Anytime a four race sequence returns $3337 for a buck there is some serious volatility, beaten favorites and headscratching winners. Yesterday at Belmont was no different. Leg one featured a pair of NY maidens that were dropping into claimers for the first time; Mr. Tough Enough ($16.80) and Seeking No More no factor at 19-10. The former had been out twice and benn blown away as many times, but his last was completely excusable. The gelding recieved first blinkers and drew the one hole at seven panels on a sealed muddy surface. Never a good thing, being steadied and checked sharply added to the debacle. Since that race he breezed twice nicely for former longtime NY outrider Barbara who got a determined ride by the upcoming Garcia. Seeking No More had a lousy work pattern and the fact that his connections did not try a dirt straight maiden raised a flag. We tried He's Tough as well and this one looked malnourished while delaying the start some five minutes and we would not recommend betting this trainer again.

Leg two got us involved in the sequence with all the pre race internet buzz about the Godolphin runner EMIRATES TO DUBAI. He was up against it from the beginning, drawing poorly with the rail in use but nonetheless was bet down to some 3-2. The son of Storm Cat passed on a logical spot 8/25 upstate opting instead for this Widener course mile which is much softer than a two turn heat. Always well placed and never far back under GoGo on the three peat, the bin Suroor 4yo saved some ground around the bend but put his head up in the air coming to the pole, indicating possible respiratory issues and just nailed the rank 23-1 pacesetter for fourth money. Interesting to see how long this one takes to work back. Our play, Prince Rahy raced well but is a tough ride and Coa did well to get the place money with a solid inside rally. Singling a horse that is 2 for 20 often leads to torn tickets. The winner was a hombred from the Clement barn (Operation Red Dawn, $23.40) and was excluded because of a jump in class, only one race in over a year, none since May and a penchant for finishing second with a half dozen runnerups in ten starts. Leaving Clement off your ticket in a grass race is also a good recipe for torn tickets.

The stake was scratched down to four as everyone was scared off by the resumes of the two favorites. Neither ran a jump with Tiz Wonderful being vanned off and Ez Warrior finishing last! Competent cappers know short fields can lead to bizarre finishes and this overnight stake certainly contained chaos. Contessa is capable of gettig one to jump up in a big way but this one was hard to predict. Three scratches and three no shows later Stunt Man ($25.20) roars down the lane under big weight winning easily. Some will say he took advantage of a speed duel but the truth is that the maiden claimer featured faster splits. A bit embarrassing going three long and omitting the winner but detest adding horses because they might win.

The last leg featured the turf sprint that has become ubiquitous on the NY circuit and a favorite finally came thru. Sleeping Indian ($5.60) got a perfect trip and won in a quick 1:08 and change to complete the pick four with the payoff similar to the parlay. Of our other two Cherokee Flare looks a career maiden and Frank's Friend was bet way down and showed absolutely nothing for the solid Frankel and underachieving Hennig respectively. A fun afternoon but going back to the midwest. BBB