Handicapping

Play of the Day Race Date June 24, 2021 Track Belmont Park Race 5 Overview A very deep and competitive NYB N1X with several that look the same on paper, but on that could own a decisive pace edge. Pace It looks very slow, so expect #5 THE LAST ACE (8-1) to be sent off her sprint return, especially since Jose Ortiz loves to be aggressive early and take control of a race. Trends The turf has been relatively formful throughout the meet, though with hot, dry weather over the past few weeks, closers figure to be at a disadvantage. Best Bet THE LAST ACE Number 1 Morning…

Play of the Day Race Date June 20, 2021 Track Belmont Park Race 2 Overview A competitive 50k starter with several who look evenly matched on paper, though one has upside and reason to move forward. Pace It looks very slow, so there a chance that #1 MONTATHAM (8-1) is sent early off his sprint return, and the fact he chased the pace when routing before the long layoff. Trends The turf has been relatively formful throughout the meet, though with hot, dry weather over the past few weeks, closers figure to be at a disadvantage. Best Bet MONTATHAM Number 1 Morning Line (8-1) Best Bet Overview #1…

Play of the Day Race Date June 19, 2021 Track Belmont Park Race 4 Overview A competitive 50k starter with several who look evenly matched on paper. Pace It looks non-existent, which should really flatter the chances of #1 HOHOHOHO (5-1), who wired last time and has shown a penchant for getting brave when allowed to control the early tempo. Trends The turf has been relatively formful throughout the meet, though with hot, dry weather over the past few weeks, closers figure to be at a disadvantage. Best Bet HOHOHOHO Number 1 Morning Line (5-1) Best Bet Overview HOHOHOHO (5-1) (turf only): Expected Lone F just wired over…

Play of the Day Race Date June 18, 2021 Track Belmont Park Race 5 Overview A typically weak 20k MCL with very few who have any upside. Pace It doesn’t look overly fast, which means tactical speed is at a premium. Trends The main track has played fair, for the most part, throughout the meet, though tactical speed is never a bad thing. Best Bet WARFRONT FIGHTER Number 6 Morning Line (7-2) Best Bet Overview #6 WARFRONT FIGHTER (7-2): I’m not usually a fan of lifetime maidens but this one has been in good form and now goes off the Potts claim, which is a 24% move, and…

Play of the Day Race Date June 17, 2021 Track Belmont Park Race 2 Overview A good 32k claimer for older, with several winning possibilities. Pace It doesn’t look overly fast, which means tactical speed is at a premium. Trends The turf has been relatively formful throughout the meet, though with hot, dry weather over the past few weeks, closers figure to be at a disadvantage. Best Bet Bee Bit Number 4 Morning Line (9-2) Best Bet Overview #4 Bee Bit (9-2) (turf only): Capable miss has been doing the dirt thing of late but goes back to turf off the Atras claim (32%), which is noteworthy, and…

Play of the Day Race Date June 13, 2021 Track Belmont Park Race 3 Overview A solid N1X on the turf with several lightly raced runners who can improve. Pace It appears sharp, which should really set it up for #1 LONESOME FUGITIVE (5-2). Trends The turf has been relatively formful throughout the meet, though with hot, dry weather this week, it could be on the fast side. Best Bet LONESOME FUGITIVE Number 1 Morning Line (5-2) Best Bet Overview #1LONESOME FUGITIVE (5-2): Stalker goes second-off the long layoff, drew perfectly, and should get plenty of pace to rally into. Picks & Plays Aggressive WP bet and single…

Play of the Day Race Date June 12, 2021 Track Belmont Park Race 4 Overview A potentially strong MSW that could easily be a key race in the making come Saratoga. Pace It appears honest, though not overly fast, so tactical speed figures to be key. Trends The turf has been relatively formful throughout the meet, though with hot, dry weather this week, it could be on the fast side. Best Bet BIG EVEREST Number 5 Morning Line (4-1) Best Bet Overview #5 BIG EVEREST (GB) 4-1) (turf only): Loved that debut 2nd in October, and while he hasn’t been seen since, Clement is hot and always gears…

Play of the Day Race Date June 11, 2021 Track Belmont Park Race 7 Overview An evenly matched AOC that appears to have several viable win candidates on paper, though more than a few that might be eliminated by what could be a hot pace. Pace As mentioned, there’s seems to be plenty, as several want to be on or just off the early lead, which could set it up for #7 FINDING FAME (5-2), who has the right style and post to take advantage. Trends Speed (predictably) played well last weekend, and though, the big stakes weekend in the rearview mirror, things could be a little more…

Play of the Day Race Date June 10, 2021 Track Belmont Park Race 8 Overview A solid AOC for older horses, though one with two inside favorites that could potentially be at a pace disadvantage. Pace There’s not much here, which could flatter #5 JALEN JOURNEY (3-1), who should be the controlling speed, and conversely hurt #1 Mihos (5-2) and #2 Town Classic (2-1), who don’t have much of it. Trends Speed (predictably) played well last weekend, and while this is the start of a new racing week, being in front or up close is never a bad thing, regardless. Best Bet JALEN JOURNEY Number 5 Morning Line…

Play of the Day Race Date June 06, 2021 Track Belmont Park Race 7 Overview A very good renewal of the Jersey Girl, with several lightly races fillies that could develop into graded stakes types. Pace It looks supersonic, as several want to motor early, including ML favorite #5 Miss Brazil (8-5) and second-choice #3 Bella Sofia (5-2), and that could set it up for someone late. Trends Speed/press played well Thursday, though it was also a formful day filled with logical winners, and with an off-track Friday the slate gets wiped clean and TBD for Saturday. But, regardless, there still looks to be enough heat here to…