Selections

Belmont April 30

Seemed like it was better to come from off the pace  Saturday. The track seemed to have some give in it. We’ll see if it tightens up Sunday.

Race 1

  • 1  Rally Cry
  • 6  Testosterstone
  • 5  Adulator
  • Secondary (4)
  • The favorites may turn out to be too strong. There is a lot speed here, and Diversify may be the fastest of them all. But I’m leaning toward Rally Cry. He made an impressive 2017 debut, and I believe he has improved from 3 to 4 and should run better today. Testosterstone has been in good form and comes off a win in the Mr. Sinatra. He seems to represent the value.

Race 2

  • 5  Pimm’s Cup
  • 7  Mission Trip
  • 8  Steady Heat
  • Secondary (4)
  • This is a competitive race. I’m taking a chance on a horse that should be a longshot but is listed at 4-1 on the ML, Pimm’s Cup.  I think his odds will go up by post time. He came out last year at Saratoga and had no chance after breaking poorly. He drops into a MCL today and it looks like McPeek has been seeking a spot for him. He’s been gelded since last year and picks up first Lasix today. Mission Trip has run two good races at the level and should  go favorite today. Steady Heat improved in the drop from MSW to MCL and figures to be part of the picture today.

Race 3

  • 4  Big Handsome
  • 5  Delphina
  • 2  Undulated
  • Secondary (3)
  • Big Handsome should have no trouble stepping up to the ALW level or running at the six furlongs. Any improvement puts her well on top. Delphina was overmatched in the Bourbon Oaks, but prior to that demolished a field at TP. Looks strong today. Undulated should enjoy the return to 6F. She’s a stakes winner in Canada and just missed in a Futurity at Laurel as a 2YO.

Race 4

  • 9  Magsamelia
  • 3  Reckless Humor
  • 6  Summer House
  • No real insight here. The favorites look tough and the others will have to show something more than what seems to be available in the past performances.

Race 5

  • 3  Wage Acceleration
  • 5  Polar City
  • 6  Peace Speaker
  • 1A  Army Mule
  • This is one of those MSW’s for lightly raced three year olds. Wage Acceleration ran well first time out for Chad Brown and has been working regularly for his return. Polar City goes first time for Mark Casse. He has a series of nice workouts for his debut. Should show some speed today. Peace Speaker had a nice debut at GP for Kieran McLaughlin and should improve with that start under his belt. Army Mule is the offering from the still potent combination of Pletcher/Velasquez. Good workout pattern and good breeding for the distance.

Race 6

  • 11  Tiz a Chance
  • 7  Aragonite
  • 3  West Hills Giant
  • Secondary (4, 6)
  • While I’m a little hesitant to go all the way to the outside, Tiz a Chance should enjoy his return to BEL and while the 6F might be a little short for him, I like the running style and his recent figures. Aragonite has been off a while but has run well fresh before. He should enjoy the return to the turf. West Hills Giant scratched to run in this spot. He’s had a lot of trouble finding the winner’s circle, but is regularly in the money.  Both Grand Sky and Irish Prayer can’t be disregarded.

Race 7

  • 10  Mama Joyce
  • 2  Littlemissbusiness
  • 1  Maria Got Even
  • Secondary (4)
  • Mama Joyce ran well in the Karakorum Elektra stakes after returning to the Gary Contessa barn. Lightly raced filly is a win type , fits the conditions and should be in a good position turning for home. Littlemissbusiness should enjoy the return to BEL. Drop in price should help today. Maria Got Even won at a claiming price just below this level at today’s distance and she was respectable when she jumped up to  the OC$62,500 level. She’s got big outs today.

Race  8

  • 3  Hip Hop N Jazz
  • 5  Fair Point
  • 1  Miss Ella
  • Secondary (6)
  • Hip Hop N Jazz hasn’t been out of the money in her eight race career and seems to have taken a liking to the turf.  This should be her sternest test but her turf numbers put her right in the mix. Fair Point makes her 2017 debut after finishing last year with a win and a very close second in a pair of Grade 3’s. Has the lifetime best figures in this field. Miss Ella also makes her 2017 debut and left 2016 with a very close second to Fair Point. Definitely an interesting race.

Race 9

  • 1  Homewood Point
  • 12  Harlan’s Hunch
  • 10  Britain
  • Secondary (6, 9)