The mid-week cards have been disappointing at Belmont. Races either look like only one horse can win or nobody can win. The “co-features” are a pair of NW1X Allowance races for state breds circled by three maiden races, three claiming races, and an optional claimer. I can guarantee this – there will be a couple of races where you’ll be scratching your head about the winner, especially now that they have taken three of the six scheduled races off the turf.

Race 1

Stays on the turf, scratch the MTO, Lotasa Noodles.

• 6 Kenzadargent – was racing in Group races as recently as June; won his last at about this class; had serious seconditis in Europe but isn’t up against much today. Looks like another winner’s circle picture for Brown and Irad.
• 2 Almost an Angel – is listed at 10-1 and isn’t any worse than others in here; trainer hitting at 24% this year and the combo with Gabriel Saez has been even higher. As much right to place as anyone.

Race 2

• 1 Invasion Point – has been fading badly in longer races and on the turf. but his best race was on the dirt at a mile and an eighth; drops another notch in claiming price  and takes the blinkers off. Maker 22% turf to dirt.
• 6 Wishandaprayer – first timer for Carlos Martin shows some quick works; could take the field all the way.
• 9 Artemus Paperboy – disappointed as the fav two back and never got into the race last out. Jacobson claims win with great regularity and it would be a surprise if he stayed a maiden too much longer.

Race 3

Has been taken off the turf. My original selections are shown below. MTO 1 Julie Napp is at 6-5 on the ML and probably will go off near those odds. The other MTO 8 Mr Rico Is Valid has some early foot and may actually go off as second choice. This does not look like a good betting race.

• 2 Stage Name – puts the blinkers on and drops back to 6F. Drops from starter allowance last two to $40K NW2L claiming.  Reasonably good chance in a weak field.
• 6 Courageous Karen – hasn’t shown an affinity for being in front at the wire but does have competitive figures; another that only looks good based on the weak field.
• 9 Blistering Strike – Drops from Penn National ALW to this claimer. At 12-1 she generates some interest.

Race 4

This race was tough before they took it off the turf. Two MTOs 10 Shoot the Moon and 11 Quezon are both first time starters  and neither was listed at low odds on the ML. Quezon has a very high wet track rating and may be the value in the race. The other MTO 12 The Lewis Dinner is listed at 2-1 on the ML and may go off lower. She has two races with a place and a show. She’s backed up in the stretch but,  of the starters, dominates in terms of figures. Go Babe still looks playable considering she showed speed on the dirt last out. 

• 4 R Y Squadron – one of the ubiquitous Chad Brown 1st time starters on the turf. Looks typically ready to pop.
• 7 Go Babe – showed a bit of speed when fighting the bit and looks like she bled a half mile in. She gets Lasix today and Castellano.
• 1 Stolen Victory – Part of the Contessa entry along with Wesdrewmax. Nice series of works, especially the last one.

Race 5

• 4 North Ocean – has run some excellent figures and has been relatively consistent. Claimed in each of his last three and dropped to his lowest level today. If he’s healthy, he’ll be hard to beat.
• 2 M J Plus – has been first or second in half his starts. The hot David Jacobson trains.
• 7 Matt and Jesse – is more of an in the money type but is fast enough to get a piece here.

Race 6

Two MTOs in this race, 4 First Bid and 10 Classic Sense. They are likely to be the top two choices at post time. 1A Killer Crossover has primarily been a dirt horse and has a very high wet track rating. 

• 9 Pep the Champ – likely has some physical issues that keep him from starting very often. Looked good breaking his maiden and came back to finish less than a length out in a $50K starter. Back at this level with three solid works since his last. Addition of blinkers two back seems to have made all the difference.
• 5 March Reward – puts the blinkers on today in an attempt to focus his speed. Fast enough to be the winner, but needs to show some heart.
• 2 Smokey Brown – been close in 3 of 4 this year and should run his best at today’s distance.

Race 7

• 7 Blithely – Three race career, a win and two places. Laid off for close to a year and came out at SAR running; only figures to  improve today.
• 1/1A The Lost Tigress and Very Accomplished – Very Accomplished finished 3rd in the Blithely race at SAR but seems a little stuck at NW1X. Lost Tigress second in the mud last out and seems just as well placed as stablemate.
• 8 My Girl Madison – speedster ships from MTH and jumps up a little here. Three solid lifetime starts.
• 4 Verisimilitude – ran into the monstrous effort by Girlaboutown first out on the SAR dirt, came back to win on the turf after a troubled trip. Looks very competitive here

Race 8

• 5 Iced Over – Broke his maiden on the SAR grass and lost chances when he stumbled at the break in his NW1X, but made a nice close to finish 3rd.
• 9 Adams Note – tactical speed, competitive figures and 10-1 on the ML. Not without chances.
• 8 Blue Pigeon – Clement trainee is improving; thought well enough of him to put him in a Grade 2 as a 2 year-old. Needed the SAR races and should run his top race today.
• 1 Gridley Here – has been with quality NY breds this year; cuts back in distance to the mile and seems well suited for that. One of the competitors in a competitive race.

Race 9

• 9 Tiger D – 2-1 ML favorite been knocking at the door and should be let in today.
• 5 Boston Strong – Not quite Wicked Strong but has done well in two starts with state-bred maidens. Took a month off after last but has been working steadily  for his return.
• 4 Talledega – he’s shown a nice closing kick in both of his races and his last workout might give him a little more speed than he’s had. Solid contender.
• 10 Keen’s Culpa – 15-1 longshot finished 5 behind Tiger D in his one turf start and didn’t disgrace himself. Worth using for a minor award at the odds.