Saturday Stakes Selections: Belmont, Santa Anita

By Matt Pappis
TSV Staff Writer —-

Belmont

Race 7 Grade I Vosburgh Invitational

Takaful (4): Has proven that one turn is his game. He will be coming in third off the layoff and getting back to his preferred distance of 6 furlongs cutting back from the Allen Jerkens. I am looking for him to wire this field at a square price of 5-1.

Mr. Crow (5): By far the most lightly raced horse in the field coming off back to back blowout victories in Saratoga. This will be a true class test for this horse but he deserves his shot in this field off back to back 100+ figures.

El Deal (3): Has won three races since entering the Navarro barn by a combined margin of 23 3/4th lengths. He is a legitimate favorite however I don’t want to take a short price on him here and will give the younger horses a chance to breakout at better prices.

Race 8 Grade III Pilgrim Stakes

Morrison (2): Had significant traffic trouble in the With Anticipation Stakes and it’s interesting to see the connections come right back with him on the turf again I would have liked to see what he would have done without all of his traffic trouble.

Sechac (4): Another who had significant traffic trouble in the With Anticipation Stakes, the connections have always been very high on him entering him in back to back stakes while still a maiden.

Desert Stone (1): Was highly regarded prior to his debut in Saratoga losing to Maraud who he will see today. A second run should benefit him here at a big price.

Race 9 Grade I Beldame Invitational

Elate (1): Really came into her own this summer and will be very difficult to beat while facing elders for the first time.

Money’soncharlotte (5): Coming off three consecutive wins but this will be a major step up in class if she’s going to beat Elate.

Verves Tale (2): Has only been out of the trifecta 3 of 14 career starts and is a good filler for exotics underneath Elate.

Race 10 Grade I Turf Classic Invitational

Sadler’s Joy (4): Toss out his one start over the yielding turf and he is yet to run a bad race in 2017. Going back to Julian Leparoux in his last start was exactly what this horse needed. He should get a great trip with plenty of pace to the race.

Beach Patrol (5): He knocked on the door of Grade I stakes for a long time before notching his victory in the Arlington Million, let’s see if he can repeat here.

The Grey Gatsby (10): He has kept company with some of the best turf horses in the world. I know his form looks poor but adding Lasix and a trip across the pond could be exactly what he needs.

Santa Anita

Race 7 Grade I Chandelier Stakes

Just a Smidge (8): Ran too well in her debut for me to not give her another chance, maybe the two turns will take her up.

Piedi Bianchi (7): Showed the ability to rate in her last and with a lot of speed signed on her that should play to her advantage.

Moonshine Memories (3): Has been very impressive in her first two starts, lets see if she can go two turns.

Race 8 Grade I Frontrunner Stakes

Bold d’ Oro (4): Was very impressive in his first two starts he should only get better going two turns.

Solomini (8): Very impressive in debut for Bob Baffert and should have no problems stretching out to two turns with this pedigree.

Zatter (1): The other Baffert in the race who lost last out to our top pick here in a game effort at Del Mar.

Race 9 Grade I Rodeo Drive Stakes

Goldy Espony (2): There is not too much speed in here so I am hoping she can get loose and her back class can carry her to the wire at a very generous 8-1 ml.

Avenge (5): Should be able to sit right off of Goldy Espony and is the one to beat in a field with lack of pace.

Goodyearforroses (10): Has really put it all together in the past year or so and will be dangerous in here but I don’t see enough pace for her.

Race 10 Grade I Awesome Again

Mubtaahij (6): Was keeping top company when on the east coast with trainer Kiaran McLaughlin before heading to Dubai. He looked great in training the other day and is ready to fire a big one for his first race under Bob Baffert.

Cupid (8): Seems to have finally figured it out with back to back wins since coming back in May, he has been carefully placed.

Win the Space (1): Hard knocker comes back second off a very long layoff and always puts in a good run. He will be a huge price and could complete some exotics here.

Cover Photo: Sadler’s Joy; Coglianese Photos/Chelsea Durand