Plato’s Love closed well on the hedge and edged out Doctor Cat by a nose to win the $83,150 Kingston Handicap for statebred 3-year-olds and up on the Belmont turf yesterday. It was another three-quarters of a length behind to Draw Shot in third. Final time for the 1 1/8 miles was 1:49.
Ridden by Mike Luzzi and trained by Warren Pascuma, this was the third career stakes victory for Plato’s Love. He previously won the West Point Handicap at Saratoga last year and the Mohawk Handicap on this course and distance in 1998. As for his next start: “We’ve got a lot of options,” said Pascuma, “so I’m not exactly sure when he’ll run next.”
Apprentice Norberto Arroyo Jr. was suspended 10 days for careless riding aboard Glitter Bond during the ninth race Saturday. Glitter Bond bore out and forced Rosecat to check in midtsretch. Arroyo has appealed the suspension and is granted a stay. This is the third suspension that Arroyo is appealing. So far he has accumulated a total of 40 days from three different suspensions that he is appealing.
1ST RACE – Home On the Ridge is a classy veteran who has seen better days, but he still has a good turn of foot. His only problem is that he has been getting caught in the stretch drive in recent starts. He set a fast pace and looked comfortably in front at the top of the stretch. But Thunder Breeze stalked the pace on the outside and wore down Home On the Ridge to gain the victory.
2ND RACE – Shaun Bridgmohan rode with complete confidence on the Frank Alexander first time starter Cardinal Concern. He stalked the pace while three wide and was not asked for run by Bridgmohan until the top of the stretch. When asked, he kicked into gear and drew off for the victory. Open Bore had the lead turning for home and held on well to finish second. Three Day Jack was bothered at the start when Very Crafty bore in. He trailed the field for most of the race but then put in a nice run in the stretch to finish sixth. One to watch next time out.
3RD RACE – Favored Neptune’s Bride rated off the pace while wide. She made a three wide move into contention and then chased Quidnaskra on the far turn when she tried to draw away. Neptune’s Bride took the lead at the top of the stretch but then could not hold off La Ville Rouge for the victory. La Ville Rouge stumbled at the start and then was squeezed back to last. But Mike Luzzi did not panic and then angled La Ville Rouge outside for clear run and went on for the victory.
5TH RACE – Boston Brat set a fast pace and went out to a lengthy lead. He had the lead at the top of the stretch but then tired from his early efforts and finished fourth. Call It Off rated between horses and then angled outside for the stretch drive. He closed well for the victory in his turf debut. Top Bunk was sent off the favorite and closed to be a non-threatening second.
7TH RACE – Southern Ivy is one of those horses that seems to find trouble whenever she runs. She rated off the pace while saving ground and then angled outside on the far turn when she started her run. She was full of run turning for home and tried to angle outside for a clear run to the wire. But she did not have a seam to angle through and had to wait until Efficient Frontier moved up to gain the lead. Southern Ivy did angle out when she had room and closed well to finish second behind Efficient Frontier. One day she will get the clean trip and get up for the victory.
9TH RACE – Altibr was sent off the favorite, partially based on his Group 3 victory over eventual Fort Marcy winner Spindrift in the Dubai Duty Free on the Dubai World Cup undercard last year. He showed good speed and set the pace early, but then Gander moved up on the rail to take over the lead. Gander then set the pace the rest of the way and drew off for the victory. Altibr started to tire on the far turn and beat only one horse. Appearing Now closed well and split horses before outlasting Charles Notcharlie for the place spot.
PICK SIX
Winning numbers: 3-5-10-2-10-8
No winners
2 consolation (5 of 6) winners
each receives $7,433
Carryover: $44,600.32
