We haven't had to do this in a while, but with the available tracks limited today, and the afternoon weather forecast in the Eastern U.S. very wet, we are going to handicap some races in the slop. We will head to Belmont, where we expect all turf races to be moved from dirt, and where we expect all dirt races to be run over a sloppy, sealed track. Let's go.
Belmont Park, Race 2, 1:49 pm ET
$50,000 Starter Allowance, 6 Furlongs, dirt, 3 & Up
A field of seven goes in here. We like the horse on the rail, 1-Crea's Bklyn Law, a 4-year-old gelding who has been a hot commodity at the claiming box, changing barns three times since December. He starts today for trainer Linda Rice, and while he has tried and missed at this level in each of his last two races; we think the slop will be the difference today, as he has hit the board in six of his seven career starts on a wet track (2-2-2). We will bet him to win at 4-1. The bet: Belmont Park, Race 2, $25 to win on 1-Crea's Bklyn Law.
Belmont Park, Race 5, 3:32 pm ET
Maiden Special Weight, 1 mile, turf, 2-year-olds
This race is scheduled for the turf, but will be moved to the main track due to the rain expected on Long Island this afternoon. The change in surface will result in a bunch of horses being scratched, but one who will remain is 5-Fear None, who is a Main-Track-Only entrant. This son of El Padrino, a Pulpit stallion, has never run on a wet track, but his breeding suggests he will like it, and so does the fact that his trainer, Anthony Pecoraro, entered him in this race hoping it would be rained off the turf. That's enough for us. He's 5-1 on the morning line, but will likely be shorter at post time; we will bet him to win anyway. The bet: Belmont Park, Race 5, $25 to win on 5-Fear None.
Belmont Park, Race 7, 4:40 pm ET
Allowance, 6 furlongs, dirt, Fillies & Mares 3 & Up
A field of six goes in this first-level allowance for fillies and mares. We would normally pass a race with a field this short, but we are playing this one, all because of 4-Alisio. This 3-year-old filly checks all the handicapping boxes: she's got the most early speed in the field; she's got the best wet-track breeding in the race (sired by Ghostzapper, out of an A.P. Indy mare), and she's already won a race on an off track, when she broke her maiden on a muddy surface at Aqueduct last December. All signs point to go with this girl, so we will bet her to win this race. She's 4-1 on the morning line, but will be shorter at post time. The bet: Belmont Park, Race 7, $50 to win on 4-Alisio.
That's all for today. We will be back for what we hope is a much drier day tomorrow. Until then, as always, good luck at the windows.