Selections

Belmont July 2

Race 1

  • 3  Libby’s Tall  3-1

  • 1  Golden Mischief  3-1

  • 5  Coasted  4-1

Difficult two year old affair to start the day. Libby’s Tale is one of the last of the Tiz Wonderful’s to be bred in America. They are exceptional first time out and on wet tracks, and Rudy Rodriguez has good numbers with debut horses. Golden Mischief already has two starts, one in the Astoria. She looked good in both races and would be no surprise in the win slot.

Race 2

  • 6  Spearhead  3-1 

  • 4  Royal Saint  7/2 9/5

  • 2  Tashreeh  4-1 5/2

I thought you could make a case for about any of the horses. Spearhead is about 50% first or second (although more seconds than wins) and should be around at the finish. Royal Saint ships in from CD, but he has one good race at Belmont. Tashreeh looked good in his first on the turf in a while. Off the turf: Tasreeh has a strong win in the mud at BEL. Royal Saint hadn’t been on the turf and has done well on the wet dirt. May turn out to be the favorite. The top turf choices are also the top wet track horses. Both Zoom and Los Borrrachos have shown an affinity for wet tracks. 

Race 3

  • 6 Norm the Giant 5/2 **HORSE TO WATCH

  • 2 Miroc 3-1

  • 3 Il Fratello 7/2

Norm the Giant got off to a slow beginning in his last race, dropping back 12 lengths early, made a furious close to nab the place and was getting to the winner late. Miroc has shown good speed at BEL.

Race 4

  • 1  Commend/Seize  4/5

  • 7  Art Boss  5/2

  • 5  Rate For Me  3-1

The Mott entry of Commend and Seize both look superior in this field. Art Boss ran well in his debut race and has good turf breeding.

Race 5

  • 1  Man of Wiregrass  9/5

  • 3  Zartax  3-1

  • 8  Daggerpoint  4-1

Man of Wiregrass has shown an ability to prompt the pace and should appreciate the cutback in distance.  Zartax has a strong win on the BEL slop and takes a big drop from his first start with winners. Daggerpoint comes in off the MTO list.

Race 6

  • 7  Rock Me Again  3-1

  • 8  Ice Festival  7/2

  • 2  Dea  4/1

  • 3  Taralena  5-1

Rock Me Again ran in a restricted, State-bred stake last out at PEN, drops today into this OC $25K. Has a win on the BEL turf and should negotiate the distance. Ice Festival has also been competitive at BEL and at the distance. Dea has been competitive in most of her races and seems to run consistent figures.

Race 7

  • 7  Hey Bro  9/5

  • 3  Proven Commodity  3-1

  • 6  Classic Salsa  4-1

Hey Bro hasn’t been out of the money in his last six and is coming off a win. Frankly, there are a number of horses in here with chances, but I like the consistency and the fact Hey Bro is hard trying. Proven Commodity has been off a long while, but looks like the best speed. Albertrani has been known to pop one off the layoff. Classic Salsa is high percentage at the distance and on the BEL dirt.

Race 8

  • 7  Mississippi Delta  2-1

  • 8  Onus  5/2

  • 6  My Sweet Girl  4-1

Very difficult race to handicap, and will depend on the condition of the track. Mississippi Delta may be better suited for the sprint distances but the mile is certainly not beyond her capability. Onus prepped well in her first race of 2016 and has been given sufficient time to recover. Should be tough in this spot. My Sweet Girl is better than her ML odds and could be used in the verticals.

Race 9

  • 5  Lewis Bay  9/5

  • 6  Rachel’s Valentine  9/5

  • 2  Off the Tracks  3-1

Lewis Bay has a second in the BEL mud and has been strong in her Graded events. Rachel Valentina looks to be the better of the Pletcher entrants and breeding suggests a wet track should be no issue. Off the Tracks ran well in the first leg of the filly Triple Crown, the Acorn, and is another of the strong Pletcher runners.

Race 10

  • 2  Potentially  7/5

  • 3  Irish Prayer  8/5

  • 7  Bedside Blues  4-1

This is not a high grade field and may or may not stay on the turf. Potentially is dropping out of straight maidens and that makes him a contender. Irish Prayer has a close second at this level and has shown some ability on a wet track. Bedside Blues has the best speed and should be better off at the sprint distance.