Surfrider will be the colt to beat if the Belmont feature stays on turf
There is a mild dilemma going over a second level optional $50,000 claiming feature at Belmont Park, regarding which surface the race will be run on, whether it be the turf surface or the main track, but the decider of that will be the weather itself, because if the weather stays gloomy with rain around, the race will be moved to the main track from turf.
Originally set to go underway on the Belmont Park’s turf course, eight horses were entered for the seven furlong sprint, but if in any case the race is moved the main track, than we have six entered for the dirt track.
There is a forecast for some unsettled weather for Tuesday and Wednesday, but regardless on which surface it is run, the optional claimer has drawn in a competitive field.
On paper, the 4-year-old colt, Surfrider appears to be the one to beat, and with a Group 3 in France already in the bag, and a third place finish in a Group 1 race over the same course where Goldikova was the second place finisher, Surfrider is definitely the horse to beat in Belmont’s feature.
Eddie Kenneally trained Surfrider has made only one start in the U.S. and it was one of those races soon to be forgotten.
The Dansili colt finished a dismal fifth on the day to winner, Perfect Officer, in the Grade 3 Shakertown Stakes at Keeneland on 14 April, 2012, over a distance of 5 ½ furlongs.
The fourth and sixth place finishers of that race, Havelock and Great Attack have gone on to win turf sprints, respectively.
“Nothing went right for him at Keeneland,” said Eddie Kenneally, the trainer of Surfrider. “He got off to a slow start and it was only 5 1/2 furlongs, which is too short for him. Seven furlongs is going to be a much better fit. I think he’s trained really well and gained a lot from the experience first time in America.”
Out of Rahy mare Ecoutila, Surfrider was ridden by Ramon Dominguez in the Grade 3 Shakertown and according the colt’s trainer he will retain the ride for the Belmont’s feature.
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