9/20: Belmont Steeplechase

[Flatterer]

Steeplechase returns to Belmont for a Novice and Handicap stake in races 1 and 2.

There are 3 fences on the front side and 3 fences on the backside. The Novice Entenmann has 9 jumps with a 5/8 mile flat run after the last fence. #4 Mutasaawy is a scratch in The Entenmann race 1. The Lonesome Glory Handicap features 10 fences with the same 5/8 mile flat run after the last fence.

Joe Clancy has a comprehensive review of all runners and selections at the following links

https://thisishorseracing.com/news/i...-steeplechases

https://thisishorseracing.com/news/i...t-belmont-park

Talked to trainer Ricky Hendricks after winning the last 2 jump races at Saratoga and he said Surprising Soul will run next at Far Hills. He was going to hold Optimus Prime back until Far Hills but Optimus Prime has been training so well that he is bringing him back today. Ricky says Optimus Prime is like a motorcycle with another gear when needed – and had another gear in reserve when he won the Turf Writers. Detroit Blues and Zanjabeel have been pointing for a return at Belmont.

Race 1

Pace will be honest and #5 Boss Man will try to steal it on the front end. #1 Gibralfaro is the class and #3 Belasarius for the Dalton’s will be dangerous with the best turf speed. #2 No Wunder has a dangerous closing kick.

A) #1 Gibralfaro
B) #3 Belasarius, #2 No Wunder
C) #5 Boss Man, #6 Detroit Blues

Race 2

There is absolutely no pace so 144 pound lightweight #7 Personal Start will play catch me if you can but the 2 ½ mile distance will be too far. #6 Clarcam gets no weight break and lost momentum at every fence in the Turf Writers because he was jumping each hurdle like it was the 5 foot 3 inch “Chair” fence in England’s Grand National. Trainer Ricky Hendricks has the best runners with #4 Zanjabeel and #5 Optimus Prime.

A) #4 Zanjabeel, #5 Optimus Prime

Good luck at the races!

PS- I’m heading to High Hope at the Kentucky Horse Park in Lexington on Sunday for their inaugural fall meet. There will be lots of action with 3 pony races, 4 hurdle races, 1 timber race, 1 flat race and 2 side saddle races.