BELMONT PARK – 6/25/2023
RACE 1: 5-1-4-2
#5 FOXY CARA made two moves last time out when 3rd behind a runaway winner in the May 21 nightcap. She looked to be losing ground rapidly around the turn when steadied and then recovered to finish with interest. There’s some talent there, she just needs a clean trip to put it all together.
RACE 2: 5-1-2-7
#5 RHEAUME goes 2nd off a layoff and moves back into NY bred company for trainer Christophe Clement. The blinkers are going on this daughter of Nyquist who ran surprisingly bad last time out going 11 furlongs. Perhaps shortening up in distance will help, as will the likelihood of a strong pace setup.
RACE 3: 7-6-4-2
The pace should work in the favor of #7 WARMAN ROAD who is dropping significantly in class for trainer Rob Atras. There’s no other early zip in here and his best races would make him very tough to handle for a weak N2L at the bottom level.
RACE 4: 2-7-3-5
The trip last time out for #2 OPERATION TORCH was less than stellar. Jockey Joel Rosario wrangled him back to last and he then rushed him through along the inside to reach contention. He is capable of laying much closer to the pace early and that would really help him turn things around this afternoon.
RACE 5: 7-8-2-5
#7 LITTLE DEMON moves up in class first off a claim by Antonio Arriaga, which is a positive sign given the recent efforts from the son of Awesome of Course. He has speed and can be forwardly placed, which also helps his chances. Arriaga is 24% with dirt routers off the claim ($2.64 ROI).
RACE 6: 6-1-3-2
#6 SHARPAZ is the one to catch for trainer Dave Duggan second off a layoff. He got involved in a white hot pace last time out and understandably tired late, but he likely needed the race. The blinkers going on will only sharpen him early, and the lead is his for the taking.
RACE 7: 6-8-3-4
#6 MASTEROF THE TUNES was victorious last time out in game fashion from just off the pace, and she showed significantly more early foot in that affair. That’s a positive sign given the way she has had issues coming from off the pace in the past. Here’s to banking on her making late noise today.
RACE 8: 4-6-3-5
#4 STERLING SILVER will be a serious late threat today given the likelihood of a strong pace in here. She is in razor sharp form given the way she finished strongly last time out in the Critical Eye going a mile and a sixteenth. This is much more her trip and she gets the right setup today.
RACE 9: 1-9-3-6
#1 MAURITIUS is versatile enough to get involved early or sit off the pace in the opening stages. He was on the lead last time out before being caught late but ran a second straight improved race since moving to the lawn. Look for him to procure an ideal position going a trip where saving ground matters.
