BELMONT PARK – 5/13/2023
RACE 1: 5-4-7-8
All signs point to #5 COLONEL BOWMAN being very tough to beat protected from the claim box following two straight wins for David Jacobson. The only guarantee is a short price here given his for juxtaposed against that of his rivals, as well as the presence of Irad Ortiz, Jr.
RACE 2: 9-8-5-6
Trainer Rob Atras sports a 19% strike rate with new arrivals to his barn on turf ($2.40 ROI) and #9 OHTWOOHTHREEFIVE has plenty of back grass form. This distance might just be exactly what he wants, and the strength of his 2022 runs makes him the one to beat.
RACE 3: 2-7-8-1
#2 HANG TIGHT is a potential upsetter off a claim by a barn that has had success in the past. This son of Union Rags was working his way back into form for a low percentage barn and is catching a lot of these horses at the right time. There’s an abundance of backwards moving form in this field.
RACE 4: 7-4-1-3
#7 LIL BRO COOP was claimed for 75k at Keeneland and is now protected from the claim box by new trainer Jose Camejo. This son of War Envoy was a huge winner two back at Oaklawn and seems to be in good form since moving to dirt. Camejo is a solid 28% with dirt routers first off of claims ($2.12 ROI).
RACE 5: 2-1-3-6
Until he’s beaten in the US with regularity, let’s assume Charlie Appleby is sending over the goods with #2 WARREN POINT. He was a good 2nd in a race that had some decent runners in it last time out in Qatar and he is the one to beat today.
RACE 6: 1-9-5-8
#1 ARCANGELO was a smashing maiden winner last time out in a fast race and now bids to upset this Grade III event on the road to the Belmont Stakes. He beat two horses who came back to improve considerably in their next starts at Keeneland and has the right running style for this affair.
RACE 7: 13-7-4-8
The hope is that #13 MAMA BANNED ME gets in off the AE list here as he is dropping in for a tag after a no shot trip last time out. He was too far behind and made up ground in garbage time, so a more alert ride against lesser foes should put him over the top.
RACE 8: 2-7-6-3
#2 ATHENRY returns off the bench for a barn that is off to a good start at this meet. He has run well fresh in the past and Michelle Nevin is 16% with turfers off 100-200 day breaks ($2.44 ROI). The pace should be slow enough for him to get into stalk and pounce range.
RACE 9: 1-4-2-3
Our old friend #1 DRAFTED is catching the right kind of field with just enough speed to set up his big late run. He was compromised by his trip last time out on a wet surface and has long been a better horse on dry strips. Look for him to unleash that customary late bid today.
RACE 10: 6-8-9-3
#6 FREE LOOK had no chance whatsoever last time out in the Florida Oaks and now lands in a realistic spot from a class perspective. She has a good late kick and should get plenty of pace to run at today in a race that’s far softer than the one she exits.
RACE 11: 8-1-11-9
#8 MA MI JO DREAMS is interesting off a layoff and barn switch getting Lasix for the first time. She should be actively involved early under a heady pilot and will be a good price based on the competitive nature of this field.
