Belmont June 30

Race 1

  • 6  Dynamo Flotilla  3-1  **HORSE TO WATCH

  • 1  Frosti Agosti  7/2

  • 5  Call Me Stoney  7/2

Dynamo Flotilla was dead last entering the stretch by at least 10 lengths, found a lane on the rail, and closed furiously to catch the place. Frosti Agosti looked good breaking his maiden, jumped to an ALW NW1X where he showed some speed before fading. Back to a more benevolent level today. Call Me Stoney has good speed and seems to enjoy finishing in the money. Solid in the verticals.

Race 2

  • 7  All Day Lawn  5/2  **HORSE TO WATCH

  • 6  Quigley’s Corner  5/2

  • 3  My Good Venezuela  4-1

All Day Lawn walked out of the gate, rushed to press the leader but could not sustain. Finished with some courage. Tom Quigley was my publisher when I was writing for Horseplayer Magazine and he now hangs out at the eponymously name Quigley’s Corner at Santa Anita. Shipper with some outs.

Race 3

  • 4  Sabrina Ballerina  1-1

  • 5  Grassaria  3-1

  • 3  Laura’s Moon  4-1

Sabrina Ballerina looks dominant considering the other horses likely to get bet have some downside.

Race 4

  • 2  Western Reserve  9/5

  • 5  Ascend  9/5

  • 3  Winter Springs  3-1

Mott, Motion and Brown. Looks like a trifecta from here.

Race 5

  • 4  Tree Top Lover  5/2

  • 2  Choir Director 3-1

  • 3  Biaviian  7/2

  • 9  Lightning Buzz  9/2

Tree Top Lover is listed at 7/5 on the ML. I think that’s too low and definitely not value. But given the big drop in price, it’s hard not to put him in the top slot. He and Choir Director are the speed horses, and are both dropping out of straight maidens. Lightning Buzz has been off a while after getting claimed by Gary Gullo, and Gullo has a strong percentage with first after the claim. A potential price horse.

Race 6

  • 8  Liscullan  3-1

  • 10  Madeyourpoint  4-1

  • 2  He’s One Wild Dude  5-1

  • 1  It’s a Given  5-1

Race 7

  • 2  Day After Day  5/2  **HORSE TO WATCH

  • 3  Even Bette  3-1

  • 6  Madame Maybry  4-1

  • 9  Moondance Joy  5-1

Day After Day went out on fast fractions, established a clear lead in the stretch and held it all the way to the wire. She ran a field topping figure and as long as she doesn’t bounce she looks strong here. Even Bette won her first time out and comes off a layoff for new trainer David Cannizzo. That puts her in the mix for me.

Race 8

  • 7  Roca Rojo  5/2

  • 6  Sparkle Factor  3-1

  • 4  Katie O.  4-1  **HORSE TO WATCH

  • 2  Angel Vision  5-1

Katie O. might have been a higher pick, but she was the speed on a day that favored front runners and she is moving up in price. But at 10-1 she’ll be overlooked and has real chances. I can’t ignore any Chad Brown horse, and he is dynamite with Euro shippers. Tough race.

Race 9

  • 8  North Slope  3-1

  • 9  Dream Man  7/2

  • 7  Sinatra  4-1

  • 5  Coturnix  5-1

Frankly, if I was live in the P4 going into the 9th, I’d prefer having an “ALL” ticket. There was hardly a horse I didn’t consider, including some of the longer prices. This might be reflected in the fact I put a horse that hadn’t been on the turf for a while on top, primarily on the strength of his previous turf races and the fact he was claimed last out by top claiming trainer Danny Gargan. Dream Man and Sinatra are coming out of the same race and finished next to each other. Coturnix may be the speed of the race and his figures suggest he can compete in this group. I’d give him a long look, especially at the odds.

Belmont June 26

Race 1

  • 1  Verve’s Tale  9/5

  • 2  Opined  2-1

  • 3  Kelsocait  4-1

The good news – she hasn’t been out of the money in five starts. Bad news – she should have won by now. Speed, best figures and a short field makes her the favorite. Opined ran well in her first start. Stetches out today and McLaughlin is 22% with second start maidens. Kelsocait ran well first time on the turf  and has come back with some nice works. Note that she threw in the same 35 second workout before the last race. Breeding suggests distance is not an issue.

