Friday, October 10, 2008

BELMONT NOTES, Friday, October 10, 2008

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 day’s 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. V’s Magic, both for Majesty Stud.

“Dr. V’s Magic has had some setbacks, so we’re going to try his sister, Raffie’s 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, Raffie’s Treasure is by Raffie’s 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 Stable’s Dr. D.F.C., Lianna Stables’ Lorccan, Tri County Stable’s Love Abroad, Coastal Racing Stable’s R Clear Victory, Gold Square’s Spanky Fischbein, Louis Zito’s Stud Muffin, Clear Stars Stable’s That’srightofficer and Tina Marie Bond’s Tommasi.

The Empire Classic will be the final leg of a $400,000 guaranteed Pick 4.

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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 Farm’s Al Basha, Nyala Farm’s Banrock, John T. Becker’s Classic Pack, Hampshire Farms’ Give Me Credit, Louis J. Marino’s Logic Way, Dee Zee Stable’s Sky Dragon, New Day Racing’s Stepaside and Winning Move Stable’s Stunt Man.

Probable for the Ticonderoga are E El R Stable’s Chestoria, Dee Zee Stable’s Latitude Forty, Laue Ranch’s Love Cove, Barry K. Schwartz’s Nedjma, Statehouse Stable’s Nehantic Kat, Amherst Stable’s Rewrite and Craig Bernick’s 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. Goldfarb’s Ferocious Fires, Henry C. Gregory’s Gold and Roses, Thomas J. Kelly’s Good Card, Charlton Baker’s Johnie Bye Night, Zayat Stables’ Premium Wine, Lael Stable’s 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 Stable’s By the Light, Lansdon B. Robbins III’s Ice Cool Kitty, George Bolton’s Jet Setting, Akindale Farm’s My Dinah, Trinity Farm’s Precise Lady, Dogwood Stable’s Street Sass, Kenneth and Sarah Ramsey’s Talking Treasure and Michael Pegram’s Under Serviced figure to contend.

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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 Stable’s Fiddler’s Afleet, Masie Stable’s Head Heart Hoof, Donnie Kelly’s Remarkable Storm, Jayeff B. Stable’s Straight Story, Michael Yurch’s Tall Poppi, James C. Donnan’s Trinity Magic and Jeffrey Tucker’s Uncle T Seven.

Probable for the Maid of the Mist are Sugar Maple Farm’s Anjorie, RFCC Horsemen Stable’s Chartreux, Repole Stable’s Got Clearance, Lawrence Goichman’s High Cry, Edition Farm’s Ouchy Night, John Confort’s Our Golden Dream, Sugar Maple Farm’s Sarah Accomplished, First Class Thoroughbreds’ Seek On, Joseph H. Pierce Jr.’s Sneakin Up and Chevalier Stable’s Thunder Reigns.

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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 Park’s 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.

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