BELMONT PARK – 5/18/2023
RACE 1: 1-4-6-2
#1 BALENTINA spent a bit too much time on the inside last time out and losing ground that afternoon was beneficial. She is a candidate to improve on the class drop for a barn that has suddenly gotten it going after a brutal run this winter and spring.
RACE 2: 6-1/1A-5-7
#6 SWIFT TAP is the one to beat now that he’s gotten away from The Revenger, who bested this son of Tapiture in two straight outings. He is speedy enough to get in the mix from the start and should be a square price in a competitive affair.
RACE 3: 8-4-1-2
#8 KEEN DANCER is a late runner who was compromised by being inside in her last start. She is also getting substantial class relief going to the 10k level, and this is a particularly soft group, even for a ‘dime’.
RACE 4: 3-5-8-2
#3 ANILEATE is the one to beat off a trip where she was clearly best when 2nd at 8-1 at Aqueduct. She was away from the gate poorly that day then unleashed a massive middle move to reach contention before being outfinished. Jockey Manny Franco gets aboard and should help this one into the winner’s circle.
RACE 5: 2-5-7-10
#2 UP HER SLEEVE is dangerous here 2nd off a trainer change after facing a tougher field last time out. She was pace compromised that afternoon being stuck behind a slow early tempo but still finished strongly in her first outing for Bruce Levine. There’s ample room to move forward in here.
RACE 6: 6-3-1-2
#6 WITH THIS VOW is now in the care of Rick Dutrow, Jr. for an ownership group that has achieved success with many non-descript trainers over the last few months. This mare is the one to catch in a race with a vulnerable favorite. This is the best bet of the day.
RACE 7: 3-4-6
#3 THREE TWO ZONE is the pick to upset #4 FOLLOWING SEA in here as the latter reportedly trained somewhat poorly over the winter in South Florida. Three Two Zone has long been at his best at Belmont and should be in a good position stalking the pace today. If a rival attempts to run with Following Sea, it’ll certainly help this son of Street Sense.
RACE 8: 9-6-1-2
#9 SAIL BY is now in the care of Philip Antonacci after being purchased for 200k at the Fasig-Tipton November Sale last fall. She has had nearly the entirety of her success at Belmont and should have a nice target to run at late today as a closing type. This is the right trip, to, as she spent too much time last year going long.
RACE 9: 11-5-7-4
#6 GOTHAM GRAY is shortening up in distance after setting a robust pace last time out going long at Aqueduct. Trainer Christophe Clement has a 26% strike rate with cutbacks on turf ($1.78 ROI) and this gal should be better suited to sprinting.