Race 2

  • 6  Cuckoo’s Saloon  

  • 1  Sunny Kitten  

  • 9  Dancer’s Edge  

Cuckoo’s Saloon scratched out of the last race yesterday to run in this spot. He should be the one to catch and has the figures to hang on. Sunny Kitten ran an improved race last out in a 4th of June affair that a number of the horses in this race were in. Dancer’s Edge is another horse coming out of the June 4 race. He showed some closing kick in that one and with some improvement he has outs.

Race 3

  • 6  Seventhfleethumor  8/5  **HORSE TO WATCH

  • 1  Bossmon  3-1

  • 4  Recanted  7/2

  • 8  Manofmanyvirtues  5-1

Seventhfleethumor was a good 10 lengths out of it at the top of the stretch and closed furiously to only lose by a half length. That was an impressive move and if he gets the right setup he should make it first to the wire this time. Bossmon won his NW2L race in strong fashion, but faltered first time at the NW3 level.  If he can get back to the figure from his winning effort, he’s dangerous here. Recanted makes a significant drop here after almost winning his NW3 race. Last race can be excused given the muddy conditions. Manofmanyvirtues drops to his lowest lifetime level. He’s run with better and could pop a good one today.

Race 4

  • 2  True Charm  5/2

  • 3  Classy Chris  3-1

  • 4  Madison Blues  4-1

  • 1  Town Fair/RockAve. Road  5-1

True Charm has been looking to crack the winner’s circle for a while. She has the best figs, but has proven somewhat heartless in the stretch. A very tepid choice. Classy Chris makes only her third start and has been in the money both times. Good chances today. Madison Blues takes the blinkers off after running with them in all but her first start. She’s competitive off her best figure. The entry of Town Fair and Rock Ave. Road both have some potential.

Race 5

  • 6  Silent Waters  2-1

  • 5  Bust Another  7/2

  • 1  Cloud Control  5-1

This race is ultra competitive, with cases to be for most of the runners. Silent Waters comes in off a nice fourth in the Penn Mile and a win in an allowance affair at LRL. Figures put him in the strongest position here. Bust Another just won a state-bred stakes and has five wins in eight lifetime starts. Hasn’t made a turf start yet, but he could be strong at the distance. Interesting contender. Cloud Control looks best poised to pick up the pieces should the speed falter. Much better than his 10-1 odds might indicate, although his win was after a very questionable DQ. By all rights he should still be a maiden. Still, could make the verticals.

Race 6

  • 2  Thirst For Glory  3-1

  • 4  Testosterstone  7/2

  • 1  Taoiseach  7/2

Thirst for Glory has been consistent in his last few and has a field topping last race figure. Gets a nice switch to Rosario. Testosterstone ran with open NW1X allowance runners last out, tracked a quick pace and faded. He’s back with state-breds where he’s run his best races. Taoiseach was unremarkable in the Mike Lee but has been competitive with higher priced state-breds. Dangerous today.

Race 7

  • 4  Forever in Love  2-1

  • 1  Crescent Street  3-1

  • 10  Storm Prophet  3-1

Forever in Love comes off an 8 month layoff for Linda Rice who is a reasonable 16% off the long rest. He has two good turf races, including the G3 Pilgrim as a two year old. His two year old numbers are better than horses that have started at three, so if he is in good condition he should take the field. Crescent Street has had his best races at BEL. His first race of 2016 was against open company and he showed good speed to the stretch. He should show improvement and that makes him a contender. Storm Prophet ran a good second in his 2016 debut and returns today at the same level. Should have a bit more condition for this run.

Race 8

  • 1  Portando  5/2

  • 2  Swipe  5/2

  • 4  Mawthooq  3-1

Portando comes in off a series of good races at CD. He’s got speed and should enjoy the six furlong distance. Swipe has done well graded company, although he faltered in the Lexington. That was his first race of the year and he should make a better accounting today. Mawthooq almost won a NW1X after coming off a year and five month layoff. He’s had five weeks to recover and should be dangerous on the lead.

