Belmont September 17

Race 1      7-4-3

Northern Screamer showed a little bit of speed in her first race back after a short break and drops from MSW to a low claiming level. Don’t like the drop, but looks strong in this group. Kisses for Romeo has been knocking around at this level but her last two have shown some life. Kay’s Little Mug didn’t have a chance in her first race and comes back after 10 months for Zito. Bit of a stretch but could make the verticals.

Race 2      4-6-1

Bounty Pink is a win type that is 4 of 5 on the BEL dirt.  She’s at the right level and gets a preferred fast track today. Star of the Forest has not run a bad one for Jacobson and is competitive with this group. Has had success at the distance. So Good to Go was claimed last out by Bruce Brown and looks for two in a row.

Race 3      3-2-9

Luv Dakota Skye drops to a level where he has had success before.  Has done his best running at BEL. Ogermeister was grabbed by Gullo last out and he is fair first off the claim. In four starts on the turf has two seconds and a third. Excellent Royale finally gets Lasix and looks to jump up from his last. Will need odds to make him a bet.

Race 4      1-10-6-9

Royalton is one of a group coming out of the Women Win race. She has a little trouble in her first and didn’t show enough speed in her second, but was coming off a two month layoff. Expect improvement today. Lady in Shades puts the blinkers on and cuts back in distance. Last work suggests she’s ready to roll today. Stone Supplier was second in the aforementioned Women Win race. Last was really better than looked – don’t buy the DRF guess that the last was a regression from the first race because the Beyer’s figure was lower. She was on a much faster pace in a much faster race. Kellyesque also comes out of the Women Wins race. Couldn’t keep up but that race was impressive for a first effort, and don’t discount the massive switch to Irad.

Race 5      7-5-9

Cease is a bit overestimated on the ML but does have a series of figures that should handle this field. Grandpa Len didn’t run that well at SAR but prior to that ran a couple of good ones at BEL. Popular at the claim box. Groomedforvictory has been a hard campaigner and  is good at BEL and the distance.

Race 6      2-12-9

Blue Earth drops down to the claiming ranks after running a good learning race in her first start. Angel Choir makes her tenth start in search of a win. Has the figures to be a factor here. Pointe Class puts the blinkers on after running an improved race when dropped to $40K. Seems to have picked up on the turf and at the route distance. Interesting switch to Cancel.

Race 7      3-7-2-8

Welcome Speech drops to his lowest level and off his best competes with this group. Winner’s Legacy makes a substantial drop today in search of a win. An easier group may be the tonic. Suzy’sprideofparis has some competitive figures and at 20-1 ML is worth a look. Quarla flopped at SAR but prior to that had been running competitively. Looks a lot more likely for an in-the-money finish than a win.

Race 8      7-6-2

Beyond Empire has been close in three starts in the U.S. after trying Dubai. Figures look dominant. All About Ashley is 2 for 2 at BEL and should be fighting up front today. The scratch of Petrocelli might help him. Force raced well in a state-bred stakes last out and should have first run at the leaders.

Race 9      5-6-11

Miss Rickles showed a lot of improvement second time out and at 10-1 is worth a look. Scout It Out showed well when moved to turf and dropped in price. Expect improvement today. Splendid Gold is coming from the far outside and has to overcome that disadvantage but has been competing well at the turf sprint.