Fourth of July: It's A Sunny Day!

Good Day Sunshine (The Beatles, 1966)

And it was. OK. I arrived at Belmomt Park about 2:30, some time after the fourth race. So I'm not the betting kind, at least not on this Fourth of July, but what a glorious day after so many Rain (The Beatles, 1966) days in June that poured into July. But there was no rain today, and three grand ol' stakes races were run and a crowd of more than 7,000 showed up at this massive racetrack. They were the lucky ones -- at the top of the stretch are private BBQ areas for groups, and a grassy area for families who just want to toss out a picnic blanket and kick back and enjoy the day.
Of course, I was lucky enough to be invited to a birthday party in one of the BBQ areas (for Teresa, or Brooklyn Backstretch) _ and I made the most of it: one really well done hot dog with mustard and kraut, a couple of cans of Molson and a few bakery cookies. Mm mm.
Then it was time for the stakes _ races. Loved Just Ben in the Dwyer, especially after watching him romp on the Belmont Stakes undercard. Oh well. Just Ben is just plain no good in the stretch and Kensei, apparently a fictional name based on a real person named Miyamoto Musashi, who is believed to have been one of the most skilled swordsmen in history and the greatest samurai. Cool, huh? Maybe it's true.
Anyway, the horse is owned by Jess Jackson of Curlin and Rachel Alexandra fame. So now Jess has a 3-year-old colt on the rise to go with his fabulous filly Rachel. He was in the winner's circle, touting his new star, and saying he's looking at Saratoga or other options or Monmouth Park. OK, we'll wait to see where he ends up.
Calvin Borel, a favorite topic, was aboard Warrior's Reward in the Dwyer. They stumbled badly at the start and finished third. The Jim Dandy is next for him.
In the Prioress, it was Cat Moves -- the least experience filly in the field -- beating eight rivals to make her record 3-for-3 for trainer Tony Dutrow. The Test at Saratoga on Aug. 8 is next.
And finally, the 123rd running of Suburban gave good ol' (don't tell 'em my age) Barclay Tagg his first stakes win in New York this year when Dry Martini rallied from last to first. Asiatic Boy held on for second in a Suburban devoid of an older star (perhaps this is why the race was downgraded to a Grade 2 -- although the purse was $400,000) ...
Also on the day, Mike Smith was selected to ride Mine That Bird in the West Virginia Derby _ Calvin blew his chance by not committing to the gelding. Good move by Chip Woolley. Back to Belmont and when all was said and done, it was a lovely day at the track -- and that's a good thing.