BELMONT AT THE BIG A – 9/21
RACE 1: 6-4-7-3
#6 MAMA’S DREAM feels like a good alternative to the likely favorite #4 MISCHIEF JOKE who has the look of a future professional maiden. He draws well on the outside and gets Irad Ortiz, Jr so there’s plenty to like. The dam was stakes placed and has dropped 6 winners from as many to race.
RACE 2: 3-5-4-1
#3 BEST ACTOR is the speed of the speed in here on a class drop for the high percentage barn of Brad Cox. He gets Lasix again and makes the third start of his form cycle, which is usually a time when horses can take an appreciable step forward. The pace scenario being in his favor helps.
RACE 3: 7-6-4-5
#7 MYSTIC NIGHT is first off a claim by Mertkan Kantarmaci. He was a non-threatening 4th in a pace dominated race last time out and needs to be kept closer to the pace today. There’s still upside with this son of Into Mischief even if his best days are behind him. That is because Kantarmaci is skilled with veteran claiming types and he’s been compromised in his last two.
RACE 4: 2-3-6-7
#2 KURAMATA is no start but he is absolutely supposed to win this race. He is going to get a massive pace setup in a race loaded with front end speed. You’ll also get a fair price given his lackluster effort last time out as a heavy 4/5 favorite. Flavien Prat replacing Irad Ortiz, Jr. will actually help his price.
the_ad_group id=”684827932″]
RACE 5: 9-3-7-6
#9 ISOLA has been in dire need of a cutback in distance and gets it here for Jack SIsterson. This Irish-bred daughter of Kodiac has pulled aggressively early in each of her two domestic outings. That’s often a sign a horse needs shorter distances where they can settle and make one run. This gal has also trained well in the past and meets a far softer bunch today.
RACE 6: 2B-4-6-9
Can #2B FORTY TWO ACE just sneak away from this field early? He was involved in a white hot pace last time out when he ultimately tired late and should be able to get loose today with the jockey aboard who was in the irons for his last win. This is a large and competitive field but he represents the right price play even as part of an entry.
RACE 7: 8-4-2-1
#8 FRANCESCO CLEMENTE is new to the care of Chad Brown after beginning his career in Britain. He has shown ability in prior outings and earned Thorograph figures that would make him very tough to beat in this affair. Brown is 27% with turf routers new to this country getting Lasix for the first time ($2.08 ROI).
RACE 8: 8-6-5-4
#8 BIG ENGINE raced up a dead rail last time out en route to a 4th place finish in a tough N2X for NY breds at the Spa. He now returns off a brief respite second off a claim by Mike Maker. This is often a time when this veteran conditioner has gotten his recent claims figured out and the expectation is this guy should get a good trip in stalk and pounce range from the start.
RACE 9: 12-11-3-1
#12 ATLANTA’S ACUNA is back on turf after showing speed in his last grass outing en route to a strong 3rd place finish. He draws outside today, which is the biggest negative but he can get close to the likely pacesetter on the rail and get the jump on the deeper closers. The price here should be fair as well in a competitive heat.
BAQ 2023 STATS: 38-13-4-5 $116.10
