Belmont July 17

Race 1

  • 4  Young Anna Lee  8/5

  • 1  Time Squared  5/2

  • 3  Lilikoi  7/2

Young Anna Lee looks like the pacesetter. Has a tendency to be in the money instead of the win, but looks like she’s got a soft spot here. Time Squared and Lilikoi have had multiple chances and while they can’t be discounted, they look more like in the money sorts.

Race 2

  • 9  Uncle Chester  5/2

  • 10  Two Down One to Go  5/2

  • 1  Leaveemathegate  4-1

  • 3  Ordinaire  4-1

This is a tough race to call. Uncle Chester has the best last race figures and should appreciate the distance cutback. Two Down One to Go has shown speed at the route and is another that should appreciate the seven furlong distance. Leaveemathegate and Ordinaire both have legitimate chances.

Race 3

  • 5  Spectacular Flash  3-1

  • 4  Warriors Diva  7/2

  • 2  Lil Renegade  4-1

It’s another competitive race. It looks like it lacks any serious speed, so Spectacular Flash gets the nod. Warriors Diva and Lil Renegade both come off wins at lesser levels, but the number say they are contenders.

Race 4

  • 1  Majestic Jessica  9/5

  • 4  Shotgun Love  2-1

  • 5  My Won Love  4-1

Majestic Jessica won comfortably at this level in April. Should be prompting the pace. Shotgun Love didn’t seem to care for the slop but prior to that was competitive with better. My Won Love won at the level two back and should contend today.

Race 5

  • 6  Lead by Example  3-1

  • 4  Vino Blanco  4-1

  • 7  Courageous Colonel  5-1

A number of these horses are coming out of the same June 16 affair and they were all close to each other. Lead by Example was close up at the finish and adds blinkers today. Vino Blanco makes his 2016 debut in this MCL event after racing last year at the MSW level. He was gelded over the winter and if he is in shape he should compete.

Race 6

  • 5  Chang’s Secret  3-1

  • 1  Forever in Love  3-1

  • 6  Fearthefalcon  7/2

Chang’s Secret moves over to state-breds for today’s run. He’s got the highest last race figure and gets Irad Ortiz in the saddle. Forever in Love is co-choice. He made a good 2016 debut at this level. Fearthefalcon has a lot of starts but he figures suggest he’s an in the money threat.

Race 7

  • 8  Kitty Madness  3-1

  • 5  Table for Six  4-1

  • 7  Queen of the Castle  9/2

I could make a case for most of the horses in this race. Kitty Madness nipped Queen of the Castle last out and earned the top last race figure. Table for Six almost won his 2016 debut and comes back with blinkers on. Queen of the Castle did not have the best trip last time and could be a winner with a better trip today.

Race 8

  • 8  Gioia Stella  3-1

  • 6  On Leave  7/2

  • 9  She Doesn’t Mind  7/2

  • 2  J La Tache  5-1

Another race with a bunch of potential winners. Gioia Stella ran decently in defeat in the Wonder Again and is back at the OC$80 level today. On Leave comes off a nice maiden win in her 2016 debut and looks like a major contender today. She Doesn’t Mind is the Chad Brown entrant and that is enough to put her in the mix. J La Tache is one of the speed horses and that makes her dangerous.

Race 9

  • 1  Zenna  5/2  **HORSE TO WATCH

  • 4  Paz the Bourbon  5/2

  • 6  Wilburnmoney  5/2

Zenna and Wilburnmoney ran 1-2 in the last race and I like Zenna to turn the tables today. Paz the Bourbon came from the clouds last out and earned the top number doing it. Frankly, any of the top three could win this race.

Race 10

  • 5  Cav  3-1

  • 4  Uptown Joe  4-1

  • 1  Refer  5-1

Cav makes only his third start and looked good in his 2016 debut with the addition of blinkers. Uptown Joe and Refer both have double digit starts and look more likely in the verticals.