Happy Belmont Day! Welcome to the best race card of the year this side of The Breeders’ Cup. It features eight grade 1s punctuated by the Manhattan, the Met Mile, and the Belmont Stakes. The wide open Belmont Stakes features the return of Derby winner Rich Strike, and the Met Mile has a great showdown between Flightline and Speaker’s Corner. I’ll tackle the Met Mile and the Belmont Stakes.
Play of the Day Race Date June 11, 2022 Track Belmont Park Race 8 Overview A deep renewal of the G1 Jaipur, with several who could win on their best day, though the majority of them struggle with consistency, which is not the issue in the least for #5 ARREST ME RED (5-2). Pace It’s a G1 turf sprint, so obviously there will be some pace, but regardless of who goes (#3 True Valor down inside?) or who doesn’t, #5 ARREST ME RED (5-2) will be right there throughout, which will allow first run off the far turn on the stalkers/closers. Trends N/A Best Bet ARREST ME RED…
Play of the Day Race Date June 10, 2022 Track Belmont Park Race 7 Overview A really good N1X that will have a huge favorite (#6 Speak for Itself), though the comebacking #1 JANE GREY (4-1) might be ready to fire a big shot off the long layoff. Pace It looks suicidal, as several in here want to motor early, including the heavy favorite, which is another reason #1 JANE GREY (4-1) could run huge. Trends N/A Best Bet JANE GREY Number 1 Morning Line (4-1) Best Bet Overview #1 JANE GREY (4-1): Godolphin homebred has been off since her stalking debut win in September 2020 at Saratoga,…
Play of the Day Race Date June 09, 2022 Track Churchill Downs Race 7 Overview A strong 3up allowance with several that enter in good form, though it’s #4 AUSSIE PRIDE (5-2) who enters with more upside than the rest of the field combined. Pace It doesn’t look overly hot but there should be enough here to make things fair for everyone. Trends The main track was again on the fair side last week, as speed wasn’t overwhelming, and several winners came from a stalking and even closing position. Best Bet AUSSIE PRIDE Number 4 Morning Line (5-2) Best Bet Overview #4 AUSSIE PRIDE (5-2): Taking on winners…
Play of the Day Race Date June 08, 2022 Track Churchill Downs Race 9 Overview As good a 10k starter-allowance as you’ll ever see, with countless winning possibilities and a TBD favorite that could be as high as 4-1. Pace There looks to be plenty signed on here, as more than a few want to be involved early and often, so tactical speed will be at a premium. Trends The main track continues to play very fair, with winners coming from everywhere, and even tilted towards off the pace runners Saturday, as several rallied from midpack or further back. Best Bet MOBSTER GUN Number 4 Morning Line (9-2)…
Play of the Day Race Date June 05, 2022 Track Churchill Downs Race 3 Overview A tough turf sprint allowance for 3yos, with several who have winning credentials, though none seemingly have the upside of #7 SKY AND SAND (7-2). Pace It’s a turf sprint, so there’s no surprise it looks extremely hot and contested early, which means a stalking gear will come in handy. Trends They just don’t run enough turf races to get a true feel, though the outside paths seem to hold a tepid edge. Best Bet SKY AND SAND Number 7 Morning Line (7-2) Best Bet Overview #7 SKY AND SAND (7-2) (turf only):…
Play of the Day Race Date June 04, 2022 Track Churchill Downs Race 6 Overview An absolutely awesome AOC for 3yos with several that have proven stakes form, and countless up and comers as well. Pace It looks exceptionally hot and contested, as there are several here who want to motor early, not to mention a one-turn mile often leads to hot splits. Trends The main track was again on the fair side last week, as speed wasn’t overwhelming, and several winners came from a stalking and even closing position. Best Bet VOLCANIC Number 10 Morning Line (12-1) Best Bet Overview #10 VOLCANIC (12-1): Router was a fringe…
Play of the Day Race Date June 03, 2022 Track Churchill Downs Race 7 Overview A strong 3yo AOC with some serious talent, and a bevy of stakes droppers as well. Pace It looks potentially supersonic, as the comebacking #2 Gunite (2-1) was freaky-fast as a G1 winning 2yo, while #1 Surfer Dude (5-2) and #3 Conagher (3-1) both want to be involved early and often. Trends The main track was again on the fair side last week, as speed wasn’t overwhelming, and several winners came from a stalking and even closing position. Best Bet TEJANO TWIST Number 5 Morning Line (5-1) Best Bet Overview #5 TEJANO TWIST…
Play of the Day Race Date June 02, 2022 Track Churchill Downs Race 1 Overview A competitive 16k claimer with several possibilities, but ax expected hot pace may knock out some of the favorites. Pace It looks hot and contested, which makes it unlikely that any of the speedsters survive, and that should work perfectly for #6 GIRLS A BULLET (4-1), who should be sitting off it and waiting to pounce. Trends The main track was again on the fair side last week, as speed wasn’t overwhelming, and several winners came from a stalking and even closing position. Best Bet GIRLS A BULLET Number 6 Morning Line (4-1)…
Play of the Day Race Date May 30, 2022 Track Churchill Downs Race 3 Overview A weak 10k N2L that doesn’t have much, as several enter off-form and toiling as lifetime 1’fers. Pace There’s really none here to keep #3 FIGHTVILLE (3-1) from making a loose and lonely lead, and when a lot of the stalker/closers aren’t much, that’s a great scenario. Trends The main track was on the fair side all of last week, as several winners came from a stalking and even closing position. Best Bet FIGHTVILLE Number 3 Morning Line (3-1) Best Bet Overview #3 FIGHTVILLE (3-1): Expected Lone F should be able to make…
