Belmont Saturday Grade 1’s: Woody Stephens, Acorn and Jaipur Selections

By Rick Francis —-

BELMONT PARK

Race 2) 7 Furlongs.G1 Woody Stephens S. Presented by Claiborne Farm PRESENTED BY CLAIBORNE FARM.FOR THREE YEAR OLDS.
Post Time: (12:25)/11:25/10:25/ 9:25

Giving the edge to Echo Town (4) in this field of five sophomore speedsters. Speightstown colt exits a “tenacious” victory last month over pricey Churchill OC’s that has him battle tested for this; however to his immediate inside, sits 2-time Grade 3 winner Mischevious Alex (3), who has done little wrong in his three race win streak, except race, as he’s been away for three months.

No Parole (1) should provide the early speed for the top two to chase, which will include last out runner-up to Echo Town, Meru (2). Shoplifted’s (5) three 2020 starts have left a lot to be desired, but in a contested stretch duel could fill out tri and super plays.

Selections: 4, 3, 2

Race 8) 1 Mile. Longines Acorn S. Grade I. Purse $300,000 FOR FILLIES, THREE-YEARS-OLD.
Post Time: ( 4:15)/ 3:15/ 2:15/ 1:15

Gamine (1), pricey daughter of Into Mischief rolls in a perfect 2-for-2 record, her last a gut-check score at Oaklawn. First at every call, this Baffert trainee, just like all Baffert’s, has been working quickly.

Steve Asmussen conditioned Casual (4) also enters having won her first two starts but coming from just off the pace to secure those wins. Glass Ceiling (5) has bounced from claiming contests to graded stakes and back again, however she does enter in the best form of her racing career and for a barn that’s hitting at 30 percent on the year.

Lucrezia (2) has finished first or second in five of six starts, but as many on the card has also been on the shelf for three months; nevertheless her am’s have been impressive and merits a long look for value.

Selections: 1, 4, 5, 2

Race 9) 6 Furlongs. (Inner Turf) Jaipur S. Grade I. Purse $250,000 INNER TURF FOR THREE-YEAR-OLDS AND UPWARD
Post Time: ( 4:53)/ 3:53/ 2:53/ 1:53

2) Oleksandra (Drysdale/Rosario); mare out of Animal Kingdom has consistently followed up a non-winning effort with a win; exits a closing 1/2 length second at Santa Anita in the G2 Monrovia; 6-year-old is a perfect 2-for-2 over the Belmont lawn.

5) Stubbins (O’Neill/Saez); Morning Line colt has demonstrated a strong late kick in each of his last four starts dating back to September 2019, including a near miss lastout in the Grade 3 Daytona.

4) Pure Sensations (Clement/Ortiz, I.); 9-year-old is a 13-time winner on the turf and has earned just under $2 million with those starts. Makes first start after a dismal fifth in the Breeders’ Cup Turf Sprint where he was sent off as the race favorite; he’ll be ready, but how much is left i9n those 9-year-old legs.

7) White Flag (Clement/Alvarado); hasn’t raced since September, however this 6-year-old out of War Front has a sparkling Belmont turf record that’s hard to overlook 7 4-1-2, so don’t.

Selections: 2, 5, 4, 7