Its another Sunday here at beautiful Belmont Park, with nine races, including the Point of Entry Stakes, which is the feature, to be run on the grass course at the marathon trip of a mile and a half. Lets get immediately to the action:
1st race: 6 Furlongs. ™Mdn 75k Purse $75,000 (UP TO $13,050 NYSBFOA) FOR MAIDENS, FILLIES AND MARES THREE YEARS OLD AND UPWARD.
Rappido Gatta (5) has been bridesmaid to two very impressive fillies in Lexintonia and Indian Pride. There isn’t anything close to that in this group, so we have to tag her as a very strong favorite here in the opener. Talabaat (1) debuts for very solid connections and with a nice work pattern that suggest she will run good in her debut. A daughter of the very consistent sire More Than Ready, she can be the one that upsets the heavy choice of everyone. I like the fact that she has been working on an All Weather Track. Paynterbynumbers (3) returns from an eight month stay in the farm ,and she showed some talent before going into her break. She burned some good money in her first races, so she is not that reliable, but the rest could have been what she needed to finish her growing up process.
2nd race: 7 Furlongs. (Turf) ™Clm 40000n2L Purse $42,000 (UP TO $7,308 NYSBFOA). For Fillies And Mares Three Years Old and Upward
Trixie’s Time (8) will definitely appreciate the cutback to seven panels. It’s been more than a year since this filly has run in a race shorter than a mile, so stamina should not be a factor for her. That outside post will allow Dylan Davis to stalk close to the lead and come with her late run from the three sixteenth pole on. The comment about the cutback also applies to She’s Dreamin (1), but she will need to come from farther from the pace, that why I prefer the Miceli trained filly. Jose Lezcano will need to maneuver to avoid being shut down at the rail, if she doesn’t have any trouble, she is certainly one of the best here. Bid You Adieu (4) can be the one that lightens up the toteboard. There is not much speed in here, she will sport blinkers for the first time. Expect Manny Franco, who is riding her back, to look for the lead at all costs, let’s see how far she can take them.
3rd race: 1ˆ Mile. (Inner Turf) ™Alw 40000s Purse $55,000 INNER TURF (UP TO $9,570 NYSBFOA) FOR FILLIES AND MARES THREE YEARS OLD AND UPWARD
Winifred J (5) broke her maiden last time out going gate to wire at six furlongs. Now the trip is much longer, but now she is a better filly than at the end of last year, which was when she experimented at a route race. Speed is always dangerous, and she will try to impose her superior initial zip. Tass (1) had some trouble last time out and, with only four races so far in her resume, I think there is still more in the tank of what we have seen. She will run with Lasix for the first time and Carmouche sticks with her. Morelikethannot (2) definitely has the best credentials, but she has been favorite in six of her nine races, with only one win to show for. Irad will try to revert that pattern, but she is not a reliable favorite at all.
4th race: 1 Mile. ‘Mdn 62k Purse $62,000 FOR MAIDENS, TWO YEARS OLD FOALED IN NEW YORK STATE
It is true that he is still a maiden after six starts, but Theitalianamerican (1) has been running in general against better horses, and he has the experience already in this distance. If he can get a dry track, I think he can pull the slight upset in here. Prince of Pharoahs (4) debuted in the grass, and now Linda Rice switches him to the main track. Pedigree calls for dirt and being by the Triple Crown winner, he should have no problem with negotiating the extra ground. Tapizearance (2) should be prominent from the start, and his figures have ben on the rise. It is a question mark how well he will respond to the additional quarter mile, lets see what Irad Ortiz can so to harness that good initial speed oh him.
5th race: 1 1/16 Mile. (Inner Turf) OC 62500n2x Purse $80,000 INNER TURF (UP TO $13,920 NYSBFOA) FOR THREE YEAR OLDS AND UPWARD
Memories of Peter (7) came back from a year layoff the day of the Travers and almost pulled a 19-1 upset, then bounced in his most recent, aside that the group was way out of his league. Now he returns to face a bunch much more manageable for him and Irad takes the call for trainer Robert Falcone Jr. Should be on that first flight from when they spring the latch. Applicator (5) has won two of his last three, giving his trainer enough confidence to climb the ladder with him. And when Hall of Famer Johnny V takes the assignment, you know he is live in here. Classic Covey (4) will need a hot pace to develop for that late run to be effective, but Rosario is riding extremely good and will not be surprised to see him closer to the pace than usual.
6th race: 6 Furlongs. ™Clm 40000n2L Purse $42,000 (UP TO $7,308 NYSBFOA) FOR FILLIES AND MARES THREE YEARS OLD AND UPWARD
Extremely difficult race to handicap. At the start of the year, Gracetown (3) looked like she was going to be one of the sprint division leaders. Things hasn’t worked out that well for her and now drops to this $40,000 claim facing much lighter opponents. John Velazquez will sit right off the pace with her and the six furlongs fit her to a tee. Has eight works in preparation for this one, including two bullets. Love My Honey (2) is another one dropping from the allowance ranks, and for some reason we didn’t see her natural speed in her come back race. Since then, she worked a bullet out at Keeneland and Manny Franco will be at her saddle, looking to re-find that good initial foot of her. Lem Me Have It (7) completes the trio, if there is a burning speed duel up front, she is the one that can take advantage and pick up the pieces late.
7th race: 1½ Mile. (Turf) PntOEntryB100K Point of Entry S. Purse $100,000 FOR THREE YEAR OLDS AND UPWARD.
The race sets up nicely for Pillar Mountain (5). For a mile and a half race, there is very good speed signed in here, so Joel Rosario can tale it easy on him and make a sustained run at the leaders, and has shown affinity for this kind of trip. Manitoulin (7) is taking a big step up in class, but remember that this horse at a time was extremely competitive at groups much better than these, and has a win at 12 furlongs. Interesting that Johnny V took the call, preferring him over my favorite. Red Knight (3) is a very consistent horse, who always gives a good account of himself, and now has some more ground to work him. Should be coming late with his run and Alvarado knows him well.
8th race: 1 Mile. ‘OC 40000n2x Purse $70,000 FOR THREE YEAR OLDS AND UPWARD FOALED IN NEW YORK STATE
Finger Lakes shipper Big Gemmy (1) receives a big upgrade in jockey to Manny Franco, who should sit at mid pack watching the speed fight themselves into submission. Linda Rice has run him six times in FL, and the fact that she runs him now at Big Sandy is a very positive indicator. Doups Point (6) is the best closer in the race and Rosario has been his most frequent rider, so he knows him well. He will make his presence felt late in the stretch, with a great chance of scoring. Carthon (3) is very game and loves to fight, the problem is that he has only two wins in seventeen lifetime starts. With Cancel he has his best races, lets see if today is the day he will have that extra push to gut out a win.
9th race: 7 Furlongs. (Turf) ™MC 40000 Purse $41,000 (UP TO $7,134 NYSBFOA) FOR MAIDENS, FILLIES AND MARES THREE YEARS OLD AND UPWARD.
A good race to close out the week. Temperance (10) has the most sold running lines in this field. She has run against Concrete Rose amongst others and should be at or near the lead when they open the gates. The outside post is nice and the seven furlongs will be a relief after being caught late twice at route distances. Her speed figures are on the rise, a very positive pattern. Erin More (1) drops from maiden special to this $40,000 claimer group and will be prominent from the start. Remember, if a jockey like Johnny V. stays for the finale at a Sunday, the horse is live. Happy Home (8) was too close to the pace last time out, she now returns to Belmont and Irad will take her back and do a single run with her. Very dangerous if she can have a hot pace in front of her.