Latent Heat Wins Opening Day Feature at Belmont

Latent Heat took charge midway on the turn and cruised to a 3-length victory Friday in the $50,000 allowance feature on opening day at Belmont Park.

Edgar Prado, the leading jockey at the Saratoga meet that ended Monday, kept Latent Heat close to the pace set by Saint Daimon and Bank President.

A promising 3-year-old Maria's Mon Juddmonte Farms homebred colt trained by Hall of Famer Bobby Frankel, Latent Heat needed only mild urging through the lane to improve his career record to four wins in seven starts. The winner was a Triple Crown prospect until a shin injury sidelined him in the spring.

The time was 1:35.34 for the mile on the fast track.

Latent Heat paid $3, $2.40, and $2.10. Tinseltown rallied for second and paid $8 and $2.70. Bucharest, coupled in the betting with Bank President, paid $2.10 to show.

The Belmont meet runs through Oct. 22.