The Belmont Stakes Card at Saratoga Race Course

The Belmont Stakes Card

Saratoga Race Course

By Bob Hill, TSV staff writer —-

There are very few occasions when racing fans are treated to nineconsecutive graded stakes races. Belmont Stakes Day is one suchoccasion, and this year’s edition is special as the event is being hosted by Saratoga Race Course because of the ongoing renovation at Belmont Park. This is an exciting (and tough) combination of races on both dirt and turf, capped off by the third jewel of the Triple Crown, the G1 Belmont Stakes.

Race 4 – G2 True North, 6-1/2 furlongs for 4yo and up

5 Gun Pilot (1-1) Just keeps getting better for Asmussen

4 Accretive (5-1) Brown/Irad combo tough to pass up on familiar ground

1 Ninetyprcentmaddie (8-1) Runner-up in G3 last out

2 Rotknee (6-1) Maker 5yo very steady and competitive

Race 5 – G3 Poker, 1 mile on turf for 4yo and up

3 Carl Spackler (3-1) Brown trainee goes for fourth win in a row

7 Talk of the Nation (7-2) Just missed in his first go for new barn last out

2 Casa Creed (9-5) Absolute fan favorite 8yo in first race since trip to UAE in March

1 Mysterious Night (10-1) Appleby 4yo also on return run from UAE is G2 winner there

Race 6 – G2 Suburban, 1-1/4 miles for 4yo and up

8 Bendoog (2-1) Mott has taken his time with accomplished 5yo from UAE

7 Crupi (3-1) Tenth in Dubai World Cup last out fits in this less than outstanding field

1 Signator (8-1) Big class test for expensive son of Tapit for McGaughey

4 Charge It (5-2) Last good race was last year’s edition of the Suburban

Race 7 – G1 Ogden Phipps, 1-1/8 miles for F-M 4yo and up

5 Idiomatic (3-5) Defending BC Distaff Champ! Winner of nine of last 10 races.

1 Randomized (6-1) Runner-up finish in BC Distaff signals how good she is at her best

6 Raging Sea (9-2) Brown trainee coming into her own this year

3 Pretty Mischievous (6-1) KY Oaks winner always dangerous

Race 8 – G1 Woody Stephens, 7 furlongs for 3yo

9 Nash (6-1) Route to sprint angle good for his trainer Brad Cox

1 Book’em Danno (9-2) Just missed in G3 Saudi Derby. Also going route to sprint

7 Prince of Monaco (7-2) Tepid fave for Bob Baffert off since last November

8 Vlahos (6-1) Speedy O’Neill trainee also cutting back

Race 9 – G1 Jaipur, 5-1/2 furlongs on turf for 3yo and up

8 Cogburn (2-1) Unbeaten at distance on this surface

12 Mischief Magic (8-1) Great odds on an Appleby trainee

6 Star of Mystery (6-1) Filly is G2 winner in UAE for Appleby

2 Arzak (9-2) Speedy O’Neill trainee also cutting back

5 Big Invasion (8-1) Mystery horse could make impact if he’s right

Race 10 – G1 Metropolitan Handicap, 1 mile for 3yo and up

2 National Treasure (8-5) If he overcomes the travel lag he is the best in here

4 Blazing Sevens (8-1) First race back off long layoff was a good one. Could be his year.

6 White Abarrio (6-5) What to make of that Saudi Cup disaster?

3 Post Time (7-2) Huge class test for winner of eight of 10 starts

Race 11 – G1 Manhattan, 1-3/16 miles on turf for 4yo and up

9 Measured Time (7-2) 4yo son of Frankel trained by Appleby and ridden by Buick

5 Program Trading (5-2) Chad Brown excels in these situations and this horse if really good

1 I’m Very Busy (9-2) Other Chad Brown horses are always dangerous

7 Nations Pride (9-2) Owns win on this course at this distance for top Appleby/Dettori

Race 12 – G1 Belmont Stakes, 1-1/4 miles for 3yo

1 – Seize the Grey (8-1): Had perfect trip in the Derby. Will probably not get the same from his rail post position with speed drawn to his outside. Not impossible, but tall task.

2 – Resilience (10-1): Made strong mid-race move in the Derby before fading in the final half furlong. Will have to improve 5-6 lengths to challenge for win here.

3 – Mystik Dan (5-1): Derby winner and Preakness runner-up goes off as third ML choice. He has a shot and certainly merits consideration in exacta and trifecta bets.

4 – The Wine Steward (15-1): Another that has to improve multiple lengths to win. Some buzz around him, spurred on by attractive odds. Definite exotics play, and could surprise.

5 – Antiquarian (12-1): One of three Pletcher entries, he won the G3 Peter Pan last out. Another to not forget on longer tickets.

6 – Dornoch (15-1): Long time ago he won the G2 Remsen and became a pre-Derby darling. Finished 10ththere, and has attracted more criticism than praise. Needs a good start and a clear path toward the front. If that happens, he could hang around a long time.

7 – Protective (20-1): He’s still a maiden for Pletcher/Repole, but he has hit the board in two graded stakes races. Tough to say what to expect.

8 – Honor Marie (12-1): Passed a dozen horses in the Derby after getting knocked goofy at the start. Deep closer will keep Sierra Leone company at the back. He’s my exacta value play. Huge jockey upgrade.

9 – Sierra Leone (9-5): I believe he’s been the best 3yo since early spring. Can’t get off him now. His fate will rest in the trip that Prat works out. I like the jockey change.

10 – Mindframe (7-2): He’s undefeated. He’s untested against the best in his age group. He’s like the Derby entry with only two lifetime starts. Lots to like. Lots to think about.

My Picks: 9-8-3-4-1