Moscow Burning parlayed a ridiculously easy pace into a gate-to-wire win in the Grade 2 $150,000 Sheepshead Bay Handicap at Belmont yesterday.
Under Mike Smith, Moscow Burning strolled through six furlongs in 1:17 3/5 before opening up a bit on Meridiana, who was on her tail most of way. In stretch, favorite Spice Island and Jerry Bailey tried to make a late run but couldn’t cut into lead, with Moscow Burning hitting the line a length to the good of Spice Island, with Meridiana third. Trained by James Cassidy, Moscow Burning covered the mile-and-three-eighth in 2:18 1/5, returning $10.40.
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There is something for everyone in today’s Grade 3, seven-furlong $100,000 Jaipur on the grass at Belmont. If you’re looking for a horse trying grass for first time, take your pick of three, including stakes winners Multiple Choice and Great Notion, or the N.Y.-bred Unswept. For the ladies, Dedication will cut back in distance and try the boys having won the G3 Beaugay at Aqueduct in her latest effort. California shipper Geronimo satisfies the needs of those that play the West Coast angle, while Banned in Boston ships in from the Midwest and owns a win at the distance on the lawn.
4th RACE – Jean-Luc Samyn won his second race in two days, rallying from off hotly contested pace to win this going away aboard Ringold. Favored entry of Wild South and Illusionary Magic never really fired, finishing third and fourth at 3-5.
6th RACE – Dynamic Vision didn’t have the best of trips in here. After breaking slowly, “Vision” pulled jockey Dale Whittaker into contention before checking down backside. “Vision” found himself running uphill along rail in stretch before finishing fourth. Give “Vision” another look next out.
PICK SIX
Winning numbers 2-7-5-5-7-8
No winners
14 consolation (5 of 6) winners
each receives $8,870
Carryover: $524,997