With reduced prices on concessions, programs and Daily Racing Forms, Belmont Park yesterday celebrated the 100th anniversary of its opening. Hot dogs, which sold for 50 cents, were the most popular items of the day – NYRA ran out of them.
Opening day also meant the introduction of pre-race security barns. Horses scheduled to run on the day’s card had to be in place at the security barn by a designated time, according to which race they were running in. Belmont is the first racetrack in the country to have such procedures in place. “We know there will be minor inconveniences to everyone involved in racing here,” said NYRA VP Bill Nader, “but it is well worth it.”
No favorite won on the card, with winning payoffs going from a low of $7.80 to a high of $55. Gygistar came from off the pace to win the Grade 3 Westchester Handicap. Swingforthefences was 1 3/4 lengths behind in second and favored Value Plus was 83/4 lengths further back in third. Mark Hennig trained the winner, who ran the mile in 1:33.50. Javier Castellano was aboard.
2ND RACE – Favored Caw had a troubled start, leaping in the air when the gates opened and trailing the field early. He started to make a Belmont balcony run on the far turn to reach contention, but he had too much ground to make up and ended up third. Looming led every step of the way to gain the victory. Midas Gold lost all chance when Mike Luzzi lost his irons on the backstretch and the horse was eased. John G. Dooley, track announcer at Arlington and Fair Grounds, called the race. He was one of four guest announcers brought in to call the races along with Tom Durkin.
3RD RACE – Cornelio Velasquez had a ton of horse under him as Light Gun was caught behind horses on the far turn. In the stretch he angled Light Gun outside to a clear lane and the horse took off and drew away for the victory. Race was held up as A.P. Brit dumped Channing Hill and ran off. That horse was captured quickly and was able to run. One Day Soon dumped Jose Bermudez and ran off to the training track. He was declared a late scratch. John Imbriale, the popular racecaller who retired in February, called the race.
5TH RACE – Memories were brought back to many people as Marshall Cassidy called this race, the first time since Saratoga meet of 1990 that Cassidy called a race on NYRA circuit. The Cassidy pipes were as strong as ever as Look At Me Go Now, returning to face state-breds after two second-place finishes versus maiden specials at Penn National, took over the lead in the stretch and drew off to break her maiden at 26-1.
9TH RACE – Pick Six was not to be hit after Holly Rae, 3-for-4 in the money on the turf with no victories, was able to hold off Ohbeegeewhyen by a neck for the victory. Favored Tiara Gin, stepping up in class for her local debut after two third-place finishes at Gulfstream, was never a factor.
PICK SIX
Winning numbers: 1-7-1-4-4-6
No winners
5 consolation (5 of 6) winners each receives $2,162
Carryover: $32,441