Another solid card has been put up by NYRA for today, with two graded stakes on tap and the Grade II Vosburgh serving as the main entrée for this second Saturday in Belmont’s Fall Meet. Lets go to the analysis:
1st race: 1 1/16 MILES (1:39¦) CLAIMING. Purse $39,000 For Three Year Olds And Upward. Three Year Olds, 120 lbs.;Older, 124 lbs. Non-winners Of A Race At A Mile Or Over In 2020 Allowed 2 lbs. Claiming Price $20,000
3-4-2
The Big Fundamental (3) will drop to this level for the first time, but comes well prepared for this compromise. Is a good sign that Johnny., who rode him in his return race, sticks with him for his main stay, Todd Pletcher. He should be right in the thick of it from the start. Heavy Roller (4) has been burning some money late, but the race sets up for him nicely and the group is not that much. Franco stays on board. Control Group (2) flunked at the slop last time out, but with a dry surface, he can bounce back. Jose Ortiz takes over for his brother.
2nd race: 1 1/16 MILES (Inner Turf). (1:38©) MAIDEN SPECIAL WEIGHT. Purse $52,000 Inner Turf For Maidens, Three Years Old And Upward Foaled In New York State
6-4-8
The Golden Door (6) made good ground in his debut, coming out of the one hole at 5.5 furlongs. Now gets much more real estate to work with, and second time out he should be much fitter. Jose Ortiz repeats on the saddle. Silver Token (4) stretches out after doing well at the sprint distances. Trainer Horacio de Paz hits at a 43% rate when stretching. Advanced Strategy (8) has been a beaten favorite in his last three starts, a definite red light. Let’s see what Joel Rosario can do with him, returning to the grass, and probably will be the favorite once again.
3rd race: 1 MILE (1:32¦) MAIDEN SPECIAL WEIGHT. Purse $63,000 (UP TO $10,962 NYSBFOA ) For Maidens, Fillies Two Years Old.
1-7-6
Jouster (1) dictated the pace in her debut on the mud, just to be beaten by a very good filly, with more experience. Second time out, and with apparently no one fast enough to follow her, she will be a hard beat on this race. Johnny V. will be up her saddle once again. Jamsstar (7) had an auspicious debut , and the fairly quick turn around make me think she is not worst for the wear. Mark Casse is much more effective second time out. American West (6) runs first time out for trainer Chad Brown. A daughter of Curlin that went for $925,000, and with the right setup, she can get up in time.
4th race: 1 1/16 MILES (Inner Turf). (1:38©) ALLOWANCE OPTIONAL CLAIMING. Purse $67,000 Inner Turf (Up To $11,832 Nysbfoa) For Fillies And Mares Three Years Old And Upward
2-1-4
Stone Tornado (2) has been knocking at the door at this same level, and I like that Brown waited for the Belmont start to run her. Has been a beaten favorite twice in a row, so is not that reliable of a pick. Tuned (1) hasn’t race in almost a year , when she won impressively at Keenland, taking advantage of a hot pace. Lets see how she comes back, but she is dangerous. Simplicity (4) can be the one that takes them wire to wire, in a race without any real early speed.
5th race: 1 MILE (Turf). (1:31¦) MAIDEN SPECIAL WEIGHT. Purse $52,000 For Maidens, Two Years Old Foaled In New York State
10-7-1
Pivotal Run (10) had some trouble at the start in his debut, then made a bold move to take the lead and faded. With that race under his belt, he is the first one to consider. Wicked Easy (7) goes second time out for Christophe Clement, and that combo with Joel Rosario is lethal, specially on the grass. The stretch out should help also. Chulain (1) will sport blinkers for the first time, so we can expect him to be on the engine from the rail. Ortiz is a master with speed type horses.
6th race: 1 1/16 MILES (Inner Turf). (1:38©) MAIDEN CLAIMING. Purse $38,000 Inner Turf (Up To $6,612 Nysbfoa) For Maidens, Fillies And Mares Three Years Old And Upward.
5-9-2
Very tough race to handicap, and I will take a flyer here with Candy Flower (5), who had to overcome a tough post in her last, took the lead but then understandably tired. Now she gets a better post, drops in class and Franco takes the reins for Graham Motion. Hot Button (9) followed an uncontested leader in her debut, now with that race under her, she should be much sharper for this one., Jose Ortiz repeats on her saddle. Valletta (2) goes first time off the claim for trainer Danny Gargan, who hits at an astonishing 50% clip doing this. Has a bullet work in preparation.
7th race: 6 Furlongs (1:07 ̈) ALLOWANCE OPTIONAL CLAIMING. Purse $67,000 (UP TO $11,832 NYSBFOA ) For Three Year Olds And Upward
10-7-2
Veteran T Loves a Fight (10) hasn’t win in almost a year, but the race sets up nicely for him, with plenty of speed signed in. That outside post should work wonders for him and Alvarado and Noda hita t a 31% clip together. Mount Travers (7) will be stalking the pace from a close distance, and Jose Ortiz keeps going to the pond with him. Last time out he was denied the win in a hard fought battle. The big longshot here can be Big Engine, which is the other Linda Rice in this race and will have a pace much more favorable to his style today.
8th race: 1 MILE (Turf). (1:31¦) THE NOBLE DAMSEL. Grade III. Purse $100,000 For Fillies And Mares Three Years Old And Upward.
4-2-9
Blowout (4) tired down the stretch in her most recent, which was her first in more than ten months. That race should have been a good bolt tightener and she should be dictating terms again, and Johnny V. will do the honors once again for Chad Brown. Sweet Bye and Bye (2) keeps improving with each and every new race. She beat our top pick fair and square on her last, and it will not be any surprise at all if this happens again. Feel Glorious (9) just won a listed stakes race at Saratoga. This is a tougher assignment, but she is in tip top shape, so you cant deny her a good chance.
9th race: 6 Furlongs (1:07 ̈) THE VOSBURGH. Grade II. Purse $150,000 For Three Year Olds And Upward.
1-6-5
True Timber (1) fought till the end in the Grade I Forego, losing to Win Win Win and Complexity. This is a Grade II that seems more like a Grade III, and he should be at the lead when they latch the sprung. Cutting back to six panels, he will be a tough customer. Engage (6) returns from a ten month break working steadily for trainer Steve Asmussen. He was very good late last year, and if he has maintained his condition, he will be dangerous. Firenze Fire has maybe lost a step or two, but he loves Belmont and he is 5 for 10 lifetime at the distance. If he can remember his good times, he can win.
10th race: 1 1/16 MILES (Turf). (1:38§) CLAIMING. Purse $36,000 (UP TO $6,264 NYSBFOA ) For Three Year Olds And Upward Which Have Never Won Two Races.
11-3-2
Barleewon (11) drops from allowance maidens to maiden claimers. That by itseld will give him a great chance. Couple that with the fact that Hall of Famer Johnny V. stays for the finale, and you now he is very live here. Shootin the Breeze (3) didn’t run well last time out, but before that has races that gives him a great chance in this weak group. He should be making himself felt late in the game. Albie (2) will try to ride the rail right into the first flight, and with some improvement, he definitely can get it done.