Belmont: Handicapping Friday’s Card; Stakes Selections, Pick-4, Pick-5 Plays

By Matt Pappis
Tracksidewview Staff Writer —-

Race 1: 2-5-6-8

Race 2: 6 -12- 7- 5

Race 3: Grade III Bed O’ Roses

Divine Miss Grey (5): The only one who wants to go with her early this race will be Chalon, she has speed rider Carmouche aboard and should try to take it to them early at a big price. She’ll be over looked on the jump in class.

American Gal (2): She is going to be tough to beat here and will sit a dream trip behind the speed of Chalon and Divine Miss Grey.

Highway Star (8): Comes in third off the layoff on the cutback over a strip she loves; another dangerous one to upset American Gal especially if it gets hot up front.

Race 4: 7 -5- 1-4-3

Race 5: Tremont Stakes

Mae Never No (7): We all know what damage Wesley Ward does with two year old and this one beat a very highly regarded one first out who came back to win. Gets great trip from the outside post and wins.

Outshine (4): The first effort was visually impressive she was very green and when she got straight she buried the field. She should get pass in front of her.

Sir Truebadour (6): We knew they loved her first out and she did what was expected; she draws an advantageous outside post to see what the inside speed does. Comes back on 3 weeks rest which I don’t like for the younger horses, but she’s talented.

Race 6: 2-3-9-11

Race 7: 10-8-9-7

Race 8: Grade II True North

Bobby Abu Dhabi (4): Trainer Peter Miller won this race last year with Roy H who he turned into a superstar, this one comes into the race more accomplished and should also be able to work out a nice stalking trip.

Imperial Hint (3): If he runs his best number he decimates this field but I’m still dubious he wants to go further than 6f especially over the tiring Belmont racecourse.

Westwood (6): His last race showed he is up to the test to be a player in this division but this is a tough task to beat these accomplished sprinters, player at a price.

Race 9: Grade II New York Stakes

Sistercharlie (5): She should be 2-for-2 in the states and has been carefully managed to get her off a 2 month layoff where Brown excels.

Daddy’s Lil Darling (6): Giving this one another shot as she chased a slow pace in defeat at Keeneland she has faced some classy ones over the years and will run well here.

Fourstar Crook (8): This horse is a win machine with 10 wins in 16 starts, this is a deep field but she will be overlooked with Sistercharlie taking all the Chad Brown money.

Race 10: Grade II Belmont Cup

Call to Mind (1): Has kept very good company overseas and shouldn’t have an issue with the distance, the one to beat.

Funny Kid (4): While distance is a question for many in this field he will not have, that issue and is coming in off back to back wins and wins in three of his last four starts he’s in top form.

Run Time (7): Is the only one in the field that is proven at this distance; Maker is very good at getting horses to go long and showed confidence in this one sending him to Dubai to tackle the bears on World Cup night.

Canessar (5): Ran a very good race in the Elkhorn when it was impossible to close at Keeneland. He has proven himself at the distance overseas and is a major player in this field.

Race 11: 7-10-2-8-9

Race 1) .50 Pick 5
2,6,8/ 6,7,12 / 2,5 / all/ 4,6,7 = $243

Race 7) .50 NYRA BETS Pick 5
6,7,8,9,10/ 4 /5,6,8 / 1,4,5,7/ 2,7,8,9,10 = $150

Race 8) .50 Pick 4
3,4 /5,6,8 / 1,4,5,7/ 2,7,8,9,10 = $60