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Horse Racing

At the Gate – Wednesday

VegasInsider Staff
VegasInsider Staff Sports Betting Expert
4 minute read
The much anticipated rematch between Maximum Security and War of Will in Saturday’s $1 million Pennsylvania Derby (G1) will not happen.

Maximum Security will scratch out of the race due to a large colon nephrosplenic entrapment that developed shortly after the colt returned from a morning workout according to his trainer Jason Servis.

“There’s nothing that anyone could have done to prevent it,” Servis said. “It’s one of those things that just happens. It’s unfortunate and the timing is terrible but that’s horse racing.”

Servis did not rule out the Breeders’ Cup Classic (G1) on Nov. 2, but with just over a month to go it does not look good. The colt would have to take on the handicap division off a 3 ½ month break.

His defection as the 9-5 morning line favorite shrinks the field to six. The Bob Baffert trained Improbable is now likely to go off as the betting favorite.

The colt won the Shared Belief at Del Mar going a mile on Aug. 25 in his last outing. He was placed fourth in the Kentucky Derby (G1) and ran sixth in the Preakness (G1).

War of Will took the worst of it in the Kentucky Derby, and was placed seventh. He came back to win the Preakness, then was ninth in the Belmont (G1) He was a disappointing fifth in the Jim Dandy (G2) in his last outing.

The co-feature on Saturday’s card at Parx Racing is the $1 million Cotillion (G1) which is a “Win and You’re In” race for the Breeders’ Cup Distaff (G1).

A strong field of three-year-old fillies will line up including Kentucky Oaks (G1) winner Serengeti Empress, CCA Oaks (G1) winner Guarana, Bellafina and Jaywalk.

I will have selections for the two Grade 1 races in Saturday’s Best Plays Report. Keep in mind we won’t be playing trifectas or superfectas. Parx has a ridiculous 30% takeout on tris and supers.

Now is the perfect time to purchase my Monthly Package. It gives you a month of Belmont Park Reports daily and my Best Plays Report each Saturday and Sunday.

To purchase my Belmont Park Report for Wednesday click here .
Here is the opening race from Belmont Park to get the day off to a good start:

BEL Race 2 Md $62,500 (3:32 ET)
#5 Liveyourbeastlife 7-2
#1 Blues City 2-1
#2 Katama Bay 5-2
#3 Mr Phil 8-1

Analysis: Liveyourbeeastlife debuts for the Abreu barn that is 24% winners (with a +ROI) with first timers. The colt was a $200,000 purchase by Ghostzapper out of the stakes winner Elie's Moment ($291,241) who has dropped 10 foals to race and they are all winners including a pair of stakes winners, top earner Time and Motion ($967,719). The works are not jumping off the page but this looks like a good spot here tagged for $62,500.

Blues City was next to last early and came with a good late rally while lugging in to finish in the runner up spot last out in his first go off a 2 1/2-month break. The colt checked din fifth in his debut against tougher here back in May. The Rice trainee has worked sharply since his last outing and looks like a goof fit in this spot. He is out of a Good and Tough mare that has dropped two other foals to race, both winners.

Wagering
WIN: #5 to win at 3-1 or better.
EX: 1,5 / 1,2,3,5
TRI: 1,5 / 1,2,3,5 / 1,2,3,5,8

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

BEL Race 7 The Joe A. Gimma (6:08 ET)
#6 Fierce Lady 7-5
#4 Irish Danzing 9-5
#2 Time Limit 4-1
#3 Thea's Theme 6-1

Analysis: Fierce Lady was bumped around coming out of the gate last out spotting the field a few lengths, came with a four wide bid and battle don gamely to prevail by a neck to win the state bred Seeking the Ante last out at 6 1/2 furlongs. Two back in the state bred Stillwater the filly set the early fractions and battled on gamely to miss by just a nose. That day the racing surface was playing to outside stalkers and closers. Her best fig was in her maiden score in her debut over the main track here. She is going to be very tough in this spot.

Irish Danzig pressed the early pace, took command heading for home and was eased up at the ire to win by 6 1/2 lengths in an impressive effort. The $120,000 Ocala purchase is by Danza out of a stakes placed Cactus Ride mare that has dropped one other winner. Clement had a solid Spa meeting and has been sending out live runners to start the meet here, 9 of 13 landing in the money.

Wagering
WIN: #6 to win at 6-5 or better.
EX: 4,6 / 2,4,6
TRI: no play

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.

Belmont Park
R2: #3 Mr Phil 8-1
R4: #4 Morissette 8-1
R6: #6 Three Outlaws 10-1
R8: #7 Danzing Dunhill 8-1
R8: #9 King of American 15-1

Good luck today!

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