BELMONT PARK – 10/15/21
RACE 1: 2-5-3-6
#2 CORKMAN is about as uninspiring a 1-2 morning line favorite as you’ll ever find. He seems to have found the right field, though, as this bunch is particularly weak. There’s no doubt his best races would make him a handy winner.
RACE 2: 6-2-9-5
The class edge that #6 LA HARA possesses in this field is enormous. He has been underwhelming in his last two starts, but did face a considerably better field last time out. The trip should be there for him as he figures to be positioned just off the pace.
RACE 3: 2/2B-5-1/1A
The pairing of #2 HOLLYWOOD GINA and #2B MALIBU LUNA looks formidable given that each have performed well against better. The latter moves up in class off the claim but has good back form, and the former has more speed.
RACE 4: 8-9-10-2
#8 PIPITO is bred very well for turf and looks formidable on the surface change with blinkers going on as well. This gelding is by 11% turf sire Mastery and is out of a mare who was a multiple turf winner. She dropped turf stakes winner Spanish Mission, so there’s reason to believe the grass could be greener.
RACE 5: 8-3-6-7
#8 SLOW CROSSING is a firster by Street Sense, whose progeny win on debut at a 12% clip and the dam was a 5x winner who earned almost 300k. The dam has dropped four winners and this field is awfully short on talent.
RACE 6: 3-6-1-4
The trip endured by #3 SITTING PRETTY last time out was hardly ideal. She improved significantly from a dull debut to narrowly miss, and she was in tight multiple times in the lane. The added ground should work in her favor, and this barn has heated up of late.
RACE 7: 5-7-9-1
Sprinting might be what #5 INVINCIBLE GAL has always wanted, so the cutback in distance is likely to help her cause. She is in good form having finished a game 2nd in the Virginia Derby last time out from just off a hot pace. She seems to be training forwardly for this engagement as well.
RACE 8: 4-3-2-1
#4 WHISPERING PINES appears to be faster than her rivals in this field. She was a good second in her last start at the Spa as the beaten favorite, and continued to hold her good form. The outside post and lack of a great deal of speed is an asset.
RACE 9: 12-9-4-3
There are a number of ways to go in this nightcap, but #12 CHROME DIXIE makes a great deal of sense. He is in for a tag for the first time and should be within range of the pace. Things heated up quite a bit on the front end last time out and that hurt his chances. This distance figures to suit him well also.
