Tuesday Evening Notes
– After losing the Adirondack and Spinaway Stakes at Saratoga by a combined 50 lengths, Phantom Income returned to winning form on Saturday in the NATC Futurity at Meadowlands (Blood-Horse). Sent off at 8-1, the two-year-old filly pressed the early pace, then squeezed through on the inside to win by 4 1/2 lengths over New York City Girl. Final time for the six furlong race was 1:09. An impressive debut winner at Belmont in July, Phantom Income was declared a non-starter in the Adirondack after a gate incident marred the break, leaving the second favorite trailing the field by several lengths. Trainer Rick Violette told Thoroughbred Daily News last month that the incident had set the talented-but-temperamental filly back mentally, requiring gate-schooling anew. “It has been a big problem,” he said. “We have had her back to the gate every day.” The conditioner must be hopeful that Saturday’s score is a sign Phantom is feeling good again.
– Undefeated Withers winner Divine Park, out of training since May with an injury to his left hind foot, worked three furlongs in :36.82 at Belmont Park this morning. Divine Park was expected to start in the Ohio Derby and was being pointed to the Haskell; no word yet on what trainer Kiaran McLaughlin might be planning for the Chester House colt in coming months.
– Over on FormBlog, Dan Illman gives a tutorial on spotting lead changes.
– I knew there was a reason I took a shine to Fabulous Strike at Belmont: The Vosburgh winner has Boston connections (Lowell Sun).
– Oh, and there were a few big Breeders’ Cup prep races across the country this weekend. Check out Superfecta, Mann, and Crist for all the details.
