Belmont Day picks and pans

BELMONT DAY  PICKS AND PANS

Belmont Park and the New York Racing Association have put together a fantastic day of racing for June 10. The third leg of the Triple Crown is the center piece of the day, but the Belmont Stakes is far from the only “big” race on the card. Let’s pretend like it’s the apple tree in Uncle Cletus’s yard and make a few picks.

The second race of the day is the mile and a sixteenth Easy Goer for three-year olds. Sonic Mule should offer some value here. At 10 to 1 on the morning line, we like the Todd Pletcher trained colt to get the day started with a nice payout. Local Hero is also worth a look here.

Race 4 is the one-mile Acorn for three-year old fillies and the final leg of the Triple Tierra. Abel Tasman won the Kentucky Oaks in impressive fashion. At 2 to 1 on the morning line, this Bob Baffert trained filly should be right there again. Salty (4 to 1 ) is breaking from the outside post and could be a good across the board pick.

Race 5 is the mile and a sixteenth Ogden Phipps and it marks the return of that amazing filly Songbird. An overwhelming favorite at 1 to 2 on the morning line, the only question is how will she run after being off since last November? If her recent works are any indication the real question is how much does she win by?

Race 6 is the 6 furlong dash on the grass called the Jaipur.- Undrafted is sitting nicely at 12 to 1 on the morning line and usually comes with a big late run so take him across the board. West coast invader Stormy Liberal is one to watch as well for trainer Peter Miller.

Race 7 is the 7 furlong Woody Stephens for three-year olds and it is flat loaded. Great race to play a superfecta so let’s pick 4 because it is hard to pick just 1. Recruiting Ready is a hot horse, American Anthem is Bob Baffert trained, Wild Shot was very impressive in his Pat Day Mile win on Kentucky Derby day, and the Money Monster is 20 to 1 on the morning line and could win it. Cha-ching!!!

Jumping to race 9 gives us another great chance to make some real hay. The one turn Met Mile is another race that is more loaded than Otis on Andy Griffith. We are going to pick a super here too. Awesome Slew is one we really like because of his big, late kick. Mor Spirit is a nice Bob Baffert horse and he usually does not ship unless the horse is right to win. Tommy Macho likes the Belmont dirt and at 10 to 1 on the morning line he sweetens the pot too. Denman’s Call is the last one we will throw in as he invades from the West coast at 15 to 1 on the morning line.

Race 10 is the mile and a quarter Manhattan Stakes on grass. We like the favorites here. Beach Patrol is a front-running Chad Brown trainee that will be there at the end. Question is can he hold off the hard closing Divisidero and World Approval? Put all three in your trifecta box but I like the Buff Bradley trained Divisidero to win with a late rush.

The big chalupa is race 11. With the injury to Classic Empire, the third jewel of the Triple Crown will be a bettor’s dream or nightmare. If my superfecta hits you might here me yipping it up no matter where you are. Start with Todd Pletcher trainer Tapwrit, add in J Boys Echo, figure up Mikle Smith ridden Meantime, and finish with the winning Lookin at Lee!

Best of luck and enjoy!