It’s time for the Stars and Stripes Racing Festival at Belmont at the Big A. This is one of my favorite weekends of the year because you get wonderful racing and Saratoga is just two weeks away! This year is no different with a Friday graded stakes and a loaded card tomorrow! Let’s get to today’s Belmont at the Big A best bets.
All eyes will be on #6 Next, who won this race last year to kick off a four-race winning streak. I do not want to take anything away from Next, who has been awesome, especially in the last three races, but his life is going to be more difficult today. In all his wins, he has been on the front end of the race, controlling the tempo. That won’t be the case today with legitimate mile speed signed on to go the mile and three eights distance. He will also be a very, very short price. He’s 4/5 on the morning line and have been under even money in all three of his previous starts.
Let’s go to that pace. #5 Drake’s Passage, who went gate to wire last time out, has more natural speed and drew inside of Nest. Add it all up and Drake’s Passage should be able to get the lead and control the pace in this spot. He’s never gone this far; that’s the big concern, but with such a short-priced favorite who has to do something different today to win, I’m willing to try to get a better price home.
#3 Crupi is the other logical entry here. This Pletcher trainee has been facing better at shorter distances and now will try marathon racing for the first time. He would be the main beneficiary if the 5 and 6 hook up early since he will be coming from the back of the pack.
Picks: 5-6-3-4
Belmont at The Big A Best Bets: $50 Win #5
The band is back together in the seventh race with a slew of horses that know each other well. I’m going to the #4 Power Seeker, who has been coming out of multiple tough fields. He’s run well in the last three but has been unable to get a win. The added distance today should be a bonus. He’s bred to like it, which should allow him to be closer to the pace.
#5 Perform lost to Power Seekers two back and lost to Arthur’s Ride, a Mott horse who is in for a big summer, last time. He was not very competitive with Arthur’s Ride so I am not putting too much in that. He ran well at a long distance last time, so we know that won’t be an issue, but the price is. After being available at double-digit numbers the last two races, he’s the 3-1 morning line favorite.
#2 Mistical Curlin will also take some money. He’s the most proven horse at this mile and an eight distance with two wins. He may be best suited here to break and go to the front. He’s got speed to his inside, but controlling the pace would give him the best chance to win.
#3 Duke of Gloucester was far behind Perform last time out, but he wanted to be closer to the pace, so I am willing to give him a pass there. Today, he should be a better trip, but it is a cut below this bunch.
Picks: 4-5-2-3
Belmont at the Big A Best Bets: $50 Win #4
Spot Plays:
Belmont at the Big A, Race #3, $50 Win #3
Belmont at the Big A, Race #6, $50 Win #1
