Selections

Belmont June 2

Selections are for a Fast track and all races on the turf.

Race 1

  • 3  Put It Forward  5/2

  • 1  Life in Shambles  3-1

  • 7 U S Citizen  7/2

High early speed doesn’t seem to be a particular advantage at the sprint distances on the turf. Put It Forward was just claimed by Danny Gargan last year. Gargan is usually good off the claim, although that was almost 11 months ago. He had a 50% winning percentage in 2014, but didn’t do much in 2015. Perhaps Gargan has him straightened out. Should do fine with the distance. Life in Shambles makes a pretty good drop in price. Last race was only his second on the turf and represented a good number. U S Citizen has a tendency to finish second and should have good prospects in the verticals.

Race 2

  • 7  Rare Eagle  3-1

  • 5  Big East  7/2

  • 2  Humboldt N Frost  7/2

This is a race where all the horses have as many negatives as positives. Rare Eagle dropped to this level last out after being off for three and a half months.  He ran well, although he’s not shown a real affinity for winning. I’d venture he’s not worth 8-5, but could be tough off the drop. Big East was a little ambiguous first time with winners, but leading up to that had some good figures with maidens. Humboldt N Frost seems to have all the speed, but hasn’t been courageous in the stretch. Still, could find himself alone up front and that could be dangerous.

Race 3

  • 6  Sky Tom  5/2

  • 4  Shkspeare Shallyah  5/2  **Horse to Watch

  • 7  Snake Oil Charlie   3-1

Sky Tom was racing with better last year and ran a good race first time out in 2016. With improvement he could be the one. Shkspeare Shallyah comes off the HORSES TO WATCH list and gets to be co-choice here. He ran a great race first time out in 2016, breaking poorly but finishing best of all. The down side – the 2 for 32 record is uninspiring. But you have to give him a chance given that last effort. Snake Oil Charlie ran a good figure at this level two back and may be in a good spot turning for home.

Race 4

  • 11  Width  2-1  ** Horses to Watch

  • 7  Shiawassee  4-1

  • 6   Secure Access  4-1

  • 2  She Doesn’t Mind  9/2

Width comes off the HORSES TO WATCH list after leading most of the way in her second start of the year. She was well thought of last year and seems to be ready to pop a big one today. Shiawassee flopped last out at KEE on the soft turf. With a firmer surface she should be a contender. Secure Access had a troubled start in her first out of the year but still showed some interest in the stretch. Best figure from last year would top the field. She Doesn’t Mind runs second time in the U. S. for Chad Brown. First start was a good second after being steadied on the backstretch, but the figure seems a little short of some of the other contenders. Would be no surprise, although the odds may not represent value.

Race 5

  • 1/1A  Hundred Percent/ Roll Tide Roll  1-1

  • 7  Grey Glory  3-1

  • 2  Tabaddol  7/2

The entry of Hundred Percent and Roll Tide Roll looks to be tough in this spot. Roll Tide Roll looks to be the more likely of the two by far. Grey Glory has good speed and adds blinkers today. Drops in price and that should help. Tabaddol is making a substantial drop in price and a slight cutback in distance. Both should make him a legitimate contender today.

Race 6

  • 5  Chase Motto  2-1

  • 2  Girl Talk  5/2

  • 6   Deedeezee  7/2

This race is wide open. I could make a case for any of the horses but I put Chase Motto on top. She showed a ton of speed last out and finished in a good time on a sloppy track. Things may be a little different today, but off the debut she’s the most interesting. Girl Talk made a nice move in her debut race and came back with a sharp workout last out. Will certainly get plenty of action. Deedeezee just missed in her 2016 debut. The time wasn’t fast, but you have to respect Pletcher/Castellano.

Race 7

  • 12  Speeding Comet  3-1

  • 4  Zandar  4-1

  • 8  Summer Breezing  4-1

Speeding Comet came out firing in his first outing of 2016. Likes the distance, likes BEL and if he runs to his last race he’s got the top figure. Zandar is making his 2016 debut after finishing 3 lengths out in a restricted stakes to finish 2015. Likes BEL and should prefer the seven furlong trip. Sumer Breezing won his last out and was taken out of that race by Danny Gargan. He’s strung them together before and it is a good sign he came close to his top from 2015.

Race 8

  • 6  Readthebyline  3-1

  • 4   Street Lord  7/2

  • 7   Beyond the Green  4-1

This race is a fairly wide open and frankly I’m not excited about any of the horses. Readthebyline has two wins in a row and jumps up a little for Danny Gargan. Figure suggests he’s not over his head here. Street Lord figures to be in a good striking position for new trainer DJ. He’s not as prolific as he has been in the past first off the claim, but he should have a real shot with this one. Beyond the Green had run well earlier in 2016 but didn’t seem to enjoy the mud last out. His best makes him a real contender.

Race 9

  • 1  Market Strength  2-1

  • 7  Just Been Jammin  4-1

  • 5   City Gold  5-1

  • 4  Arch Contender  5-1

Market Strength drops from MSW to the claiming ranks and adds blinkersfor Chad Brown. Brown is actually 22% with the addition of blinkers and an incredible 50% moving from MSW to MCL. Just Been Jammin ran a big figure when first moved to the turf and with any improvement is a prime contender. City Gold didn’t race so well in a race washed off the turf. 2YO figures suggest he should be competitive in this race. Arch Contender had trouble at the start in his first race but regathered and managed to make up quite a few lengths. Could be much more dangerous with a better start.