Finally, NY racing in all it’s glory with a fantastic card on Belmont Day — hope the weather cooperates with showers in the forecast.  Right now, the main track is good and the turf is good, so I will be handicapping as if all races will remain on the turf, but I will be making changes if any races are switched to the main track so please check back for updates.  Had a decent day yesterday with 4 winners on top and a flat bet profit — here’s hoping for a great day today!

In race 7, The Grade 2 True North, Trappe Shot (#3) is two for two at Belmont, had a great return race and will really like any moisture in the track as well, he’s my single key in the pick 6 (races 6-11), but I am using the 1/1A entry in an exacta box.

In race 10, The Grade 1 Manhattan Handicap, Prince Will I Am (#7) had no shot in the paceless Turf Classic on Derby Day — stretches back out, gets a solid clip to run at and is the pick to win this as the second choice behind Gio Ponti (#4).  I’m keying in the pick 4 and pick 6 and playing an exacta box with the favorite.

In race 9, The Grade 1 Just A Game, Gypsy’s Warning (#1) gets cozy post and can stay close to CS Silk (#4) and get the jump on the closers — I’m keying in all multi-race wagers and playing an exacta box with #’s 4 and 6.

In race 11, The Belmont Stakes, Nehro (#6) has been freshened since the Derby and has shown ability to run from closer to the pace if needed, choice to run down the leader and hold off the closers — I’m playing an exacta and trifecta box with #’s 9, 5 and 12.  Here’s the entire card and good luck — not if you are playing the pick 4 and pick 6, single Trappe Shot with all my other selections!

Race 1: 6, 9 and 5

Race 2: 5, 4 and 3

Race 3: 4, 13 and 9

Race 4: 4 with 11 and 5

Race 5: 9, 11 and 7

Race 6: 3 and 2

Race 7: 3 (Best Bet) and 1A

Race 8: 1 and 7

Race 9: 1 (Best Bet) with 4 and 6

Race 10: 7 (Best Bet) and 4

Race 11: 6 with 9, 5 and 12

Race 12: 9, 11 and 13

Race 13: 3, 6 and 9

Fast and yielding for the big day at Pimlico with a very competitive 13 race card on tap.  Watch out for the closers on the turf since the course is very tiring; the main track should be fast and fair with no major biases.

In race 9, The Grade 3 Gallorette Handicap, No Explaining (#2) ran very well in return on soft turf and could be getting better as a 4-year-old in second start off the layoff — much better value than Shared Account (#6) who totes 125 lbs. and might be better at a longer distance.  I’m keying in all multi-race wagers and playing an exacta box with #6.

In race 10, The Grade 3 Schaefer Memorial, Colizeo (#8) cuts back in distance and has great positional speed in a fairly paceless race — I’m keying in all doubles and pick 3’s and playing an exacta box with #5.

In race 12, The Grade 1 Preakness Stakes, Dialed In (#10) was too far back in the Derby and was doomed by a dawdling pace — another chance with some new speed signed on.  I’m keying in exactas with #’s 11, 4 and 9 and playing a nice win & place bet.  Here’s the entire card and good luck!

Race 1: 8 and 2

Race 2: 2 and 7

Race 3: 10 with 11 and 9

Race 4: 6 and 2

Race 5: 13, 11 and 1

Race 6: 4 (Best Bet) and 5

Race 7: 4 with 10 and 5

Race 8: 3 and 7

Race 9: 2 (Best bet) and 6

Race 10: 8 (Best Bet) and 2

Race 11: 3, 4 and 8

Race 12: 10, 11, 4 and 9

Race 13: 9, 7 and 12

The Preakness is looks like it will be run over a dry track on Saturday so no need to look for the mudders — but you should be looking for value in a race that is usually kind to chalk.  However, the logical choices stand out and it should be a form filled race with several speeds signed on and two very logical closers in Dialed in (#10) and the Kentucky Derby winner Animal Kingdom (#11).

I’m betting on Dialed In to take this at 4-1 with a late charge because of a sub 47 half mile (wish he had that in the Derby) and a much better price than Animal Kingdom who will be 8-5 and needs to prove it again to me to be a believer.  Maybe Flashpoint (#4) holds on for 3rd and Mucho Macho Man (#9) runs his typically strong race to pick up a check.

Good luck to everyone and I will post all my picks early Saturday before 10am!

Fast and firm with thunderstorms in the forecast on the biggest racing day of the year at Belmont.  Let’s hope that all the rain holds off until after the big race so my selections will all be for races remaining on the turf.  It’s a competitive card, but if the weather holds up, look for horses with speed to have an advantage on both the main track and the rock-hard turf courses.

In race 9, The Grade 1 Acorn for 3-year-old fillies, Amen Hallelujah (#6) had a tough post in The Kentucky Oaks and will use her good tactical speed to stay close and she will love the flat mile at Belmont — the best best all day!  I’m keying in all doubles and pick 3’s, making a big bet across the board and playing an exacta box with Buckleupbuttercup (#9) and Indian Burn (#11).

In race 11, The Belmont Stakes, Fly Down (#5) has to be the wise guy horse in here after his blow-out win in The Dwyer.  Has the right style for the big race, has tremendous upside potential and can post a mild upset if he doesn’t bounce.  I’m playing him across the board and playing exactas up and down with the two speeds, First dude (#11) and Interactif (#12), plus Ice Box (#6) who deserves favoritism but has the flow of the race working against him.  Here’s the entire card and good luck!

Race 1: 6 and 7

Race 2: 4 and 2

Race 3: 6 (Best Bet) and 4

Race 4: 6, 7 and 8

Race 5: 6 and 3

Race 6: 5 and 1

Race 7: 1A and 5

Race 8: 3, 1 and 5

Race 9: 6 (Best Bet) with 9 and 11

Race 10: 4 with 1 and 2

Race 11: 5 (Best Bet) with 11, 12 and 6

Race 12: 3 (Best Bet) and 1

Race 13: 2 (Best Bet) and 8