Mother Goose - June 25th 2011

Race Conditions:          Grade 1, 3YO, F, 8.5F, Dirt, Belmont Park

Race Class Par:                            98 
Race Class Rating:                       93
Winner's Time/Quality Rating:     93.5

Pace:                                            Slow/Average Early, Average Middle, Average Late
Track Bias:                                   Honest

Race Comments: Despite a deep and strong 3YO filly division, the absence of several of the leaders of the division made the 2011 Mother Goose more a solid Grade 2 event than a legitimate Grade 1 race. 


Notable Performances:

1. Buster's Ready - much improved filly staked the pace 2 wide turn and out kicked the others through the stretch impressively.

2. Joyful Victory - sat behind horses 2 wide turn, swung out 4 wide late turn for the stretch run, wore down R Gypsy Gold for the place late, but didn't have near the kick of the winner. This was a somewhat disappointing effort coming off two big wins against weaker and a decent 4th in a solid Kentucky Oaks field despite racing on a bad rail for some of the race.

3. R Gypsy Gold - stalked to the pace 3 wide turn and just failed to hold the place against Joyful Victory in a good effort.