What a horrible handicapping job at Monmouth.  Yes — the rain came (Atomic Rain) in race 9 and won, but that was my only winner on top and I listed just one other.  But at Belmont, what a beautiful handicapping day!  8 winners listed, 3 on top and a flat bet profit of $3.50.  I had races 1-4 and 6-9, including 6 doubles, 4 pick 3’s, two cold exactas, an exacta box and an exacta key.  But at the end of the day, all I remember is Monmouth.  Ugh — the life of a handicapper!

Fast and firm today at Belmont, but don’t be afraid to get stuck in the “marsh!”  In race 7, The ManOWar, Marsh Side (#4) is my pick to post the upset.  Neil Drysdale has the horse in top form and he can sit close to the pacesetter, Midships (#7) and get the first run on closers Gio Ponti (#9) and Dancing Forever (#8). I’m keying in exactas with the latter two and using in doubles and pick 3’s.  Here’s the whole card and good luck!

Race 1: 2 with 3 and 4

Race 2: 5, 8 and 1

Race 3: 2 and 3

Race 4: 2 and 1

Race 5: 4, 6 and 3

Race 6: 6 and 3

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

Race 8: 7 and 3

Race 9: 1 and 2

Race 10: 10 (Best Bet) and 1

Fast and firm — it’s a beautiful sunny day in New Jersey.  But the rain is coming later in the card!  In Race 9, 1 1/16 miles for 3 year olds, Atomic Rain (#2) had a winning prep at this track and should handle this company.  I’m using him in exactas with Papa Clem (#5), the probable favorite and I’m keying in doubles and pick 3’s. Here’s the entire card and good luck!

Race 1: 4 and 1

Race 2: 5 (Best Bet) and 1

Race 3: 3 and 5

Race 4: 5 with 7 and 1

Race 5: 1 and 6

Race 6: 6 and 8

Race 7: 1 and 7

Race 8: 5 and 3

Race 9: 2 (Best Bet) and 5

Race 10: 3 and 2

On the surface, listing 7 winners out of 9 races at Belmont, including 5 doubles and 3 pick 3’s, would leave deafening cheers from horseplayers everywhere.  But I’m a handicapper that likes to beat the favorite and that doesn’t work well when you end up with only 3 winners on top and a flat bet loss of $6.10 for the day.  Just wanted to remind myself that handicapping is about picking winners — so if the favorite is the best horse in the race and should win, list it on top!  If I did that yesterday, I would have listed 6 winners on top and had a flat bet profit.  I hope to remember that today!

By the way, speaking about trying to pick winners , only had one on top at Monmouth and listed just 3 winners.  But I feel good about today’s races so come back and see my picks at 12:30pm.