Thursday Night Notes - June 30

- Botanical won his U.S. debut for Godolphin in the feature allowance at Belmont Thursday. He was last seen just a length behind in third to Saratoga County in the Sprint at Dubai. He was 2-5 and check out the chart comment:

BOTANICAL stumbled leaving the gate, was bumped after the start, quickly showed in front, set the pace along the inside while in hand, drew away when asked and cruised home under mild encouragement, winning with speed to spare.

He’s a 4 yo by Seeking the Gold out of a Shadeed mare and a half to several European stakes winners including 2005 Dubai winner Satin Kiss. His time was 1:09.23; he came home in 12.22.

All first time starters in a 2 year old race in the 2nd, and the money showed on the winner, Pletcher’s Stonesider, a Giant’s Causeway colt out of Black Eyed Susan winner Added Gold (Gilded Time).

Keep an eye on Scott Lake, starting to heat up after a dismal start. He teamed with Elbar Coa to take the 5th with Athena Girl. Edgar Prado had three winners.

- Commentator was given a Beyer of 121 for his 7 furlongs in 1:20.23, and Steve Crist writes in the Form (sub/print ed only) that that’s no joke.

Commentator's 121 is the second best Beyer Figure earned by anyone in American racing this year, behind only Ghostzapper's 122 in the Met Mile.

Since 2000, only five horses have run a Beyer higher than 120 in a race at a mile or shorter: Ghostzapper's 122 in the Met equaled Swept Overboard's 2002 Met and 2001 Ancient Title, and Aldebaran's 2003 Forego. Left Bank in the 2002 Tom Fool and Shake You Down in the 2003 Smile both ran 121's.