve. (7) BLUES SISTAH-would probably prefer a dry track. Came off an extended layoff April 1 and overcame a bad post to win decisively. Caught a muddy sealed track May 7. Back to dry May 28 and she was a strong third. (2) SAI GONE-completely destroyed maiden foes as much the best in her April 28 debut. Broke sluggishly May 28 and was climbing badly as if she didn't handle the track, then kicked in late to narrowly miss. Could explode today RACE TWO (1) EXPLOSIVE REWARD-first time lasix. Son of turf speedster Explosive Red showed unexpected sprint speed in his May 13 debut dueling to upper stretch. The winner came back to photo in a stake. Can shake loose inside. (2) SMITHSON VALLEY-first time starter could be anything as a full brother to champion sprinter Queena. Full to another stakes winner as well. Late sire Mr. Prospector still scores high with debut performers. Nice gate work. (5) GONE SUPER-trainer Phil Johnson rarely wins with firster, but this grandson of Fappiano showed ability in his June 5 debut. In that event he broke tardily, then sustained an outside move to loom dangerous before flattening. RACE THREE (5) EL SUENO-broke tardily from an outside post in her May 28 debut, then finished extremely well and gamely. Stretches out to a distance for which she's well bred, and should be expected to show more speed. Good post. (1) SUN PRINCESSA-trainer James Bond is one of the few who can win with firsters going long, as he did on Sunday. This filly is a full sister to G1 long distance winners Lac Ouimet and St. Jovite. Gets lasix and Chavez. (3) CONFIRMING-comes off three solid efforts since going on lasix. On May 29 she tried this distance and got hemmed in behind horses while the winner was getting a clear path on the outside. Barn going well at the meet. > OFF THE GRASS: (1A) PORTLAOISE (7) WEEKEND IN INDY (2B) GRACIOUS LIVING RACE FOUR (3) AMERICA'S BELLE-returns. This filly looks very much like the top choice in Race 1. This on caught a muddy, biased track Nov 11. She returned Nov 27 and dueled through solid fractions before winning going away. (7) PRECEDENCE-came off the layoff May 26 to make her 3 YO debut. In that event she took all the late money and sustained a strong close to reel in the speed. Her only weak effort came going a mile in a stake. (4) SWEET CITY GIRL-improved when switched to the Tesher barn last winter. Came off the layoff May 28 and was a solid 3rd getting lasix for the first time. Switches to Bailey, and has the tactical speed to lay close. (8) URMINE-broke her maiden decisively April 28, then raced wide in the faster of two divisions May 28. RACE FIVE (1) BEBOP BLUES-overcame severe early trouble to be a good 2nd May 28. Inside post and tactical speed. (10) DINA'S SONG-returns. Showed a world of ability in her three grass starts versus NYB company. Steady works. (12) MY SHINING STAR-must draw in. strong 2nd versus NYB April 30. Switches to Migliore. Must overcome post. (11) SILVER CORD-must draw in. Improved May 28 although beaten lengths don't show it. Bomb threat. In light. (7) NUMBERED TERMS-Half to turf winner Surumu's Account from a turf winning dam. Has class as well. (5)SCREAMIN THE BLUES-moves up in the event of late scratches. Has grass pedigree top and bottom. >OFF THE GRASS: (1)BEBOP BLUES (7)NUMBERED TERMS (5)SCREAMIN THE BLUES (8)KATIE'S CURE RACE SIX (3) HAZING TONY-blinkers on. Still green June 4, but likely to control pace today. READ THE CRYSTAL BALL! (4) BEVO-debuted April 29 and produced a professional win despite being green. Reeled in the speed decisively. Trainer Bill Badgett expressed concern about the layoff June 4, and the colt did indeed break sluggishly. (1) BEARCAT RUCKUS-returns. Took a ton of the money into the teeth of a Ben Perkins firster in his April 27 debut. Broke tardily and then rushed to the lead, then won as he pleased. Gets top value rider John Velazquez. RACE SEVEN (3) GHOST COLONY-freshened up from a solid closing 3rd May 12. Classy filly's only bad effort came in a muddy sprint April 3, but all of her route efforts fit well here. Proven around one turn as well. Has tactical speed. (6) MOONLIGHTING-fits the conditions perfectly because her J-bred wins don't count. Sharpened in a May 9 sprint, she stretched out May 31. In that event she closed sneaky strong behind an acclerating pace. Good rider. (8) ONE RUN BABY-comes off a huge win over the track May 27. In that event she raced up close to the pace and blew by an odds-on favorite with unbelieveable ease. Must carry the heavy weight package as a penalty. (7) MISS THERMAL TECH-stretches out in the best form of her career. Likely to control the pace under Migliore. RACE EIGHT (4) BALTIMORE GRAY-repeats the pattern of taking time off from his previous race and coming off a strong 5f morning work. When last seen he set a strong pace and improved his position with a torrid 2nd quarter. (2) LUCAYAN PRINCE-the last time he was on dirt he faced Kelly Kip and Affirmed Success. They're not in here. With Baltimore Gray expected to come out firing, this Mottster can make his strong late run and pick up pieces. (7) REALITY ROAD-turns into a living monster on a wet track. Had no chance at all in the May 30 Jaipur. Breaking from the extreme outside post he pressed a solid pace and paid the price. 