Fast and firm on Memorial Day — traditionally one of my most successful handicapping days at Belmont.  After yesterday’s card, where my two best bets had the lead in midstretch and couldn’t close the deal, I’m ready for a change of luck — but the card is really uninspiring for Memorial Day.

In race 9, The Grade 2 Sands Point, Negligee (#8) has been knocking heads with the best 3-year old fillies in the land — gets a much easier assignment today and has already shown a fondness for turf.  Take any price!

In race 10, The Grade 1 Metropolitan Handicap, the race comes down to two horses who can be on the lead and can control the pace in a race that doesn’t have the usual horses who can put up 44 and change quarter miles which may help the closers.  Obviously, Quality Road (#7) is the best horse in the race and may be the best older horse in the country right now.  He has speed and could wire this field , but will be no price.  I’m picking Tizway (#2) to post an upset at a track he likes and given the pace scenario which will favor his front running style.  Here’s the entire card and good luck!

Race 1: 1 and 6

Race 2: 6 and 1

Race 3: 1 and 8

Race 4: 7 and 2

Race 5: 1 and 3

Race 6: 4 and 5

Race 7: 8 and 9

Race 8: 7 and 2

Race 9: 8 (Best Bet) and 4

Race 10: 2 (Best Bet) and 7

Race 11: 9, 10 and 3

Fast and firm on a beautiful Memorial Day in New Jersey!  I finally had a daily flat bet profit at this meet when I had 3 winners on top, including a 14-1 shot and my Best Bet Just Jenda on Sunday’s card.  However, the races are very difficult to handicap and I need to step up my game for my supporters.

In race 7, Balaban (#1) gets a blistering pace to run at on a track he loves and with a trainer who does well with layoff horses.  I’m keying in all doubles and pick 3′s and playing an exacta box with Love Who (#6) and Dabnabit (#8).

In race 8, a competitive Optional Allowance on the turf, Get Serious (#6) loves this surface, runs well fresh and owns the best speed to wire these — I’m keying in all doubles and pick 3′s and playing an exacta box with Ever a Friend (#1)

In race 9, Valid Sum (#1) can sit close to a fast pace and run down the leaders late at 6 furlongs.  I’m keying in all doubles and pick 3′s and playing an exacta box with Great Attack (#5) and A Dynamite Time (#3).  Here’s the entire card and good luck!

Race 1: 5 and 8

Race 2: 4 and 1

Race 3: 4 and 6

Race 4: 4, 8 and 11

Race 5: 7 with 6 and 10

Race 6: 10 with 4 and 3

Race 7: 1 (Best Bet) with 6 and 8

Race 8: 6 (Best Bet) and 1

Race 9: 1 (Best Bet) with 5 and 3

Race 10: 6 and 1

Race 11: 2 and 8

Race 12: 6, 10 and 4

Fast and firm At Monmouth on Sunday — Saturday’s card was difficult and only had 1 winner on top (my best bet “He’s So Chick) so I will try and do better today with another challenging day of racing.

In race 10, The Monmouth Beach, Just Jenda (#5) has been facing much better and ran well against Zenyatta in last — comes back to a track that she loves and can post a mild upset at 4-1.  I’m keying in all doubles and pick 3′s and playing an exacta box with Luna Vega (#1).

In race 7, Blushing Dixie (#8) can get a nice stalking trip at 1 1/16 miles on the turf — I’m keying in all doubles and pick 3′s and playing an exacta box with Hooked On Hope (#1) .  Here’s the entire card and good luck!

Race 1: 1 and 6

Race 2: 6, 12 and 11

Race 3: 1 and 4

Race 4: 1 and 7

Race 5: 7 and 3

Race 6: 3 with 4 and 9

Race 7: 8 (Best Bet) and 1

Race 8: 12 and 2

Race 9: 5 and 2

Race 10: 5 (Best Bet) and 10

Race 11: 6 and 5

Race 12: 1 and 11

Fast and firm at Belmont on Sunday — only had 1 winner on top in Saturday’s card, but it was my best bet in The Vagrancy (Hour Glass) at 7-2.  I will try to do better today!

In race 8, The Kingston, Banrock (#5) is absolutely the best horse in the race and will be 3-5.  However, he is coming off a layoff, prefers a soft course and a fast pace to set up his late run — which he won’t get today! I’m playing against on top and keying Writingonthewall (#7) who could be the controlling speed on a track that is favorable to horses on the lead.

In race 9, The Mount Vernon, Akilina (#7) can sit close to a soft pace and get the jump on the closers — I’m keying in all doubles and pick 3′s and playing an exacta box with Stormy Relations (#5). Here’s the entire card and good luck!

Race 1: 3 and 2

Race 2: 6 and 3

Race 3: 4 and 2

Race 4: 2 and 4

Race 5: 4 and 3

Race 6: 4 and 2

Race 7: 1 and 5

Race 8: 7 (Best Bet) and 5

Race 9: 7 (Best Bet) and 5

Race 10: 1 and 2