Thoroughbreds Sunday: McMudder has some picks for Belmont, Monmouth and Laurel
Belmont Park gets special credit for fielding a race card on the day after their big day. Neither of the other Triple Crown venues manage to do it. First, an apology. Mick handicapped Saturday’s Belmont card as if the grounds crew had not noticed the severe speed and rail bias on Friday. Obviously they did and addressed it by adding some volume at the rail making the races far more equitable on Saturday. When you have the best track super in the business, they probably watch the races to see how the track is playing. Certainly, it didn’t help Tacitus in the 6 path.
Picks for June 9, 2019:
Mostly sunny to partly cloudy with pleasant temperatures.
Belmont Race 5
8-The Sinner Is You gets significant class relief here after running with the best that NY bred maidens had in the last three. Multiple pilot changes tell all that he is no rider’s first choice but Junior Alvarado is riding well and experience should help. 9-The Grand Canal doesn’t run very straight and that may get worse with the increase in distance. Definitely fits here on best day but is this his best surface? 2-Game Break gets a distance break and that may be huge. He lacked for stamina in a route last out but showed decent early foot. 1-Lorri’s Candy will get sent based on his last race and rail position. Can stay around for a piece.
$10 W/P/S 8-The Sinner Is You
$2 Exacta box 8,9
$1 Trifecta box 2,8,9
$0.10 Superfecta box 1,2,8,9
Belmont Race 6
2-Maniacal is a Goldilocks horse searching for his best distance. He has gone too far and faded and gone too short and not gotten up. If 6f is just right, then this could be his race. 5-Spectrolite won at this distance at Aqueduct and brings a super solid form cycle. His key to success is the early pace and 1-Jewel Can Disco will have a huge say in that breaking from the rail and moving to the turf for the first time in a while. If a speed duel breaks out, look for 9-Wicked Freud to loop and swoop. He is cutting back in distance off of a win and the move up in class is not significant here. And Jose Lezcano wins at 58% for Jason Servis.
$10 W/P/S 9-Wicked Freud
$2 Exacta box 2,9
$1 Trifecta box 2,5,9
Monmouth Race 10 -Smart N Classy Handicap
3-Horologist is a stand out here but has yet to break through in stakes company. Her last two wins were impressive but those were short fields and things went her way. 8-Crazy Daisy comes into town off two solid efforts at Parx and steps up in distance. Her natural speed should be helped on the fast Monmouth oval. 6-Beatubyachubinose picks up the pieces.
$10 W/P/S 3-Horologist
$2 Exacta box 3,8
$1 Trifecta 3/6,8/6,8
Mick’s Quickie’s
Belmont Race 3 -Jersey Girl Stake: 3-Break Even looks every part of a short priced favorite. She has done nothing but win and comes here after conquering a G2 last out on Derby weekend. No one else is remotely close.
Monmouth Race 5: 2-Donji is an enigma here. He runs faster on dirt and finishes second but runs slower on turf and wins. Today is turf so look for a win
Laurel Race 4: 2-Nicholas and Me marks the 4th partnership between bug Avery Whisman and trainer Dale Capuano. The first three led to pictures and this one should too.