2 wins in his last 3 dirt sprints. RACE NINE (9) MINNIE'S BRAT-returns, and drops to the lowest level since her blowout win January 18. Veteran mare has tactical speed, and a rider who has 5 wins in 7 mounts for this trainer. READ THE CRYSTAL BALL! (1) DRIVINGMISSBERTIE (E)-switches back to Migliore off a sharply improved effot June 3 where she closed up the wood then galloped out well. ASAP made a strong but wide move on the drop, and missed in a photo. (3) PRIVATE TREATY-drops into the claiming ranks for the first time since breaking her maiden. Drops from a swift NW2x event where she sparred with stakes-bound filly Gather The Day. Likely to control the pace from inside. (6) ROCKY TURN-freshened up from a decent effort May 6 versus a stronger field. Vied for the lead through strong fractions that day and help well till deep stretch. Sports a fine 4f work and gets Robbie Davis. EVERY EFFORT HAS BEEN MADE TO ENSURE THE ACCURACY OF THE NUMBERS PROVIDED. HOWEVER, YOU MUST CONSULT THE OFFICIAL TRACK PROGRAM TO CONFIRM THEM BEFORE WAGERING. ********** BELMONT PARK REPORT FOR THE WEEK OF JUNE 9 - JUNE 13, 1999 THE WIZARD'S WEEKLY OBSERVATIONS: JUNE 9 SWAN LAKE (Race One): Stretch out sprinter went too fast early. Either needs to cutback or harness her speed. GALLY'S SLEW (Race Two): Held gamely on the deeper inside going despite setting a strong, pressured pace. GRITTY SANDIE (Race Four): Wide, sweeping closer will get it together soon and exit the maiden ranks. JUNE 10 FOREST DEPUTY (Race Two): Held stubbornly after setting a pressured pace. Claimed, he is likely headed to allowance company. TRICK E TICKET (Race Five): Showed some sneaky late run in this open company turf event. Could be headed back to state breds. JUNE 11 FALSE POSITIVE (Race Two): High priced New York bred firster took all the money, but had no chance. He threw a fit in the post parade, then was bumped soundly leaving the gate and rushed wide. The winner was very impressive in what appears to be a good pace and final time, so this could become a "key" race. WOLLASTINA (Race Nine): Set a three-wide pressured pace on a course where you had to be inside. JUNE 12 COMMON OBJECTIVE (Race One): New York bred firster delivered a monsterous debut. Given the fact that her dam and sire are both route oriented horses, it is conceivable that she will have her real future running long. LEAP TO FLAME (Race Two): Held pretty well after contesting a hard pace. COURTSIDE (Race Four): Clearly the horse to watch from this week. Michael Dickinson firster broke very slowly, then uncorked a huge but far too wide rally going a mile on the inside biased Widener turf. DIIVINE MISS (Race Five): Finished with interest and galloped out well coming off a freshening. Likely to be stretched out. TANGAZI (Race Six): Just a huge performance from this Mott colt as he reeled in the lone speed with contemptuous ease. Stakes bound. JUNE 13 LAWTON (Race One): Very game coming off a layoff and going a distance not his best. Also was pinned inside. LURICON (Race Four): Mott firster sired by champion Lure was a dead game second to a perfect trip winner. TALENT TO THE MAX (Race Four): Lost all chance when shuffled back and fanned too wide. SECRETARIAT'S TAP (Race Seven): Made a strong closing run despite getting fanned into the parking lot in the faster of two maiden divisions. BUY SELL OR HOLD (Race Seven): Stumbled at the break, was caught behind horses turning for home, then finished pretty well. SUMMER MIST (Race Seven): Was a bad favorite on a course were she figured to get fanned wide. That's exactly what happened, but her strong move on the turn suggests she can win this condition with the right set-up. NOBLE DAYS (Race Seven): Was with a strong pace while outside and between horses. Still battling away turning for home until outbrushed and squeezed back by the closers. RAIL: The condition of the inside part of the track on dirt was variable, but within a range of not being the best place to be. On the 9th, 10th, and 13th I would label it almost Honest to Outside - 1. On the 11th I would give it a solid Outside - 1 designation, and on the 12th, call it Outside - 1 1/2. Saturday was the dullest rail all week, followed by Friday. ALL DIRT: A mixture of running style were able to win last week, with the majority being either stalkers or pace pressers. Therefore I've designated dirt races all week as Stalk - 1. INNER TURF: The temporary rail was set at 18 feet all week. That seemed to have little effect on how THIS COURSE played, as I could see No Bias is running styles. WIDENER TURF: The temporary rail was set at 18 feet all week. HOWEVER, UNLIKE THE INNER TURF, THERE WAS A STRONG BIAS RESULT. There were ten races on the Widener last week, and all ten were won by horses running inside on the rail. Four were wires, four were stalking types, and two were closers. But the common theme was inside position. Only one of the ten winners even tipped off the rail turning for home. The other nine stayed inside. Wide trips were tickets to Palookaville last week on the Widener. TEST PROGRAM WIZARD_PAGEMAKER 'THE WIZARD' IS PUBLISHED DAILY DURING THE AQUEDUCT, BELMONT, & SARATOGA MEETS. CONTENTS COPYRIGHT 1999 BY WIZARD PUBLICATIONS, INC. REG U.S. PAT. AND TM. OFF. # 1,869,514 N.Y. TRADEMARK REG. # R-27384