On a day where the Jets hope to “embarrass” the Patriots, I hope I’m not embarrassed at Belmont.  Fast and firm with some competitive races on tap!

In race 8, The Chaldea, a 7 furlong sprint on the turf, Ramon Daminguez had several options to choose from and he landed on Strike The Bell (#1).  This late running filly was sit a great trip and run down the leaders for the win.  I’m boxing in exactas with Haka (#8) and Reforestation (#9) and playing in doubles and pick 3’s.

Here’s the entire card except race #1 (the jump race) and good luck!  Let’s go Jets!

Race 2: 7 and 1

Race 3: 2 and 6

Race 4: 8 and 5

Race 5: 7 with 1 and 2

Race 6: 6 with 9 and 1

Race 7: 3, 1 and 8

Race 8: 1 (Best Bet) with 8 and 9

Race 9: 1 with 7 and 8

Race 10: 2 with 7 and 5

Another day of “what ifs” and near misses, but just enough winners to get excited about tomorrow.  Listed 6 winners, 3 on top, including a 7-1 shot in the last race that paid $16.40 and gave me a flat bet profit of $7.80.  But I just missed cashing on two great exacta boxes in races 7 and 10 and couldn’t string enough races together to make the doubles and pick 3’s profitable for the day.  Like I said, there’s always tomorrow!

One of the nicest days of the year in New York and that means fast and firm at Belmont.  Don’t usually like to play horses that have disappointed at short odds, but Es Mia (#1) might be worth keying in race 5.  This 1/8 statebred race on the turf boasts a very weak field with little pace and Maylan Studart should send Es Mia to the front to avoid trouble and never look back.  I’m keying in all double and pick 3’s and playing exactas with Simple Western (#2) and Playful Majesty (#6).

In race 6, a competitive optional allowance on the turf, Pictural (#5) may sit a perfiect trip behind the speed with Dominguez aboard and post the victory at a good price.  I’m playing in an exacta box with Lime Rickey (#4) and Picou (#4) and keying in doubles and pick 3’s.  Here’s the entire card and good luck!

Race 1: 8 and 3

Race 2: 4 and 8

Race 3: 9 with 2 and 5

Race 4: 6 and 7

Race 5: 1 (Best Bet) with 2 and 6

Race 6: 5 (Best Bet) with 9 and 4

Race 7: 4, 10 and 8

Race 8: 6 and 8

Race 9: 6 and 9

Race 10: 5 with 10 and 12

Muddy and soft at Belmont today and I would rather be focusing on football than handicapping this below average card.  Race 2 is the only race off the turf, but the early races are all uninspiring.  Save your money for later in the card when the races are more competitive!

In race 7, The AT Cole for statebreds on the turf, Banrock (#6) is once again the likely winner.  But the story is Straight Story (#3) who will appreciate the return to the statebred ranks and can get the first run on the favorite and score at a decent price.  I’m keying both in doubles and pick 3’s and making a win bet on my choice!

In race 8, a competitive optional allowance, Even Raise (#11) gets the perfect attack post and his favorite distance to work out a good stalking trip.  I’m playing him in an exacta box with Ea (#1) and Admirality (#7) and using in doubles and pick 3’s.  Here’s the entire card and good luck!

Race 1: 7 and 2

Race 2: 1 and 2

Race 3: 2 and 3

Race 4: 4 and 8

Race 5: 4 and 2B

Race 6: 1 and 6

Race 7: 3 (Best Bet) and 6

Race 8: 11 (Best Bet) with 1 and 7

Race 9: 5 and 8

Race 10: 7, 8 and 5