The temperature in the Big Apple hit 100 degrees on Thursday afternoon, and the New York Racing Association decided to cancel racing due to the hot conditions.

That left us with Churchill Downs, and we managed to turn a small profit with my top picks, four winners on top on the nine race card.

Three of the four winners were on the chalky side, with the top price being All by Chance, who returned $10.80, and along with my fourth choice in the race Lillrandra combined for a $147.60 exacta.

Overall the field size at Churchill Downs has been disappointing, but we have a solid 11-race card on tap, and while two of the races have small fields of six, the remainder of the card offers us good betting races.

At Belmont Park the temperatures will be down in the low 90’s, but we have to look out for thunderstorms, as there is a 50% chance we will see some rain this afternoon.

There are four races carded for the grass this afternoon.

My Best Plays Report for Friday includes my eight strongest plays from Belmont Park and Churchill Downs.

To purchase my full card report for Churchill Downs click here

To purchase my full card report for Belmont Park click here

Here is today’s opening from Belmont Park to get the day off to a good start:

BEL Race 1 OClm $65,000SAL (12:50 ET)

3 Manda Bay   7-2

7 Rock On Baby   4-1

4 Villanella   3-1

2 Rhunin Victoria   4-1

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Analysis: Manda Bay is coming off a good looking maiden score last out for a $65K tag going seven furlongs. The short freshening seems to have done this gal some good and she has plenty of pedigree to handle the extra furlong as she take son winners for the first time here., She is by Empire Maker out of the stakes winner Summer Wind Dancer ($898K). The Maker barn is 25% winners moving runners from sprint to route.

Rock On Baby returns off a 2 1/2 month break after a game runner up finish at this level last out in her first start off the claim by the Klesaris barn. Last out she tracked the early pace, made a good move in between foes to grab the lead at the top of the stretch and could not hold off the winner late. Ramon takes the call and she does not need to move forward much off her latest effort to get the job done here.

Wagering

WIN: #3 to win at 5-2 or better.

EX: 3,7 / 2,3,4,7

TRI: 3,7 / 2,3,4,7 / 2,3,4,6,7

Today's Featured Race of the Day from Belmont Park:

BEL Race 8 OClm $25,000N1X (4:34 ET)

8 Kaleidoscope    6-1

3 Evasive Cat   7-2

1 Natalie Victoria   12-1

5 Spare Change   4-1

Analysis: Kaleidoscope makes her first start off a four month break here for the Hennig barn. The filly was last seen at Gulfstream Park where the filly dueled for the early lead and weakened to finish fifth last out in her first go against winners. She exits a key race, three coming out of the race to win next out. The cut back to a sprint should suit and she has decent works on the morning tab for a barn that is 15% winners with horses coming back off a 61-180 day layoff.

Evasive Cat is also coming back off the bench, making her first start since breaking her maiden in gate to wire fashion back in January at the Big A on the inner track. The filly has a nice pedigree and is in good hands with the McLaughlin barn that is 28% winners (with a +ROI) with horses coming back off a 61-180 day layoff.

Wagering

WIN: #8 to win at 4-1 or better.

EX: 3,8 / 1,3,5,8

TRI: 3,8 / 1,3,5,8 / 1,3,5,7,8

Today's Featured Race of the Day from Churchill Downs:

CD Race 10 Alw $59,800N1X (7:24 ET)

3 Volcat   9-2

7 Forest Legend   3-1

9 Lily Hannah   7-2

1 All for Georgia   6-1

Analysis: Volcat put in a decent effort in her first start on turf, making  a mild late run to finish third going a mile. She broke her maiden on dirt and ran ell in a runner up finish on poly, good enough McPeek tries her in stakes company. She looks as if she has enough pedigree to handle nine furlongs. She has three sibs that are winners including turf stakes winner Love to Tell ($310K).

Forest Legend made a good five wide rally to finish fourth last out going a mile, beaten three lengths for the top spot. Two back at Keeneland she was a good second in a race that has produced three next out winners. The winner Julie's Love came back to beat Alw-2 optional claimers at Belmont Park in her next start on June 8. She is a half to turf stakes winner Silver Reunion ($254K). The main question mark is the extra furlong as she has come up short in both tries at this distance on the grass.

Wagering

WIN: #3 to win at 7-2 or better.

EX: 3,7 / 1,3,7,9

TRI: 3,7 / 1,3,7,9 / 1,3,5,7,9

Live Longshots:

These are price plays for exotic players looking to find a couple of extra contenders to use in their trifecta and superfecta wagers. Or for those with smaller bankrolls, you might want to get in a small win-place wager.

Churchill Downs

R3: #12 American Lights    8-1

R9: #8 Lawyer Brockmeyer   12-1

Good luck today!