The Noble Damsel
- Viadera- Rosario/Brown
- Viadera is one of 3 Chad brown entries in this field and that is usually what happens in New York Turf Stakes races. However, this one gets Rosario and Rosario is probably the best turf rider in this race. Viadera is coming out of a Stakes win at Saratoga. Rosario has ridden both of her American races and both were closing trips but she didn’t take to the yielding course in June but she ran very well on a good course. I think she has a good chance to close today and win.
- Sweet Bye and Bye- Lezcano/Dutrow
- Sweet Bye and Bye is a very consistent mare. She is coming into this race in great form. Lezcano is probably the most underrated rider out there in my opinion. This mare likes to sit close to the pace but can come from far back. She would need the best trip to keep her comfortable in order to win but I think her form is coming into a monster effort. I will be using her in all bets.
- Chaleur- Castellano/Mott
- Chaleur seems like she can get the distance but this is her maximum distance. She is 1 for 1 at Belmont and that race was the same distance but against weaker. Javier has been hit or miss this year in some of his trips he was giving. Feel Glorious outfought this filly last time out and is in this field again. I think she has shot to be fighting for the lead early and that could be key. I will be using others but she will be on my deeper tickets.
- Blowout- Velazquez/ Brown
- Blowout is the 2nd Chad Brown in this field and gets Hall of Famer John Velazquez aboard. This is her second race as a 4yo and 2nd off the long layoff. She just missed holding on against Sweet Bye and Bye last time and she should be more fit here. She will be on the lead early and she could go gate to wire if no one else pressures her. She also seems to be the quickest early in this field which is key. She has back class as well and I think she might be the horse that they need to run down. I will be using her everywhere today.
- Atomic Blonde- Franco/Abreu
- Atomic Blonde is lightly raced compared to most in here. Jorge Abreu is taking a shot with her in this move up in class off the barn switch from Pletcher. I think she can compete but I don’t like when horses leave top barns in big circuits. It is her second race off the long layoff which should help. However, I think she just isn’t quite good enough here and I rather not play Franco on the turf.
- Lemon Zip- Davis/ Saville
- Lemon Zip is in way over her head here. The connections are taking a chance but how many chances is she going to get at this level. She will be the longest shot on the board if she runs today and I think her form at smaller levels and smaller tracks doesn’t compete here.
- Noor Sahara-Ortiz/Brown
- Noor Sahara is the final Chad Brown entry in this field. She has yet to find the winners’ circle in America but she has done well in France. She just lost to her stablemate in Viadera last time out. I think she could be sitting on a big shot here and she gets Jose Ortiz as Irad is serving his suspension. Jose is a good turf jockey and he can be aggressive when needed and today Noor Sahara will need that aggressive trip. I think you have to use her today but she is not in my top three.
- MTO
- Feel Glorious- Alvarado/ Clement
- Feel Glorious beat Chaleur last time out and keeps Junior Alvarado today. She has yet to win at Belmont Park in 5 starts but she has 2 2nds and 2 3rds in those 5 starts. Clement had a strong Saratoga meet and this horse was one of his winners. I think she has to be respected here and I will be using on all tickets.
- Getmotherarose- Carmouche/Bush
- Getmotherarose is another longshot like Lemon Zip who I think has a very slim chance of competing here. Kendrick has been riding well this meet so far and the horse does like Belmont. I think however, her form peaked as a 3yo. She also might need the class drop instead of a class rise. Will be avoiding her.
TOP PICKS:
#4 Blowout
#2 Sweet Bye and Bye
#7 Noor Sahara
The Vosburgh
- True Timber- Carmouche/ Sisterson
- True Timber is going to be on the lead early. He should have some pace pressure from Stan the Man but I think if he breaks sharp, Kendrick will send hard and gain that early lead presence. He just missed in the Forego after he got tired going 7F in the slop. Today he gets 6F and hopefully better conditions. Kendrick sends hard early and this race might be over. I will be using him every way possible today.
- Funny Guy- Rosario/ Terranova
- Funny Guy ran even really flat in the Forego but it could have been due to the conditions. He is a big closer and 6F on dirt is hard to close into unless a pace collapse happens. I think 5/2 on this horse is a little low but he did dominate the Restricted stakes in 2019 and then won two state bred stakes this year. I will be using him today but won’t be in top 3.
- Stan the Man- Velazquez/ Terranova
- Stan the Man is the Terranova horse I actually prefer. The class is an issue but he has competere in graded stakes before and performed decently. Velazquez gets the mount today and should give him a comfortable trip in my opinion. Rosario chose the other Terranova but I think Velazquez fits this horse more and I think the 3rd off the layoff angle here should work. I will be using him on tickets.
- Share the Ride- Franco/ Arriaga
- Share the Ride is a horse I am fading today. She won huge at Monmouth in a small stake but this is a classy field and I think he is outclassed today. Franco gets the mount and that is key because he has had a great start so far to the Belmont meet. I will be using others today however.
- Firenze Fire- Lezcano/ Breen
- Firenze Fire is a total fade today as well. Sure he has a ton of class and ability but he hasn’t been the same since he left Jason Servis which isn’t a great sign. Then the Forego was a complete dud and I think honestly, his best days were with the extra “help” from Jason Servis. He could sit the trip and fire today too but I am leaning the fade angle more.
- Engage- Ortiz/ Asmussen
- Engage if in form, should win this race. The layoff is an issue and last year when he came of the year long layoff he didn’t fire. This field isn’t too deep and he should sit right off the pacesetters which could be ideal. Jose can get the most out of a horse and this horse has a very high ceiling. I am surprised he didn’t run at Saratoga though or at Churchill. I will be using him everywhere today but not my top pick.
TOP PICKS:
#1 True Timber
#6 Engage
#3 Stan the Man