Belmont Park, Race 2 – Friday, May 12, 2023
By 2YO EdgeMan
BEL2:051223 – 5f on the turf. Seven are entered to compete – six colts and one gal – all will be having a go at racing for the first time in their young lives. Wesley Ward has two raring to go, as does James Chapman. Other notable trainers in this one include Weaver, Clement, and Maker. Also, on the sire front, Distorted Humor, Malibu Moon, Bolt d’Oro, and Ghostzapper each have one runner to represent them. Let’s jump right in and sort this out for you…
#1 – Twisted Filigree (6/1) – George Weaver trains this colt who is sired by Distorted Humor (pensioned after the 2021 breeding season) and is out of a Kodiac mare who was 2/9 on track with $30,000 in prize money. This guy sold for $125K as a yearling last year and has one ½ sibling who is unraced. He has been working a mix of three and four-furlong drills down in the sunshine state at Palm Beach Downs. Weaver is looking for his first 2YO MSW winner at a Belmont Spring Meet dating back to at least 2018 (seven starts). Eric Cancel will take the leg up.
#2 – Mourne Mountains (4/1) – This one is the lone filly trying to punch the boys in the nose. She is by Malibu Moon and sold last year for $140K. Mom was an excellent runner having won five times from 18 starts and cashing in for $265K for her owners. Additionally, she won at first asking at Deauville in August of her 2YO campaign. Lastly, she’s thrown two decent offspring, although none too special. Mr. Ward is the trainer and he’s certainly always dangerous as he’s the leader with seven MSW baby race wins at Belmont in the spring going back to 2018. This gal started her work tab at Turfway Park and then vanned over to KEE where she’s been out in the morning on three occasions. Her first effort over that strip was a dandy, going three panels in 35.8 starting out of the gate (1/28). Ward’s go to rider in these races has been called – Joel Rosario.
#3 – Air Invasion (3/1) – Air Force Blue is the proud papa to this colt who is owned by Reeves Thoroughbred Racing. Mom won twice on track in 10 tries with earnings of $84,000, however, her claim to fame is a colt that she threw who is currently a 3YO who’s started his young career going 7 for 10 ($564K) with a G3 victory already in the books. Today’s runner sold for $105K at Keeneland September Yearling sale last fall. Christopher Clement has worked him five times at Payson Park with his most recent a week ago going a snappy 36.4 over 3f (1/4). Manny Franco takes the mount.
#6 – Heathcliff (2/1) – The morning line favorite is also the second entry in here for WW. He’s a Peachtree Stable homebred by Ghostzapper. His dam was winless and this is her first foal. Like his stablemate, he’s been working in Lexington at Keeneland having put in seven drills there. He earned a bullet in two of his seven efforts – back on 4/3 going 3f in 35.8 (1/10) and also his last also covering three panels, this time in 36.00 from the gate on 5/2/23 (1/25). Jose Ortiz will be his pilot.
#7 – Ship Cadet (3/1) – As you may have pieced together from his name, this Cal-bred is by Midshipman out of a Harbor the Gold mare. He sold nicely hammering down for $79K as a yearling placing him tenth most expensive as a 2022 yearling from his sire from 42 that sold. Mike Maker who is 4 for 14 (28.6%) from 2018 through 2022 at Belmont’s Spring Meets in these 2YO MSW affairs will tighten the girth on this colt. Maker has shipped this fella up from KY after he made all six of his morning works at Churchill’s Training Center, none too speedy. Irad gets the call to knock heads with his bro and the seven other reinsmen.
Pick – #2 Mourne Mountains – I’m going with the filly over the boys in this one – Girl Power! The dam was terrific and I really like that she won at first asking as a 2YO on the other side of the pond. She’s shown some speed in the morning and Ward certainly can get it done. Morning Line odds of 4/1 would be nice – but likely will get bet down.
The fun just keeps on keeping on in this one. A bit of a short field, but some fine bloodlines, really good trainers and top notch riders makes for a dandy affair. Enjoy this one and well cover it after the race is complete, as always, with our ‘Sum Up and Learnings’ piece. Go Edgies!
