Belmont Park Backstretch Notes – Friday, October 10. October 11th, 2008
Belmont Park Backstretch Notes – Friday, October 10.
Trainer Dominic Galluscio still hopes he can be Mr. October again this year on New York Showcase Day, Saturday, October 18 at Belmont Park. Galluscio will be seeking his third straight victory in the days feature race, the $250,000 Empire Classic for New York-breds, three and up, at nine furlongs. He won the race in 2006 with Organizer and last year with Dr. Vs Magic, both for Majesty Stud. Dr. Vs Magic has had some setbacks, so were going to try his sister, Raffies Treasure in there, Galluscio said. She had a nice win the other day (October 1) and there are not a whole lot of other spots for fillies going long this time of year. Like her brother, Raffies Treasure is by Raffies Majesty out of the Summer Squall mare Treasure Always. A 3-year-old, she is the only filly nominated to the 33rd running of the Empire Classic. Also expected for the Empire Classic are August Forever Stables Dr. D.F.C., Lianna Stables Lorccan, Tri County Stables Love Abroad, Coastal Racing Stables R Clear Victory, Gold Squares Spanky Fischbein, Louis Zitos Stud Muffin, Clear Stars Stables Thatsrightofficer and Tina Marie Bonds Tommasi. The Empire Classic will be the final leg of a $400,000 guaranteed Pick 4.
New York Showcase day is dedicated to the New York State Thoroughbred Breeding & Racing Program, which has grown to become a lucrative program for breeders and owners. The two top turf races that day are the 30th running of the Mohawk Handicap for three-year-olds and up and the 28th running of the Ticonderoga for fillies and mares, 3 and up. Both races are at nine furlongs on the inner turf course and both races carry purses of $150,000. Likely for the Mohawk are Bembridge Farms Al Basha, Nyala Farms Banrock, John T. Beckers Classic Pack, Hampshire Farms Give Me Credit, Louis J. Marinos Logic Way, Dee Zee Stables Sky Dragon, New Day Racings Stepaside and Winning Move Stables Stunt Man. Probable for the Ticonderoga are E El R Stables Chestoria, Dee Zee Stables Latitude Forty, Laue Ranchs Love Cove, Barry K. Schwartzs Nedjma, Statehouse Stables Nehantic Kat, Amherst Stables Rewrite and Craig Bernicks You Go West Girl. Sprinters also play a part on New York Showcase Day. Expected to take part in the 31st running of the $125,000 Hudson Handicap for three-year-olds at up at six furlongs are Sanford J. Goldfarbs Ferocious Fires, Henry C. Gregorys Gold and Roses, Thomas J. Kellys Good Card, Charlton Bakers Johnie Bye Night, Zayat Stables Premium Wine, Lael Stables Rollers and IEAH Stables Stormin Normandy. In the 30th running of the $125,000 Iroquois Handicap for state-bred fillies and mares at seven furlongs, Jay Em Ess Stables By the Light, Lansdon B. Robbins IIIs Ice Cool Kitty, George Boltons Jet Setting, Akindale Farms My Dinah, Trinity Farms Precise Lady, Dogwood Stables Street Sass, Kenneth and Sarah Ramseys Talking Treasure and Michael Pegrams Under Serviced figure to contend.
Completing the stakes program on New York Showcase Day are two one-mile juvenile races: the 15th running of $100,000 Sleepy Hollow and the 15th running of the $100,000 Maid of the Mist for two-year-old fillies. Expected for the Sleepy Hollow are Fiddlers Green Stables Fiddlers Afleet, Masie Stables Head Heart Hoof, Donnie Kellys Remarkable Storm, Jayeff B. Stables Straight Story, Michael Yurchs Tall Poppi, James C. Donnans Trinity Magic and Jeffrey Tuckers Uncle T Seven. Probable for the Maid of the Mist are Sugar Maple Farms Anjorie, RFCC Horsemen Stables Chartreux, Repole Stables Got Clearance, Lawrence Goichmans High Cry, Edition Farms Ouchy Night, John Conforts Our Golden Dream, Sugar Maple Farms Sarah Accomplished, First Class Thoroughbreds Seek On, Joseph H. Pierce Jr.s Sneakin Up and Chevalier Stables Thunder Reigns.
In addition to the seven New York-bred stakes races, with purse money totaling $1 million, New York Showcase Day is also a great day for family fun. A pumpkin patch, hay rides, pumpkin carving and a scarecrow hunt are all part of the free festivities in Belmont Parks beautiful backyard from noon until 4 p.m. From 11 a.m. until 4 p.m. in the festival tent, a premium sampling area offers whisky and wine tasting, hand-rolled cigars, massages, and live music, all free of charge.