We saw a bit too much rain during the first three days of the Belmont Park Fall Championship meeting, leading to most of the races washed off the turf, but things look brighter as we start the second week of the meeting today.
There is still a 30% chance of some rain today, but it is likely we are going to be back on the turf and the main track may be back to fast.
It is a challenging card, with four maiden races, all right in a row, races three through six.
The fifth race is an interesting maiden special weight race. My top two picks are fillies out of Grade 1 winners. My top pick is La Cloche, a second time starter out of $1.4 million earner Memories of Silver.
My second choice in the race is the first time starter Elarose, who is out of Take Charge Lady, who earned $2.4 million in her career.
We have plenty of live longshots on the card, and should lead to some nice payouts today.
To purchase my full card report for Belmont Park that includes analysis, selections, fair odds, and wagering recommendations for today click here.
Here is today's opening race from Belmont Park to get our day off to a good start:
BEL Race 1 OClm $25,000N2X (1:00 ET)
#6 Rightly So 2/1
#7 R Betty Graybull 4/1
#1 Blue Devil Bel 15/1
#2 Gattinara 15/1
Analysis: #6 Rightly So is making her first start since March for the Tony D. barn that is 29% winners with horses coming back off a +180 day layoff. The filly loved the inner surface, winning her last two starts by a combined 16 lengths. She owns solid early and mid pace numbers and she has been working quickly in the mornings for a barn that know show to bring them back off the bench.
#7 R Betty Graybull checked in seventh last out as the beaten fav at this condition. The filly got a brutal trip, having to wait for running room on the far turn, was blocked behind horses at the quarter pole, steadied while lacking room in upper stretch, and never got clear running throughout the stretch run. The winner of the race was Gold for the Queen, who came back to win the NY Oaks in her next start at Finger Lakes on August 30. She makes her third start off the bench and note the jock switch as Marquez comes in to ride for the NJ barn.
Wagering
WIN: #6 to win at 2/1 or better.
EX: 6,7 / 1,2,6,7
TRI: 6,7 / 1,2,6,7 / 1,2,3,6,7
Today's Featured Race of the Day from Belmont Park:
BEL Race 8 Clm $25,000 (4:45 ET)
#4 Eldoktori 10/1
#1 Sly / #1a I've Got Speed 5/2
#7 Golden Weekend 5/1
#11 Natural Speed 8/1
Analysis: #4 Eldoktori cuts back to six furlongs and had an excuse last out when checking in ninth going a mile. The gelding steadied and clipped heels at the 7/8's, raced wide and finished evenly. This guy's last win came four back here against $35K non winners of three and it was at today's six furlong distance. The gelding was claimed out of his last start by the Brown barn that is 22% winners (with a +ROI) first off the claim. Looking for him to bounce back with a better effort here and his 10/1 ML looks generous.
#1 Sly was a game third last out for a $35K tag, beaten 3/4 of a length for the top spot. The gelding has done some of his best work over the turf here (5-2-2-1) and the barn is solid bringing them back off short breaks. Entry mate #1a I've Got Speed had a three race win streak snapped last out in the Troy. He fits well here, dropping back in for a tag and has won 3 of 5 over the turf here.
Wagering
WIN: #4 to win at 9/2 or better.
EX: 1,4 / 1,4,7,11
TRI: 1,4 / 1,4,7,11 / 1,4,5,7,11
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
R1: #1 Blue Devil Bel 15/1
R1: #2 Gattinara 15/1
R2: #1 In for a Dime 15/1
R3: #5 Landlash 8/1
R3: #8 Cuvee’s Lady 8/1
R5: #5 La Cloche 8/1
R6: #3 Bennington Station 8/1
R7: #7 Mesa Girl 15/1
R8: #4 Eldoktori 10/1
R8: #11 Natural Speed 8/1
R9: #3 Imperial River 8/1
R9: #13 Blazing Dynamo 8/1
Good luck today!
