Selections

Belmont July 16

Race 1

  • 2  Escape to the Moon  5/2

  • 5  Second City  3-1

  • 1  Royal Squeeze  3-1

This is a competitive looking race. Escape to the Moon ran evenly in a state-bred stake at FL a month and a half ago. Prior to that he ran a good one at this class level. The only question is whether seven furlongs is his best distance, although he does have a win, place and show at the distance. He’ll be the pace factor and that makes him dangerous. Second City has been claimed twice in his last two, and fits the level well. He’s got a win at the distance and he has a proclivity to find the winners circle. Royal Squeeze checked badly in his last race but prior to that was competitive at this level.

Race 2

  • 4  Indygita  7/2

  • 2  Emerald Pond  4-1

  • 6  Barrel of Dreams  9/2

Indygita jumped up to this level last out and ran competitively. Seems to like the distance and BEL. Emerald Pond is another taking a few steps up the ladder but her figures suggest she’s in the mix. Barrel of Dreams comes off a win in a NW2L race and should be the one prompting the pace.

Race 3

  • 4  Runaway Lute  5/2  **HORSE TO WATCH

  • 3  Manifest Destiny  5/2  **HORSE TO WATCH

  • 5  Silver Mission  3-1

Two horses to watch in the same race and they both look strong. Runaway Lute ran under mild urging, extending his lead steadily to win by 12. Manifest Destiny went right to the front, was challenged most of the way around the track but drew away strongly. Silver Mission is 2 for 2 including a win in the Tremont. A small but competitive field.

Race 4

  • 1  Mini Sala  3-1

  • 5  T R Crew  7/2

  • 7  Howell Mountain  7/2

Mini Sala had a little bit of trouble at the start last out and back up a bit in the stretch, but he’s very well bred and was a pricey yearling purchase. Could be the value in the race. T R Crew just missed last out and has a good running style. Howell Mountain seems to be improving for Pletcher who does well off the short layoff.

Race 5

  • 9  Same Kinda Crazy  2-1

  • 6  C d’Cat  5/2

  • 3  Sauvignon  3-1

Same Kinda Crazy finally broke her maiden on her fifth try but had been competitive up to that point. Should be at the top of her form, has shown a liking for BEL and can make it two in a row at the distance. C d’Cat ran well in her first out of 2016 and that was a lifetime top for her. That bodes well in this field. Sauvignon jumps up after a MCL$40K, but her numbers give her a shot.

Race 6

  • 5  Nuffsaid Nuffsaid  9/5

  • 2  Distinctive Lady  3-1

  • 6  De Wildcat Girl  4-1

Nuffsaid Nuffsaid lost her chance at the start and takes a drop to $25K today. Should be prompting the pace and on her best looks to be tops in this field. Distinctive Lady has almost twice as many seconds as wins, but she looks solid in the verticals. De Wildcat Girl jumps up off an impressive win at $12,500. She’s good at the distance and on the BEL dirt.

Race 7

  • 8  Asscher  5/2

  • 5  Fly Swift  3-1

  • 7  Lull  7/2

Asscher lost all chance at the start but made a strong close to earn a decent figure. With a sharper break she could be tops today. Fly Swift has a good workout pattern for Clement. She’s well bred for the turf and the distance. Lull is by top turf sire War Front and a Tiznow mare. Another that looks to have been well prepped for the debut by Clement.

Race 8

  • 1  Force the Pass  6/5

  • 2  Tapitation  3-1

  • 4  King Kreesa  4-1

Force the Pass has been running a steady diet of Graded stakes. He’s 7 of 7 in the money at the distance and 2 of 2 on the BEL turf. Will be tough to beat in this spot. Tapitation has five wins and four seconds in eleven starts, including a state-bred stake. Some nice positives in this spot. King Kreesa just keeps going at age 7 and is the defending champion in this race. Always tries hard and cannot be ignored.

Race 9

  • 6  Saturday Appeal  3-1

  • 9  Street Chief  7/2

  • 4  Point Hope  4-1

Saturday Appeal nearly won at this level two back and didn’t look bad jumping up to a statebred NW1X. If he runs back to the penultimate effort he looks tops. Street Chief makes his BEL debut off some middling efforts at IND and CD. Has a win at a much better level at OP in January. Brad Cox is a high percentage trainer and should be respected here. Point Hope is another that hasn’t raced well at higher levels but has a win against much better as recently as February. Part of this ambiguous race picture.

Race 10

  • 5  Subtle Lady  3-1

  • 8  Electrified  7/2

  • 6  Irish Actor  4-1

Subtle Lady lost the rider at the start last out, gets a switch to Johnny V today. Linda Rice is very good second off the layoff. Electrified ran well first time out last June and returns to the races at the MCL level. Debut race showed decent potential and if Weaver has her in shape she should be a factor. Irish Actor puts the blinkers on today in an effort to get some focus. Rice is 32% blinkers on.