I have returned to the NYRA Circuit on The Daily Gallop! I’m very happy to be back and we have a 1:30 PM Post Time here at Belmont Park for the first Thursday of the meet and the kick off to Derby weekend!! Let’s get right into it!
Race 1: 4-2-3
#4 AURELIA GARLAND has run bullet workouts all throughout the month of April down at Keeneland for Wesley Ward who is 3 for 6 with first time Fillies in races such as these conditions. The dam is 3 for 9 with first timer dirt dashers and with the combo of these stats and the workouts this is the one for me in the first race. I don’t believe this ML favorite will stay the favorite as the #3 and an American Pharoah filly will most likely take a lot of money due to the Pharoah factor.
Race 2: 3-2-4
#3 UHTRED came flying down the lane last time out to win in his first ever try. That race was at the distance of this race, and the pace up front was slow and he still closed. There is some pace up front in this race giving the colt something to chase and should give him a very good chance turning for home, assuming our boy Eric can get him in a good position.
Race 3: 2-7-4
We’re going for the bomb here early in the card with #2 KEY BISCAYNE because of those four straight bullet workouts. Those works plus that 12/1 ML price tag in a 5 furlong turf sprint? We will go ahead and pull the trigger at that price with a decent formed Rajiv Maragh up.
Race 4: 2-1-6
#2 SUN STUDIO is coming off a victory at a higher level, and Manny Franco is returning after that win. That race was at the distance and she should get a similar looking trip today where she can stalk the pace and take the race. Today’s crop looks of a similar standard to who she just beat and we are getting a decent 7/2 ML for Todd Pletcher in a race where I think the favorite is very vulnerable.
Race 5: 9-4-8
#9 TRIXIE’S TIME looks to be the go to here in a bit of a stinky race right in the middle of the day and to round off the early Pick 5. This filly gets red hot Jose Lezcano up who’s 41% at the meet thus far. She wasn’t able to hold off the oncoming threat at 46/1 last time out and finished a very solid looking second, especially after setting decent fractions up front. We will not get 46/1 today however the works have improved since the last try and southern shipper should find some success here in New York against this field.
Race 6: 1-9-3
Nothing honestly jumped off the page to me in this race and I did not see anything I really loved. With that being said I liked the first time started for Chad Brown with Javier up at 5/1 ML #1 SURGE PRICING. Ironic as if we get 5/1 here that would be the opposite of the name, but regardless there is a lot to like. all four of those four furlong workouts are extremely consistent, plus it’s Chad Brown doing what he does best on the turf.
Race 7: 9-7-10
Sometimes you have to just say the chalk will win or run on top and leave it, that’s this race. #9 ARCHUMYBABY won an ungraded stake two starts ago and in her last start stumbled at the beginning and never regained her form. The horse to her outside will gun out for the lead and this should allow her to get that stalking position she seems to like. With the early speed in this race she will be able to swing right by when the leaders eventually get tired and win by a couple.
Race 8: 4-3-7
#4 BON RAISON is coming off two straight victories with Eric Cancel first and foremost. Secondly this colt has been in the superfecta 10 of 11 races since being claimed by Todd Pletcher AND has won both races attempted here at Belmont Park, the last one being at this distance. This cold is ascending right now and I think you have to ride the wave here and play him, a single in multi race wagers for me.
Race 9: 3-4-6
#3 PLINK FREUD went 4 wide last time out and almost was able to get the job done. Since that last race this filly went on a layoff and has been putting in very consistent works over the month of April gearing up for the return. Red hot Jose Lezcano jumps up today after jumping off her for one race. We get a decent 4/1 ML price tag and the speed figures she’s yielded have been the best in the field.