It’s been a rough start to the Belmont meet for me but I’m hoping to turn things around today, 10 solid races on today’s card with a first post of 12:50 pm est. Best of luck if you’re playing along and follow me on twitter @cjfelts87.
Daily Gallop stats: Total: 377-94-74-74 (25% win, 64% ITM)
Race 1 CLM 16k N2L 3up, 1 1/16 miles
Selections: 5-6-7
Top Pick: #5 Judicial Restraint is the second choice on the morning line at 9-5, broke his maiden last out at the maiden 30k level in the slop at Saratoga, that beyer makes him competitive here as he faces winners for the first time. Jose Ortiz stays on for Chad Brown who as of late is 20/42 with claimers. Like his chances here as he goes out for top connections.
Next up: #6 Blood Moon is the even money favorite who drops back down to this level after running against starter 50k company last out, he ran second as the favorite two back against similar which makes me hesitant to put him on top as the favorite again but has early speed and should be competitive for Linda Rice and Jose Lezcano.
Race 2 MCL 20k F&M 3up, 6.5 furlongs
Selections: 4-5-1
Top Pick: #4 Wishes and Dreams had a solid try at this level last time and now gets another chance today, improving filly looks good today in this spot.
Next up: #5 Lady Commissioner ships over from Finger Lakes after just missing against maidens there, certainly is eligible to improve as Eric Cancel takes the mount.
Race 3 AOC 40k n2x state bred F&M 3up, 6 furlongs turf
Selections: 5-7-3-2
Top Pick: #5 Speightstown Gal has had a couple of solid tries at the level and is in good enough form to be in contention today. Castellano stays on for George Weaver and has the tactical speed to stay involved.
Next up: #7 Merlins Muse is a price on the ML but he is eligible to improve second off the layoff and loses some weight with bug rider Cardenas aboard who is off to a fine start this meet.
Race 4 MSW 63k F&M 3up, 6 furlongs
Selections: 1-6
Top Pick: #1 Back Channel just missed last time out, now gets another try and should be the clear cut winner if she can improve off that effort. Lezcano and Rice team up again here.
Next up: #6 Undine is making her 3 year old debut and she is eligible to improve off her debut run, now with a new trainer and gets Lasix for the first time.
Race 5 CLM 14k N3L 3up, 7 furlongs
Selections: 7-4-2-1
Top Pick: #7 Mr. Shortandsimple is a first time gelding dropping in class, gets a jock upgrade to Jose Ortiz and has early speed that makes him competitive in this spot. 6-1 ML seems like an overlay so we’ll take a shot with him here.
Next up: #4 Bobbyfromthepalm won at the N2L level three back and that was routing, now drops back down to where he should run better and is in good form. Carmouche takes the mount for Bruce Brown.
Race 6 ALW 65k n1x 3up, 1 ¼ miles turf
Selections: 11-8-5
Top Pick: Usually in these 1 ¼ miles turf races there’s at least one or two who have won at the distance but not in this race so you’ll have to do a little more guessing than usual and here I landed with #11 Doswell. Has speed drawing the outside and can improve second off the layoff as he stretches out and Jose Ortiz stays aboard.
Next up: #8 Junkanoo is a winner over the Belmont surface as he comes back here first off the layoff for Chad Brown, not too often you see him team up with Jose Lezcano but they have done so at a 35% clip. Will be in contention if he is ready to run off the layoff.
Race 7 MSW 51k restricted fillies 2yo, 6 furlongs
Selections: 2-5
Top Pick: #2 Lutescoot N Boogie ran at this level on debut then improved facing tougher second time out, now comes back to facing restricted maidens and will be very tough in this spot with improvement. Jose Ortiz gets the call for Steve Asmussen.
Next up: #5 Malibu Luna is the only other in here with experience and that should play to her advantage, Alvarado stays aboard for Bill Mott.
Race 8 AOC 80k n1x 3up, 1 1/16 miles turf
Selections: 6-5
Top Pick: #6 Irish Mias offers a nice price at 4-1 ML as he drops in from stakes company to his eligible condition, certainly has the back class to be competitive here as Manny Franco keeps the mount for Graham Motion.
Next up: #5 Basquiat is the 5-2 ML favorite for Chad Brown and Jose Ortiz, solid effort at this level last time and now he gets another chance here. Stretches out a bit and CB is always dangerous on turf.
Race 9 The Bertram F. Bongard Stakes 100k state bred 2yo, 7 furlongs
Selections: 5-1-7-4
Top Pick: #5 Thin White Duke won a similar stakes last time going 6.5 panels and now gets a little added distance, Manny Franco gets back aboard as he goes for a second win in a row.
Next up: #1 Half Right is eligible to improve off his win on debut, now stretches out to 7 furlongs facing winners as Javier Castellano gets aboard.
Race 10 MCL 40k state bred 3up, 6 furlongs turf
Selections: 5-7-1
Top Pick: #5 Frat ran a strong race last time and just missed at this level, now tries again and Carmouche stays on who does well with early speed horses. Like him at a potential price.
Next up: #7 Fast Gordon posted a beyer last race that is above today’s par but was denied the win, now gets another shot for Linda Rice and Jose Lezcano. Hesitant to put on top at a short price but dangerous nonetheless.