BELMONT AT THE BIG A – 10/5
RACE 1: 3-6-4-1/1A
#3 EXPERIMENTAL is training well for Chad Brown, who snagged 4 wins yesterday afternoon and nearly had a fifth. This filly is by 18% debut sire Practical Joke and is out of a dam who won once. The ownership here has already had success breeding fast 2YOs this year with the fleet-footed Ways and Means currently sidelined.
RACE 2: 1-6-3-4
#1 CHASING DAYLIGHT is dropping significantly in class for trainer Jorge Abreu and faces drastically weaker today than she has in recent outings. The price here will be paltry, but she is the only competitor that has multiple prior efforts which would win this race. The rail is a potential negative but there’s little to no speed signed on in here.
RACE 3: 6-4-3-1
#6 LIBRETTO is the horse to beat coming back from a break following a good effort going 10 panels at Belmont. She has improved since moving to the barn of Mike Maker, who excels with distance types on the weeds. This gal has enough tactical speed to stay close and now lures Irad Ortiz, Jr. for the first time.
RACE 4: 7-4-2-3
#7 MOTIVO drops in for a tag for trainer Rick Dutrow, Jr. after two failed tries against MSW company. He draws well outside to stalk and pounce and should be a decent price in a competitive heat. The debut effort he put forth in his prior barn would make him a major threat today.
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RACE 5: 6-8-7-3
This race is CRYING for an upset given the lack of success the trainers of the two favorites have had of late, so #6 DATESFREEDOM gets the nod. Being wedged inside against much better last time out hardly helped his chances, but he never really stopped running and is a candidate to improve here at a huge price. He was also totally up against it two back in terms of track proflle while also facing a much tougher field.
RACE 6: 6-2-5-9
#6 SOLO’S FURY is a second time starter for trainer Jeremiah Englehart who ran a good race on debut. While he was ultimately no match for the runaway winner, this colt should improve with experience. He clearly has speed and should be wound tighter for this engagement off the promising debut.
RACE 7: 6-2-7-8
#6 SAINTHOODFORBRIAN is a late runner and should be heard from in the lane. He should get a strong pace to run at this afternoon and will be a good price at the windows. His recent form has been encouraging as well and the Laurel effort from mid-July was good enough to win here.
RACE 8: 2-6-5-8
#2 PURE PAULINE is back off a lengthy layoff for trainer Todd Pletcher after finishing fourth in the Golden Rod in her final start of 2022. This barn is good off the bench and this filly ran fast enough as a juvenile to be considered a contender in here. If she is able to get the lead in the opening stages she can go the distance.
RACE 9: 6-4-2-8
The effort put forth by the rider of #6 ENGLISH STORM last time out is questionable at best. He wound up fifth and galloped out ahead of the field in his first start off a lengthy break. He now faces a weaker field coming back off a layoff and gets a key rider switch. Look for him to arrive on the scene late.
BAQ 2023 STATS: 93-29-12-12 $180.60
