We’ve reached closing weekend of the Belmont fall meet, this meet definitely flew by but there was some good racing action day in and day out. Today all races should be off the turf as it rained yesterday and will rain more today so all my picks are accounting for that. Best of luck if you’re playing along, first post is at 12:40 pm est and don’t forget to follow me on Twitter @cjfelts87.
Daily Gallop stats: Total: 407-100-78-80 (24% win, 63% ITM)
Race 1 MSW 80k 2yo, 6 furlongs
Selections: 6-1
Top Pick: #6 Highway Bound can improve off his debut now adding blinkers, Into Mischiefs like the slop and he should get a good trip drawing the outside post as Junior Alvarado stays aboard. Has a 416 tomlinson number in the wet.
Next up: #1 Digital Future is making his debut for Chad Brown and Irad Ortiz, solid works coming into today and CB is always tough with his debut runners in msw races.
Race 2 CLM 40k N2L 3up, 7 furlongs turf
Selections: (off track) 5-12-2-14
Top Pick: #5 Jake Rocks has been competitive over the off track surface before and those beyers would suggest he will be tough here if this is race is off the turf, first time gelding gets a class drop and Jose Ortiz takes the call for David Donk.
Next up: #12 Tiergan looks pretty logical over a wet track and has the back class to compete here today. Alvarado hops back on as this guy is eligible to improve second off the layoff.
Race 3 MCL 50k fillies 2yo, 6.5 furlongs
Selections: 7-5
Top Pick: #7 Suspended Campaign gets back to her preferred distance and gets a class drop which she will like, was competitive on debut against msw and she should handle a wet going quite well.
Next up: #5 To The Tune ships from Monmouth after a decent debut, looks pretty interesting if she can improve in her second race as Manny Franco gets aboard.
Race 4 MSW 70k state bred fillies 2yo, 1 1/16 miles turf
Selections: (off track) 10-4-7
Top Pick: #10 Mendham has a tomlinson wet number of 425 which would suggest she can run quite well here, has a race already over an off track on debut and she should be competitive here if she can improve off that effort. Jose Ortiz hops on for Todd Pletcher.
Next up: #4 Gray Destiny is a first time starter for Clement, his debut numbers are all strong and gets Lezcano aboard today. Like the ambitious placing for her on debut.
Race 5 CLM 10k 3up, 6.5 furlongs
Selections: 8-4-7
Top Pick: #8 Wushu Warrior comes off a solid win at this level, showed speed and was able to wire the field. Now stays at this level in good form against a bunch of not in form horses, on paper he looks primed to run a career best race in this spot.
Next up: #4 Vicar’s Legend gets some slight class relief and a jock upgrade to Joel Rosario. About the best thing you could say about him as this is a pretty bad field.
Race 6 MSW 70k state bred F&M 3up, 1 1/16 miles
Selections: 2-1-5
Top Pick: #2 Wasp can improve off a solid debut for Todd Pletcher, stretches out to a route and Irad hops on who has a positive ROI with Pletcher.
Next up: #1 Bella Domenica has been in good form as of late and could run a solid race first off the layoff. Eric Cancel stays on and it’s nice to see the connections aren’t dropping her just yet.
Race 7 ALW 82k n1x F&M 3up, 7 furlongs turf
Selections: (off track) 13-3-10-5
Top Pick: #13 Fiftyshays Ofgreen is an MTO who should draw in if this is off the turf, makes her first start for Linda Rice who gets the services of Jose Lezcano here, has flashed speed against tougher and is in good form to be competitive here.
Next up: #3 My Sweet Wife comes off her maiden win and can improve here second off the layoff, Jose Ortiz hops on and trainer Jorge Abreu is 25% with last out winners.
Race 8 CLM 32k F&M 3up, 6 furlongs
Selections: 5-8-7-3
Top Pick: #5 Jump for Joy comes off a solid race at the level, his figures have been solid and should have no problem handling a wet going.
Next up: #8 Glass Ceiling gets back to a level that is more suitable for him, gets Rosario today and his back class would suggest he should be competitive today.
Race 9 ALW 82k n1x 3up, 7 furlongs
Selections: 2-7-6-10
Top Pick: #2 Foolish Ghost is probably the most logical choice on paper, his recent form has been good and he comes off a win at the n2x level. Has room to improve as Dylan Davis stays aboard.
Next up: #7 Cost Basis has the ability to win off layoffs and finds a nice n1x for Chad Brown. Irad stays aboard and he has the tactical speed to be competitive.
Race 10 MCL 40k state bred 3up, 1 mile turf
Selections: (off track) 15-7-16-8
Top Pick: #15 Open Lengths looks solid if he can draw in as an MTO, has shown early speed against tougher and can use to that his advantage today drawing the far outside. He should appreciate the class drop and can improve second off the layoff as Eric Cancel hops on.
Next up: #7 Tercero has been improving in form and will benefit from the drop in class today, gets Rosario aboard and should have no problem running over an off track.