We are ecstatic to have racing back again at Belmont, and, as every Sunday in the meet, we will have some insight for you to consider when doing your betting. Today’s card is highlighted by the First Defense, for four year olds and upward going seven furlongs on the Widener Course. Ten races are on tap for today, let’s get to the comments:
1st race: 6 Furlongs. TMClm 14000n3L Purse $27,000 FOR FILLIES AND MARES THREEYEARS OLD AND UPWARD WHICH HAVE NEVER WON THREE RACES.
11-1-7
Parx shipper J J Loves Billy (11) will get my check mark in this complicated first race. This group of horses have faced each other quite frequently, so I will go with the fresh face here in New York. Gets a very cozy outside post and haven’t faced this NW of 2 condition yet. Lookbothways (1) will feel much more comfortable with the cutback to this six furlong distance, and she should have good pace in front of her to try to close the deal late. Kendrick Carmouche returns to her saddle. It’s a Chance (7) threw a clunker last time out, but she has had time to recover and should run much better now. Seems like she is much more fond to Belmont than to the Big A.
2nd race: 6 Furlongs. TMClm 14000n3L Purse $27,000 FOR FILLIES AND MARES THREE YEARS OLD AND UPWARD
6-4-7
Get Smokin (6) ran his eyeballs out against Grade I winner Decorated Invader and the very good South Bend, who beat him in a stakes race at Gulfstream last time out. The group is softer now, and he should be prominent from the start. Talako (4) was very impressive first time out versus a much softer group at Tampa, but winning despite having no pace at all in front of him. Its very encouraging that trainer Jorge Abreu sends him to a much better circuit now, so if he gets some pace to run at, watch out. Don Juan Kitten (7) is also taking a slight drop in class from running in stakes races, and he should be sitting in a pretty comfortable garden spot. He can be the value of this race.
3rd race: 6 Furlongs. TMClm 14000n3L Purse $27,000 FOR FILLIES AND MARES THREE YEARS OLD AND UPWARD WHICH HAVE NEVER WON THREE RACES.
9-6-7
Wide open affair. Volodina (9) ships from Parx for trainer Juan Carlos Guerrero, who hits at a 22% clip shipping from his base. She hasn’t faced this condition yet and there are no world beaters in this group. She should get a very nice trip outside of the early speedsters. Camorra (6) is maybe the speed of the speed here and that last race was very impressive for this kind of group. Maybe her work will be harder now, but she left at the top of her game in January and hasn’t missed a beat on her workouts. Amers (7) seems to be an X Factorin here. Running versus horses that at least are comparable in form with these, trainer Jeffrey Englehart ships from Turf Paradise and can be a nice price to consider in your exotics.
4th race: 1 1/16 Mile. (Inner Turf) TM‘Mdn 53k Purse $53,000 INNER TURF FOR MAIDENS, FILLIES AND MARES THREE YEARS OLD AND UPWARD
8-2-3
Beyond Brown (8) seems to have a distinct pace advantage in this race, and with José Ortiz, no doubt she will be at or near the lead. Should be able to dictate the pace and will be hard to catch. Pandamon (2) goes second time out for Christophe Clement, coming back from a seven month hiatus. Maturity and Lasix can make the difference.First time starter Afleeting Glance (3) comes from the barn of Tom Morley, who’s hitting at 24% in 2020, his best ever. She entices jockey Irad Ortiz to ride her, and in these days in which he is riding sporadically, the fact that he is on her back makes me think she is live.
5th race: 1 Mile. ‘Mdn 53k Purse $53,000 FOR MAIDENS, THREE YEARS OLD AND UPWARD FOALED IN NEW YORK STATE.
2-1-10
Microsecond (2) goes from Rudy Rodriguez to Todd Pletcher, and stretches out to a mile, in a race in which we cant find much speed signed in. Jose Ortiz can go wire to wire from that rail post and should be the first one to consider. For the next two selections, we will go with two first time starters, as the one that have experience haven’t shown that much. River Nile (1A) is a son of precocious Cairo Prince presented by J. Breen Kelly that went for 8X his stud’s fee. His works tell us he is ready to go. Z’Finale (10) debuts for red hot Chad Brown. I think that should tell you enough to make him a part of your plays.
