BELMONT PARK – 5/5/2023
RACE 1: 1-3-6-4
#1 FAST BOAT TO SKYE is back on dirt and that’s the best surface for this son of Cairo Prince. He was a good second on a sloppy surface in December at Aqueduct and has the necessary tactical speed to stay within range early this afternoon. He’ll be among the favorites on the surface switch as well.
RACE 2: 4-5-1-3
#4 SAFALOW’S MISSION was close to the pace last time out while wide and the rail was the place to be that afternoon. He wound up faltering late but looks to rebound here for trainer Linda Rice. This barn scored a win on opening day of the meet and he is overdue to clear this condition.
RACE 3: 5-6-4-3
#5 HOOEY was claimed out of his debut for trainer Linda Rice for 20k and now moves up to the 40k level. This barn is 44% (8-18) with maidens in dirt sprints first off of claims ($2.32 ROI) and this gelding is the main speed on paper. If he is able to get loose early then he will be tough to catch in the final stages.
RACE 4: 4-5-1
#4 HIGHER TRUTH is the one to catch this afternoon off a runner-up effort in the The Very One last time out at Gulfstream. This mare ran into traffic trouble around the turn in that affair and wound up unleashing strong late bid. She has been effective at marathon distances before and the quickest way for her to negotiate the trip today will be on the front end.
RACE 5: 7-6-2-3
#7 ELECTRIC STUFF is a player from the start today going back to dirt after a strong run in his second outing. He showed speed in his turf debut and should be a forward factor once again in here. What’s left of this field is really the question, so tab the tote action after the changes. #6 LAUNCH CONTROL is also a threat on the surface switch after a promising debut on dirt.
RACE 6: 3-8-6-1
#3 JOHN’S PROTÉGÉ was wide the whole trip last time out on a day when saving ground was essential. He is moving up in class for trainer Chris Englehart but that’s not of great concern given the blurred class lines between 20k and 40k. The best races this gelding has run make him a contender at a price.
RACE 7: 6-2-1-10
#6 DAUFUSKIE ISLAND is returning off a break and dropping in for a tag for trainer Charlton Baker. The pedigree here doesn’t scream turf, so there’s reason to like this one staying on the main track. He has ample early speed and is capable of getting loose today depending on the scratches.
RACE 8: 2-7-8-6
#2 EXPRESSMAN is stretching back out to a mile off a 3rd place finish in the Carter last time out. He didn’t have the cleanest of trips in the Carter, as he was in tight around the half-mile pole before losing position. He put a nice bid in when the race was collapsing and the runner he narrowly bested came back to win here on Sunday and improved his Beyer figure by 8 points.
RACE 9: 11-5-7-4
#11 SUCCULENT looks like the best turf horse in this race and was pace compromised last time out. She should be along in the late stages and there’s enough questionable speed in here to set the table. She should be among the favorites to boot.
BELMONT SPRING STATS: 9-5-3-0 $48.60
