**Please see attached photo of Christmas for Liam. Credit NYRA,
Friday, April 30, 2010
Contact: Jon Forbes
ELMONT, N.Y. – The holiday season arrived at Belmont Park early this year as Christmas for Liam kicked clear of seven opponents to break his maiden by 4 3/4 lengths Friday and become the ninth horse featured in the New York Watch series (http://www.nyra.com/nywatch/Bel_2010.html), which shines the spotlight on promising colts and fillies that have recently cleared the maiden and allowance ranks at Aqueduct Racetrack, Belmont Park, or Saratoga Race Course.
Debuting at Gulfstream Park on March 27, Christmas for Liam was pinched back at the break, made a steady rally on the far turn to offer a challenge at the top of the stretch, and flattened out late to finish third by 3 ¼ lengths.
The Edward P. Evans homebred received a much cleaner trip here at
“He broke pretty sharply and we had a nice pace in front of us,” said winning rider David Cohen. “They had him well prepared today, and I just swung him out at the top of the lane. It made my job very easy. He finished up very nice, and galloped out well. I definitely think he can handle more distance, if that’s what they ask of him.”
Jonathan Thomas, assistant to trainer Todd Pletcher, was happy with how the sophomore stalked the pace and spurted away when asked.
“With however he came out of the gate, we were going to let him find a spot, wherever that was,” said Thomas. “He’s still a maturing horse. With the way he ran, it looked like he was just finding his best stride towards the latter part of the race. It was probably the toughest maiden race we’ve had in
Christmas for Liam is from the lone crop of the late 2005 Horse of the Year and Grade 1 Breeders’ Cup Classic winner Saint Liam, and is out of the Gone West mare Gone for Christmas, a half-sister to the dam of 2007 Grade 1 Ashland winner Christmas Kid. The family could strike again at
Many of the industry’s brightest stars embarked upon their careers at the NYRA tracks, including a number of recent Triple Crown race winners. Big Brown, Jazil, Birdstone, Funny Cide, and Empire Maker are all among the
The list also includes a brilliant triumvirate of fillies that broke their maidens at Aqueduct. Flashing, Little Belle, and Music Note all registered their first victories at the Big A before going on to win major Grade 1 races within the last two years.
-30-