Race 9

  • 5  Naked Empress  7/2

  • 1  Libreta  7/2

  • 4  Wonderment  4-1

  • 10  Louisville First  5-1

Naked Empress failed in her first with winners as the favorite, but still ran an impressive figure. She’ll be good odds today and Johnny V re-takes the mount. Libreta won the NY Stallion in her last start and makes her first attempt on the grass. Turf breeding is ambiguous but no doubt the horse has talent. Wonderment is a G3 winner and may have shown better if not for a bobble at the start of her last.  Another with limited turf experience but plenty of talent. Louisville First is a big longshot on the ML, but his one turf race was a big improvement over his races on the dirt. Could be a big surprise here.

Race 10

  • 5  Storm Pursuit  7/2

  • 1  Be a Hero  7/2

  • 8  Bass River Road  4-1

This race appears to be nothing but speed horses, making it a tough predictive affair.. Storm Pursuit just missed at this level last out and has been ultra-competitive in 2016. Be a Hero drops in price and that should help him carry his speed. Bass River Road was snagged for $25K by Bruce Levine last out and he drops him down to this level looking for a win. Levine is 22% first off the claim. Carmouche jumps back aboard.

Belmont June 25

Race 1

  • 6  Beautyinthepulpit  5/2

  • 2  Marriage Fever  5/2

  • 5  Howaboutwe  5-1

While Beautyinthepulpit has consistent figures, short priced favorites in cheap claiming races are not always as reliable as the odds might suggest. Plus, he is going to have to come from well out of it to win the race. Marriage Fever may have the advantage as one of the speedier runners in the race and takes the blinkers off today. Howaboutwe was much better with a higher class of horses last year. Just a thought at the odds.

Race 2

  • 4  Tapa Liath  5/2

  • 6  Majestic Bloom  3-1

  • 8  Eloweasel  3-1

  • 5  Cotton Candy Cutie  5-1

Tapa Liath has run competitively in her three lifetime races. Has good early foot and just missed at this level last out. I’m never really excited about horses that spend 6 or 7 races in a row, so I wouldn’t invest heavily in Majestic Bloom, but she does have the best lifetime figure. Eloweasel made an impressive 2016 debut and may wind up at a short price here. Cotton Candy Cutie is another one with a good 2016 debut and with a little improvement could be the longshot winner.

Race 3

  • 5  D’Eloquent  8/5

  • 3  Grassady  3-1

  • 4  Brooklyn Major  5-1

  • 6  Smadi Sky  5-1

D’Eloquent has been figuring it out and should appreciate the slight cutback in distance. Grassady made a good debut, pressing a very fast pace. Has a couple of fast drills in prep for this. Brooklyn Major is starting to approach professional maiden status. He can win, but he doesn’t have the sort of sharpness I like to see. More of an in-the-money type. Smadi Sky was gelded since last year after making her debut as the favorite. Interesting at the odds.

Race 4

  • 4  Gio’s Calling  2-1

  • 6  Ray’s the Bar  2-1

  • 2  Kassiopia  7/2

Gio’s Calling has some low profile connections, but he likes the track and his figures suggest he can top this field and he’s by one of the top turf horses. Ray’s the Bar is trained by Chad Brown and he rarely puts a horse on the track that isn’t competitive. Would be no surprise here. Kassiopia has been competitive in graded stakes and has the talent to top the field.

Race 5

  • 2  Don’t Point  2-1

  • 5  Howie’s Tiz  3-1

  • 1  Luckybuck Syndrome  4-1

Don’t Point looks like one of the frontrunners. Seems better on the dirt than the turf. Howie’s Tiz has been working a while to catch win number two, and this looks like about as easy a spot as he’s seen. Luckybuck Syndrome has been off a while but has run well previously at BEL and has been gelded since last year. Also makes a substantial drop in price from his last.

Race 6

  • 12  New York’s Zip  3-1

  • 7  Stormin Stephen  4-1

  • 3  A Chip and a Chair  5-1

  • 1  Irish Hope  5-1

New York’s Zip has looked better since dropping to this level. Get’s another chance today and the figures say he’s competitive. Stormin Stephen finally drops out of the MSW ranks. Given his speed and tendency to finish in the money, today may be his day. A Chip and a Chair drops from MSW. He’s shown speed with better and that is an angle I like. Irish Hope is interesting at 15-1. He’s dropping from MSW to the claiming ranks and is trying 4 year olds and up for the first time, but I think he may be valuable in the back holes. Should be one of the pacesetters.

