BELMONT PARK – 6/10/23
RACE 1: 2-4-5-9
#2 GET RESPECT is going to have speed from an inside post on a course that favors rail runners at the moment. She showed some life last year as a 3YO and comes back off a layoff in a spot where she can be dangerous at a price.
RACE 2: 1-4-8-9
#1 I’MHAVINGAMOMENT is a threat from the inside, where she’ll save ground from the outset. If she improves off her turf debut, which was more than solid, she is a player at a square price, especially with a modest amount of speed signed on in here.
RACE 3: 1-5-4-2
#1 TODAY’S FLAVOR is the one to catch from the rail and the main track was kind to inside positioned runners on Friday afternoon. The favorites are horses who’ll chase outside and this will test the thought process about whether being inside helps.
RACE 4: 2-5-7-10
#2 SHIPSATIONAL is back at Belmont, where he’s done his best work throughout his career. He ran an improved race last time out making two moves in a one mile event at the Big A. He can settle and make one run today in a spot where you’re going to get serious value.
RACE 5: 1-7-4-2
#1 CHEZ PIERRE is clearly the horse to beat off a handy win in Kentucky back in April. He is the inside speed in a race where he towers over his competition based on his last performance. If he runs back to it he’ll be very hard to beat.
RACE 6: 5-7-2-9
#5 NEXT likely needed his last and now looks like the controlling speed in a race that’s devoid of pace. He was a smashing winner two back going 13 panels at Keeneland and can be in line to take advantage of what could be an inside favoring racetrack. The only negative here is the price.
RACE 7: 6-5-2-4
#6 CLAIRIERE is the one to beat off the pace today given her success in this race last year and her improved performance last time out at Oaklawn. She is the boss of this division until proven otherwise and figures to assert her superiority.
RACE 8: 2-13-4-3
#2 GUN PILOT is a player from off the pace, especially with the rail in a race that should still have a decent amount of pace. He has been a little too slow on paper to win this race, and will have to improve in this spot. However, this race has yielded a number of big performances from horses cutting back in distance and getting big setups.
RACE 9: 11-10-7-3
#11 CASA CREED has been successful in this race two years in a row with potent late kicks each time. He saved a ton of ground last year before popping outside and going on with it, and this is a spot where he can mow them down late once again.
RACE 10: 1-2-9-7
#1 CODY’S WISH is the one to beat off a huge win at Churchill Downs on Derby day. He will get a decent pace setup today at what is probably his best distance and configuration. If he runs back to his last, he’ll be awfully tough to handle.
RACE 11: 3-9-4-8
#3 WARREN POINT is the horse to bet in this spot off a tough trip last time out in the Man O’ War. He is a late runner who’ll get some pace to run at and he appears to be training brilliantly since his last start. He and his stablemate are both threats for top honors here.
RACE 12: 7-2-3-4
Since the Kentucky Derby, I’ve been waiting to bet on #8 HIT SHOW, who will be a decent price off a much better effort than people think. He was wide and chasing the pace and stayed on gamely to the finish. If he can get into the vanguard just off the pace, he can outlast his rivals today.
RACE 13: 1-2-3-5
#1 SPIRIT OF ST LOUIS is switching to turf and should be in position from the start given his cozy inside post. He is bred beautifully for the lawn and should be a major player today as the favorite.
