We got off to a good start to the week on Wednesday, knocking down six recommended exactas on the nine race card at Belmont Park.
We did not exactly light up the tote board, the payoffs coming in at $18.40, $15.00, $14.00, $41.60, $35.60, and $24.00.
It turned out to be a chalky day, with six of the nine winners on the card paying $6.70 or less, three of them paying less than even money.
We have enough live longshots on our list today that I don’t think we will be so chalky. I only have two likely favorites as my top picks.
A field of seven goes in the $65,000 Belle Born Stakes, the third race on the nine race card.
Weathered gets some needed class relief as she drops out of a couple of Grade 1 tries and into state bred company. Last out in the Personal Ensign (G1) she set the early fractions and weakened around the far turn, checking in fifth.
The runner up in that race was Swift Temper, who came back to win the Ruffian (G1) in her next outing on Sept. 12. The cut back in distance should suit as well, and she moves up if the rains come. She has won 3 of 5 over off going.
I have been watching the weather, and I wish I could handicap the rain better. There is a 30-40% chance of showers today at Belmont Park, which usually means the weathermen just have no idea what the weather actually will be.
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 Alw $50,000s (1:00 ET)
#7 Awesome Actor 8/1
#3 Bohemia Street 7/2
#1 Precision Farming / #1a Half a Note 2/1
#4 Another Success 8/1
Analysis: #7 Awesome Actor cuts back to six furlongs here after breaking a step slow, outrun in the early going and making a good move around the far turn, rallying to finish third behind a sharp Bad Action. The colt was making his first start off the claim by the Klesaris barn and stepping up from a $35K tag. Three back at the Spa the colt beat $35K non-winners of two going 5 1/2 furlongs on the turf at the Spa over ground labeled as good. The colt has four other sibs that have won on grass including turf stakes winner Numerous Times ($846K). The barn is 28% winners second off the claim and Ramon sticks for the high percentage barn. The 8/1 ML looks more than fair, he is proven over ground with some give to it, and there is some rain in the forecast for today.
#3 Bohemia Street is also cutting back from a mile. The gelding raced in traffic in the early going and was caught out very wide coming into the stretch. Two back off a year layoff the gelding made a good late rally to finish a solid second behind #4 Another Success, beaten just a half length for the top spot. Looks like he could be primed for a good effort in his third start off the bench.
Wagering
WIN: #7 to win at 9/2 or better.
EX: 3,7 / 1,3,4,7
TRI: 3,7 / 1,3,4,7 / 1,3,4,6,7
Today's Featured Race of the Day from Belmont Park:
BEL Race 8 OClm $25,000N2X (4:45 ET)
#2 Wolfson 9/2
#1 Afrikaner / #1a Ziptronic 3/1
#7 Executive Search 7/2
#6 Katskill Bay 5/1
Analysis: #2 Wolfson was not a threat last out at the Spa at this level after racing wide much of the trip, checking in fifth. The colt was claimed out of the race by the Ritvo barn that has won with three of his last seven (with a +ROI) first off the claim. The colt has won at this level, doing it in the mud at the Big A back in April and has done some of his best running over the main track here (9-3-1-2). This guy owns back numbers that are a good fit and it is up to the new barn to get this guy to bounce back with a better effort. This is not a real tough spot and we'll look for a better effort out of this colt here.
#1 Afrikaner beat state bred Alw-1 company last out at the Spa in the mud in his first start against winners. The Rice barn was on fire at the meeting and has gone cold here, 0 for 10 to start this week. Entry mate #1a Ziptronic was the beaten favorite in his last two starts at the Spa at this level, both third place finishes. Completes a live entry for the barn but I don't want to take much less than the 3/1 ML.
Wagering
WIN: #2 to win at 3/1 or better.
EX: 1,2 / 1,2,6,7
TRI: 1,2 / 1,2,6,7 / 1,2,5,6,7
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: #7 Awesome Actor 8/1
R1: #4 Another Success 8/1
R2: #7 Mr. Universe 10/1
R2: #2 Web Gem 8/1
R4: #7 For Passion 10/1
R4: #10 Why Then 20/1
R5: #6 Hedge Fund 12/1
R6: #7 Cires 15/1
R6: #5 Captain Booyah 8/1
R7: #8 Ruby’s Tune 15/1
R7: #5 Beboblues Art 12/1
R9: #12 Philotimo 10/1
Good luck today!