Race 7

  • 9  Captain Moss  5/2

  • 4  Verger  3-1

  • 1  Yowl  7/2

  • 8  Gracious Plenty  4-1

I’ll be honest. There are only a couple of horses in here that would be a surprise in the win column. Captain Moss has a like for the BEL turf  and has the top figures in the race. Verger jumps up in price today, but his last race looked like he’s ready for this group. Yowl has two good races in a row at this level after breaking his maiden for a cheap price. Can’t be left out of the mix. Gracious Plenty is the Todd Pletcher entrant. Should be prompting up front and gets the still hot Jose Ortiz.

Race 8

  • 4  Realm  5/2

  • 3  Conviction  5/2

  • 5  Caeyrn  3-1

Realm looked like a potential winner last time but ran into the tough Gift Box. Looks best in this group. Conviction just broke his maiden at Monmouth for Todd Pletcher in good time and moves over the BEL today. Have to respect the TP entrant. Caeyrn was strong breaking his maiden on the AQU inner, shipped to PIM to run in the Sir Barton where he had enough trouble to not run his race. Might be overlooked today.

Race 9

  • 2  Wavell Avenue  9/5

  • 1  By the Moon  5/2

  • 3  Bar of Gold  4-1

  • 4  West Coast Chick  5-1

Wavell Avenue is the class leader in the field with a win in the G1 BC Filly and Mare Sprint. A little disappointing in 2016, but should turn it around today. By the Moon has good races at BEL and is decent at the distance. Good outs at a probable price. Bar of Gold won a state-bred stakes last out. Is in deeper waters today’s but is not without chances. West Coast Chick should be the one to catch today.

Race 10

  • 3  Brett the Jet  3-1

  • 12  Southern Union  7/2

  • 6  Cuckoo’s Saloon  4-1

  • 7  Majority  5-1

  • (16  Slapstick  contender if he draws in)

Brett the Jet drops down to MCL today. Makes his second start of 2016 and should improve today. Southern Union has been working at this level a while. Having Jose Ortiz gets him an ITM nod. Cuckoo’s Saloon is speed dropping in class and that is always dangerous. Majority made a big improvement when when moved back to the turf. Can’t ignore the previous race run.

