Conquistador_Cielo_Belmont

Conquistador Cielo - winner 1982 Belmont Stakes

Race Comments: CONQUISTADOR CIELO, very wide into the first turn, opened a clear advantage while racing well out in the track nearing the backstretch, continued wide while making the pace, responded readily when challenged by HIGH ASCENT, shook off that rival before going nine furlongs and drew off steadily under a hand ride. GATO DEL SOL, reserved early, moved up outside horses midway of the far turn, continued very wide into the stretch but was no match for the winner while besting the others. ILLUMINATE, badly outrun for a mile, saved grounds into the stretch while rallying but lacked a further response. LINKAGE, never far back while under light restraint, rallied while racing well out in the track racing into the far turn, remained a factor to the stretch and gave way. HIGH ASCENT, well placed into the backstretch, made a run along the inside to engage CONQUISTADOR CIELO approaching the end of the backstretch, remained a factor until near the stretch but had nothing left. LEJOLO, badly outrun early, made up some ground approaching the stretch but lacked a further response. ESTORIL had no apparent excuse. ROYAL ROBERTO saved ground to no avail. ALOMA'S RULER, away alertly, was allowed to follow the leader into the backstretch and was finished at the far turn. ANEMAL, hustled to the front along the inside at the first turn, stopped badly. CUT AWAY wasn't able to keep up through the run down the backstretch and was eased during the late stages. LEJOLI raced with mid caulks.