Here’s the card at Belmont (Races 1-11)  — good luck!

Race 1: 4 and 3

Race 2: 6 and 1

Race 3: 2 and 10

Race 4: 2 with 1 and 4

Race 5: 4 with 13 and 8

Race 6: 1 (Best Bet) and 6

Race 7: 8 (Best Bet) and 5

Race 8: 2 with 1 and 8

Race 9: 4 (Best Bet) with 7 and 8

Race 10: 8 with 1 and 12

Race 11: 4 and 6

There’s a great undercard of stakes at Belmont today, starting with Race 6, The True North. The track should dry out by post time (2:33pm) and that should help Benny The Bull (#1) run down Fabulous Strike (#6) in the final strides to win this 6 furlong speed fest.  I’ll use both in the pick 6.

In Race 7, The Just A Game, I like My Princess Jess (#8) to upset the favorite (#5) Forever Together, who will be flying late but may be comprised by the mile distance.  I’ll also use both in the pick 6.

In Race 8, The Woody Stevens, This Ones For Phil (#2) can stalk a fast pace and run down the leaders late.  I will use him up and down in exactas with Regal Ransom (#1) and Hull (#8) and use all three in the pick 6.

In Race 9, The Acorn, I like Funny Moon (#4) a late developing filly trained by Christophe Clement, to spring an upset and catch the leaders in the final furlong.  I’m using Dream Play (#7) and Justwhistledixie (#8) with my choice in exactas and using all in the pick 6.

In Race 10, The Manhattan, Better Talk Now (#8) will relish the soft going and if the pace heats up between Cosmonaut (#9) and Cowboy Cal (#12), can explode in the stretch and return to the winner’s circle after a long absence.  I’ll use him up and down with the two speeds and Court Vision (#1) in exactas and triples.  I may have to use all four in the pick 6.

In Race 11, The Belmont Stakes, I’m using Summer Bird (#4) and Charitable Man (#6). See my analysis below.

My pick 6 ticket: ($2) – $48

Race 6: 1

Race 7: 8,

Race 8: 2 & 1

Race 9: 4, 7 &  8,

Race 10: 8 and 1,

Race 11 4 & 6

Add my other selections in a $1 pick 6 ticket. Good luck!

Finally, the big day is here at Belmont.  It’s a beautiful Summer day, the track is drying out and they will be running on a soft turf course for all races except #12 & #13.  So who’s going to win the Belmont Stakes?  Well, it’s Summer Bird (#4), a horse I fell in love with so fast, I never it saw coming!

This lightly raced son of Birdstone (a past Belmont winner), trained by Tim Ice, gets a tremendous rider switch to Kent Desormeaux  (from CR Rosier), and is my pick to upset the field at 10-1 or better.  He ran a deceptively good race in the Derby and gets blinkers today which will help him stay closer to a slow pace and finish.  I like him to catch Charitable Man (#6), who ran a great race in the Peter Pan and who is the main speed they will all have to catch.  I’m playing both on top in doubles and pick 3’s, the pick 4 and pick 6.  I don’t think Mine That Bird (#7) will be able to rally from far back given the slow pace and I won’t use him today!

Good luck!