Belmont June 24

Race 1

  • 4  Where’s Willy  3-1

  • 2  Fielding Gold  4-1

  • 3  Perfect Execution  4-1

  • 6  Shoot From the Hip  5-1

Race 2

  • 2  Verdigris  3-1

  • 1  Quick Hit Fever  3-1

  • 9  Miss Swisher  4-1

Race 3

  • 6  Far From Over  8/5

  • 3  Mills  5/2

  • 4  It’s All Relevant  7/2

Race 4

  • 2  Apostrophe  3-1

  • 5  Spectrolite  4-1

  • 8  Lubsen  9/2

Race 5

  • 6  Front  5/2

  • 9  Compliance Officer  7/2

  • 1  Mr. Rosenthal  9/2

Race 6

  • 3  Quality Indeed  3-1

  • 8  Ross J Dawg  7-2

  • 2  Data Driven  7/2

  • 1  Altar Boy  4-1

Race 7

  • 6  Anna Rae  3-1

  • 2  Justoneofakind  7/2

  • 4  Taurine  7/2

Race 8

  • 9  Take These Chains  9/5

  • 2  Half Irish  3-1

  • 1  Shades of Grey  3-1

  • 8  Estelle  4-1

Race 9

  • 9  Rosey Bay  3-1

  • 2  Subtle Lady  7/2

  • 5  Young Anna Lee  4-1

  • 8  Lulu’s Blues  5-1

Belmont June 23

Race 1

  • 1  Imslopokerodriguez  6/5

  • 3  Doctor Dempsey  5/2

  • 4  Summit Moon  4-1

Race 2

  • 3  Appealing Miss  9/5  **HORSE TO WATCH

  • 6  Lebowski  2-1  **HORSE TO WATCH

  • 9  Seek Praise  4-1

Race 3

  • 4  Zamjara  5/2

  • 6  Scout Leader  3-1

  • 1  Shadow Rider  4-1

Race 4

  • 10  Hurricane Ramiro  3-1

  • 8  Refer  7-2

  • 2  Trading Stock  4-1 

  • 3  Moegan Avenue  5-1

Race 5

  • 2  Thomas Knight  8/5

  • 9  High I.Q. Pete  3-1

  • 7  Porch Pounder  4-1

Race 6

  • 10  Barrel of Dreams  5/2

  • 8  Cap’s Vow  5/2

  • 6  Undertherain  4-1

  • 5  Forever Plus  5-1

Race 7

  • 7  Robillard  5/2

  • 2  Miss Chatelaine  3-1

  • 4  My Cara Mia  7/2

Race 8

  • 6  Runaway Posse  3-1

  • 7  Three for Me  3-1

  • 4  Wicked Freud  4-1

Race 9

  • 2  Thin Dress  5/2

  • 5  Spa Duchess  3-1

  • 6  Pleasure Cruise  4-1

  • 9  Stevie the Cat  5-1

Belmont June 22

Race 1

  • 5  Bahama Halo  9/5

  • 3  Noble Ready  3-1

  • 4  Love the Power  4-1

Race 2

  • 4  Regulus  5/2  **HORSE TO WATCH

  • 1 Beach Hut  7/2

  • 7  Day of Fury  4-1

Race 3

  • 5  Stormy Sky  6/5

  • 3  Momameamaria  9/5

  • 4  Noble and a Beauty  5-1

Race 4

  • 7  Wild Chatter  3-1  **HORSE TO WATCH

  • 4  Indygita  7/2

  • 10  Candida  4-1

Race 5

  • 8  Liberty Fuze  3-1

  • 5  Enduring Touch  7/2

  • 4  Touching My Toes  4-1

Race 6

  • 7  Miles of Humor  2-1

  • 3  Master Magician  7/2

  • 1  Clear the Mine  4-1

Race 7

  • 5  Little Jerry  3-1

  • 7  Jonrah  3-1

  • 3  Inventor’s Gate  4-1

  • 6  Wizardly  5-1  **HORSE TO WATCH (qualifying race was on the dirt)

