BELMONT PARK – 7/8/23
RACE 1: 5-3-1-7
Despite the sire underperforming with first time starters, #5 DOROTHY’S DREAMS is reportedly training well for the unveiling. The dam here was a 3x winner who scored at 2YO and has produced 4 winners from as many to race thus far as a broodmare. The price should be fair in a competitive heat on paper.
RACE 2: 4-6-5-7
#4 DRINK THE WIND is the one to beat coming back off a layoff following a handy win last out against lesser. Trainer Linda Rice brings him back off the break in for 12.5k and he is the lone speed on paper. Her numbers with claimers coming off of wins and brief layoffs are subpar, but the pace advantage is too much to overlook.
RACE 3: 8-4-3-7
The wide trip worked against #8 SPUN SPECIAL last time out as she lost ground early before getting up for second. She is a candidate to improve here third off a layoff and has run two strong races on turf in her career. She should be more involved early in what is likely to be a slower paced race. This barn has quietly had a good run at this stand.
RACE 4: 6-1-2-3
#6 BOUNCER is clearly the horse to beat off a good second place finish last time out on Belmont day. He has speed and can either control this race from the start or sit just off the pace and pounce when ready. He has run two races in his last two that make him an absolute standout as a heavy favorite.
RACE 5: 4-3-1-5
As disappointing as he’s been, there’s reason to take a stand against #4 CHARGE IT, but he looks to be too much for these. He is the one to catch in a paceless race and is getting serious class relief from his last few starts. The play here is a cold exacta over #3 CLAPTON, as that is the best way to create value.
RACE 6: 6-10-9-7
There’s been some real trouble in the last two outings of #6 SIKUM, who was out of the gate poorly two starts back. She wound up making one of the only off the pace moves in that affair and should get some pace help here. This is an underrated barn that has had enough success in NY for this gal to be given a serious look today.
RACE 7: 4-2-6-7
#4 VITTORIO is the one to beat for trainer Bill Mott off of a narrow miss last out against comparable foes. He adds blinkers today and that might only keep him closer to the pace today. He goes a sixteenth of a mile shorter and that will make it important for him to stay forward. There’s precious little pace signed on in here.
RACE 8: 2-1-4-6
The recent effort against N2X competition for #2 STRIKINGLY SPUN was good enough to give her a look here at a price. She showed enough tactical speed that day to stay close and can be the right alternative to the favorites here. No denying that #1 MISSION OF JOY is clearly the one to beat in here but using both in the multi-race bets is the move.
RACE 9: 5-9-11-8
#5 WHAT SAY THEE is an interesting price here coming back off a break as a new gelding. He was last seen at Keeneland running an even race at 9fs with no pace help at all. He is likely going to be better shorter given his past performances, so this distance might be ideal. The price here will be robust as well.
RACE 10: 11-7-5-10
European shippers have done well in this race over the years and #11 THE FOXES looks quite formidable on paper. He’s kept excellent company of late, including checking in 5th behind dual classic winner Auguste Rodin. The distance should suit him well given he came up wanting late at 12 panels last time out. The only real worry is the outside post given the rails are coming down today.
RACE 11: 1-8-7-5
#1 INTERPOLATE took the best shot of the favorite last time out at Keeneland and nearly got the job done. She figures to get an enormous pace setup today with no fewer than 4 potential speedsters signed up in here. The time away can only help this Chad Brown trainee and this is the spot to bet on her given the competitive nature of the field.
RACE 12: 12-1-2-10
#12 BOSTON STRONG MAMA is bred for early success and there’s a lot of strong runners on the dam side. He need not be much to contend for top honors here in this weak field and the competitiveness of the field will lead to him being a good price.