6th race: 7 Furlongs. (Turf) TMClm 40000 Purse $57,000 (UP TO $9,918 NYSBFOA) FOR FILLIES THREE YEARS OLD.
4-8-5
Maybe the most difficult race to handicap in this card. Jen’s Battle (4) just won her maiden last time out and receives a nice upgrade in jockey. She was claimed by Robert Falcone Jr., who scores at a 25% rate first off the claim. In a race in which there are a lot of fillies with questions to answer, she is coming from her best race yet. Mo City (8) takes a sharp drop in class while trying the grass for the first time. The Uncle Mo progeny has been known to run well on the lawn and if she takes to it, she is definitely a true contender here. Mosienko (5) has been running out West. She is another one that will be facing straight claimers for the first time in her life, and, in general terms, turf racing is better in California, so she will be facing lighter company here.
7th race: 1 1/16 Mile. (Inner Turf) ‘Alw 56000n1x Purse $56,000 INNER TURF FOR THREE
YEAR OLDS AND UPWARD FOALED IN NEW YORK STATE
9-4-8
Tampa shipper Point Him Out (9) comes North from trainer Michael Stidham with blinkers on and a nice three month rest. She was facing open company at Tampa and now she drops to a state restricted race. I expect her to be part of that first flight and Lezcano and Stidham hit at a 19% clip. Dante’s Fire (4) returns from a seven month break after breaking her maiden for trainer Mike Maker. Johnny V. takes the return call on her, always a positive sign after a long layoff and should be sitting on a nice garden spot. Graded on a Curve (8) is the most consistent of this group. The problem I see for her is that she prefers some pace in front of her and maybe this race is not to her liking in those terms.
8th race: 6 1⁄2 Furlongs. Clm 40000 Purse $57,000 (UP TO $9,918 NYSBFOA) FOR THREE
YEAR OLDS AND UPWARD.
1-4-5
Mr. Dougie Fresh (1A) takes a considerable drop in class from running in the Grade III Tom Fool lats time out. This bunch should be much more manageable for him and will tart from a better post now, which will enable him to watch the early fray from a stalking position. Manny Franco takes the reins. Summer Bourbon (4) has won three of his last four since being claimed by Rudy Rodriguez and will be part of that early flight. The halt in racing came in a very inopportune time for him, but, judging from his work pattern, he has maintain his good form and will be a tough customer. Zoomer (5) ships from Parx and if there is a good battle up front, he will come flying late in the stretch with Irad Ortiz on the irons.
9th race: 7 Furlongs. (Turf) FrstDfnce80K First Defence S. Purse $80,000 FOR
FOUR-YEAR-OLDS AND UPWARD.
2-6-5
Sombeyay (2) has been running in graded stakes and now comes into this listed race with the best credentials. Anything close to what he has done over the last five races and will be a very tough beat. The #2 post can be a little bit dangerous, but I think he possesses enough speed for not being caught in a jam inside. Nicodemus (6) tries the turf after just missing in the Grade III Tom Fool. The names in his past performances are by far the most accomplished of all runners here and just for the drop in class, he should be considered. Win WinWin (5) is another one returning from a very long stay in the shelf, in this case close to a year. In his only try on the grass, he won a stakes here at Big Sandy, so you know he likes it here.
10th:6 Furlongs. (Inner Turf) TMMdn 64k Purse $64,000 INNER TURF (UP TO $11,134
NYSBFOA) FOR MAIDENS, FILLIES AND MARES THREE YEARS OLD AND UPWARD.
8-10-4
Its Chad Brown debuting a filly on the turf. That’s the only thing you need to know. Restraint of Trade (8) is working like she is ready to overpower this field, and Irad Ortiz stays to ride the finale on a Sunday. Henni Penny (10) returns from four plus months of rest, and if she can find pace in front of her, she will come late in the stretch with her run. Johnny Velazquez takes the call for trainer David Donk. Coin The Phrase (4) completes the selection, probably the speediest of this bunch , and Reylu Gutierrez will try to take this field wire to wire. .