Race 8

  • 12  Queen of Castle  7/2

  • 5  Saratoga Smoke  4-1

  • 10  Sugar Mags  5-1

  • 3  Kitty Maddnes  5-1

Race 9

  • 9  Crimson Cat  5/2

  • 3  Citizen by Day  3-1

  • 7  Hundred Year Storm  4-1

  • 1  Rio Vista  5-1

Belmont June 19

Race 1

  • 4  Our Caravan  9/2

  • 1  You Know I Know/Banner Bill  5/2

  • 6  Winter Games 7/2

Race 2

  • 8  Whatstotalkabout  2-1

  • 4  Ordinaire  3-1

  • 6  Junger 4-1

Race 3

  • 1  Fabulous Kid/Still Krz  3-1

  • 4  Manhattan Mischief  4-1

  • 7  Erik the Red  9/2

Race 4

  • 6  More Than Kisses  2-1

  • 5  Lianita  2-1

  • 2  Athena’s Aegis  4-1

Race 5

  • 3  Tent City  3-1

  • 11  Quaver  7/2

  • 4  Ortiga  4-1

  • 2  Lady of Victory  4-1

Race 6

  • 4  Norm the Giant  3-1  **HORSE TO WATCH

  • 13  John Eddie  4-1

  • 6  Down Town Kitty  9/2

Race 7

  • 9  Coco is Loco  3-1

  • 3  Cliffs of Dover  7/2

  • 8  Hirshbein  4-1

  • 11  Harbor King 5-1

Race 8

  • 10  Ava’s Kitten  3-1

  • 9  Tin Type Gal  4-1

  • 4  Ancient Secret  4-1

  • 5  Welcoming  5-1

Race 9

  • 8  Kundray  2-1

  • 9  Alabama Bound   3-1

  • 5 Maddie’s Revenge  4-1

Belmont June 18

Race 1

  • 2  Againsome  2-1

  • 3  Outlash  5/2

  • 6  Giant Fox  3-1

Race 2

  • 2  Conqust Sure Shot  2-1

  • 7  Made You Look  7/2

  • 5  Master Merion  4-1

Race 3

  • 4  Rapid Rouge  9/5

  • 1  Comandante  2-1

  • 7  Howl  7/2

Race 4

  • 1  Grand Arch  5/2

  • 3  Obviously  3-1

  • 5  King Kreesa  4-1

Race 5

  • 5  Ask For Forgiveness  3-1

  • 2  Cheering Al  3-1

  • 1  Katie Ice  7/2

Race 6

  • 3  Super Alison  5/2  **HORSE TO WATCH

  • 6  Empress Jingu  5/2

  • 2  Riot Worthy  4-1

Race 7

  • 3  Tiz Twice  5/2  **HORSE TO WATCH

  • 1  Fired Up Sensation  3-1

  • 6  Mo’s Ginny  4-1

Race 8

  • 10  Big Rock  3-1

  • 8  Araqeel  7-2

  • 6  Zennor  4-1

  • 5  Liberty Holiday  5-1

Race 9

  • 11  U S Citizen  3-1

  • 4  Liberal Spin  7/2

  • 5  The Imposter  4-1

Race 10

  • 9  Maybry’s Conquest  3-1

  • 7  Irish Actor  7/2

  • 8  Rescue Cat  4-1

Belmont June 17

Race 1

  • 2  Caribbean  2-1

  • 9  Somesville  5/2

  • 3  Ninety One Assault  7/2

Race 2

  • 8  Ethan Hunt  3-1

  • 10  Sunday Soldier  7/2

  • 4  Three to Thirteen  4-1

Race 3

  • 6  Pink for Me  3-1

  • 5  My Jimmy Chew Girl  7/2

  • 7  Stolen Victory  4-1

Race 4

  • 1A  Comet Sixty Two  5/2

  • 4  Red Letter  7/2

  • 8  Awesome Quick  4-1

  • 7  Bissectrisa  5-1

Race 5

  • 8  Startup Nation  8/5

  • 10  Uncle Sigh  5/2

  • 6  Memories of Peter  4-1

Race 6

  • 4  Only You  3-1

  • 9  General Max  3-1

  • 6  Royal Ekati  7/2

  • 1  Saratoga Charlie  4-1

Race 7

  • 4  Uncle Youdge  3-1

  • 6  I Win  4-1

  • 8  Go Go Lucky  9/2

  • 11  Animal Posse  5-1

Race 8

  • 4  Toledo Eddie  2-1

  • 6  Unbridled Juan  2-1

  • 3  Dontbetwithbruno  4-1

Race 9

  • 8  Beyond Belief  3-1

  • 7  Our Ben’s Brush  4-1

  • 5  Rich Dalone  5-1

Belmont June 16

Race 1

  • 3  Geaux Mets  2-1  **HORSE TO WATCH

  • 1  Bug Juice  3-1

  • 6  Street Lord  4-1

Race 2

  • 6  Holy Gold  3-1

  • 2  Leah’s Dream  3-1

  • 9  Song for the Soul  4-1

Race 3

  • 1  Modern Harmony  3-1

  • 2  Tizthefastlaine  7/2

  • 7  Eqyptian Rose  4-1

Race 4

  • 1   Nile Princess  2-1  **HORSE TO WATCH

  • 8   Emerald Pond  2-1

  • 5   Aussie Prayer  7/2

  • 6  North Eight Street  5-1

Race 5

  • 4  Two Down One to Go  2-1

  • 2  Lead by Example  5/2

  • 12  Rio Bear  7/2

  • 8  There Goes Ben 4-1

Race 6

  • 2  Pushme Pullyou  3-1

  • 3  Electro Peg  7/2

  • 4  Can Can Babe  4-1

Race 7

  • 8  Bag of Tricks  9/5

  • 3  Majestic Jessica  3-1

  • 2  Lakeside Sunset  7/2

Race 8

  • 2  Sympathy  5/2

  • 4  Ice Festival  3-1

  • 6  Dea  3-1

  • 7  Rosedale Arch  4-1

Race 9

  • 2  Wake Up Smiling  3-1

  • 11  Dream On  7/2

  • 8  Same Kinda Crazy  4-1