Race 1: 6,5,4
Impunity ran solid last time out at this class going 7f wit Franco riding. Today Franco is back in the irons and with the track most likely being still wet from the rain on Thursday Impunity looks tough here. I do also like Pistolerio going out first time for Lacey Gaudet who is dropping him in class today for a tag. He is also a first time gelding which is an angle I like playing in these claiming races.
Race 2: 6,7,8 *Off Turf – 5,10,8
We were off the turf yesterday and with the amount of rain I am skeptical of us being on the turf today so I will do both on and off the turf picks here. If this stays on the turf Single Verse will be the favorite and I am not trying to beat her. She has finished 2nd in all 3 of her career starts but her lone turf start was her best career effort which came at Saratoga. She gets Dylan Davis back in the irons today for the 2nd time as well.
If this race comes off the turf I am going with Aubrey Tate. She showed a big improvement between her first and second starts and I am a fan of the early speed she showed last time out. Keep an eye on who picks up this mount if this race comes off the turf as I think it will be a good signed if one of the top riders picks this mount up.
Race 3: 4,3,8 *Off Turf – 10,1,7
If this race stays on the turf Brucarita is my top pick here and honestly I think in an early Pick 4 and 5 sequence I may use this race as a single to spread in other races. He has been running well against similar company but is adding Johnny V in the irons today which I think is a major pick up.
If this race comes off turf I am going with Harv Won’t Tap. 2 races back he ran a solid race on the dirt which is a better dirt race than the rest of this field has run. He also gains Kendrick in the irons who yes has been struggling but is still one of the best riders at Belmont and at a price I am willing to take a shot.
Race 4: 1,5,2
This race is wide open and honestly I am not a fan of the 3-1 odds on Mo Diddley but I am using him on top here but will be using a few here on my early pick 4 and 5 tickets. He is dropping in class and his last 2 races at Belmont have been good enough to be very tough against this much. Not a fan of the jockey change here but I think he must be used on tickets.
Race 5: 7,1,9 *Off Turf – 6,9,8
I am hoping this one stays on the turf because I really like Go Poke the Bear here for Brad Cox with Kendrick in the irons. He just missed against tougher last time out and today should get a similar trip but gets a jockey upgrade.
If this race comes off the turf Direct Order in my opinion is an easy single and will probably be around 2/5 odds but I think he is deserving of that and is much the best on the main track.
Race 6: 5,1,9 *Off Turf -7,6,3
It honestly pains me to put a horse piloted by Eric Cancel on top but I am hoping Lovely La La is just much the best here for Chad Brown. She just missed in her last 2 starts against similar company so I am hoping today is the day.
If this race comes off the turf, I think Cartwheel will be very tough to beat. Her last race that was taken off the turf that she was entered in she ended up winning by 10+ here at Belmont which was back in June.
Race 7: 4,6,1
I am usually not a fan of taking a Chad Brown horse at short odds on the dirt, especially maidens but wow is this a soft field for Katama Moonlight. She improved a lot between her first and second start and today is breaking from mid pack instead of close to the rail. She gets Lezcano as well and with the early speed she showed last time out could be a very dangerous combo here.
Race 8: 8,5,11 *Off Turf -8,10,13
Empire Empress is a first time starter for Brad Cox with Lezcano in the irons and this one was bought by Zilla Racing for $90K back in May which is expensive for a Big Brown sired horse. The works are solid on heading into his debut and 5-1 morning line is a fair price here.
Good Luck and follow @PicksByDynasty for updates due to scratches and multi race plays.