Thoroughbreds Saturday - McMudder Picks Belmont, Laurel, Monmouth, Parx, Delaware Park, United Nations Handicap
Lots of rain this week but it’s a big weekend across the region for turf racing so expect turf to be on, even if the going is not perfect. So how do you play less than firm turf? Look for pedigrees that favor it, often European-influenced, but always from families that have big feet. Big feet? Yes, big, pie plate feet. The horses that run best on softer turf are those that can stay on top of it rather than cut into it. So if you are at the races, look at the feet. If you are watching online, it gets more difficult but there are some pedigrees that seem to lead to the right kind of soft turf foot. Look for Kingmambo, Runaway Groom and Mr Greeley close up in addition to all of the Europeans.
Weather: Sunny and mild with low humidity. A great day to go to the races. Go. And take someone with you. Have fun. Share the joy. Look for Mick. He will be at the races Sunday. Stop and say hello . . .
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BELMONT PARK
Belmont Race 2 (2:02 p.m. ET)
1-Muntahez and 1A-Sayyaaf are deserving of favoritism here. Both can win here but if both go, expect a huge show pool on the Entry. 7-Duncastle is looking like a nice claim for current connections and a repeat of his last race could be good enough. Losing jockey Javier Castellano to the 1A doesn’t send a good signal but that may be due more to Chad Brown and Shadwell than the horse. 8-Halladay has been off for a while and Todd Pletcher is tough off the break. This one is bred to be good on the weeds but may need a race to get up to speed.
Belmont Race 2
$10 Show 7-Duncastle and 8-Halladay
$2 Exacta box 7,8
$1 Trifecta box 1,7,8
Belmont Race 3 (2:34 p.m.)
5-My Sister Nat has all of the right stuff to be a success, mostly the European campaign and Chad Brown as a trainer, but was bleeding the reason this one is here? Is Lasix enough? Instead find value elsewhere and see how to make a buck. 4-Miss Munnings and 6-Vortex Road both are consistent sorts and come in on good form cycles. Even 1-Mighty Scarlett deserves a look here although the race schedule is a little off putting. Look for this one underneath.
Belmont Race 3
$10 W/P/S 4-Miss Munnings
$2 Exacta box 4,6
$1 Trifecta box 1,4,6
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LAUREL PARK
Laurel Race 3 (2:10 p.m.)
4-Itgot Grandma showed another consistent effort last time but none of those have gotten this one home in front. Turf isn’t going to help. 5-Dynastic got caught in a pace battle last time but that doesn’t appear to be an issue with these. A pace controlling trip is in order here. 9-Yes Means No has made a good living hitting the board but has yet to break through after 17 starts. Definitely use in the exotics. 8-Unbelievable Story definitely hits on the pedigree angle discussed in the introduction and stands to move up off the single lifetime start.
Laurel Race 3
$10 W/P/S 6-Dynastic
$2 Exacta box 6,9
$1 Trifecta box 6,8,9
$0.10 Superfecta box 4,6,8,9
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PARX RACING
Parx Race 7 (3:45 p.m.) – Power By Far Stakes
8-Sweet Bye and Bye is even money on the Morning Line but comes in off back to back short priced favored failures. The most recent effort was a very good seasonal bow and proved that turf sprinting was a possibility for this one. 7-Bayberry won a first level allowance last out and comes from a barn capable of getting them ready off layoffs. Needs to move up in speed or seek out a longer trip. 10-Zipper’s Hero is all class and has banked more than $400K but virtually all of it has been on dirt. Can she become a turf sprinter at 6? Pedigree says yes and trainer Ed Coletti is not making many mistakes with good horses of late.
Parx Race 7
$10 W/P/S 10-Zipper’s Hero
$2 Exacta box 7,10
$1 Trifecta box 7,8,10
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DELAWARE PARK
Delaware Race 3 (2:15 p.m.)
Is 4-Thrice twice as nice? She may be now that she runs in a sprint. Her early speed two back should work here as long as 8-Southern n’ Sassy doesn’t clear from the outside. She has struggled in the past from outside posts. 1-Jazzy Juder finally gets back to her best surface after being purchased at auction over the winter. Surface and distance fits this one.
Delaware Race 3
$10 W/P/S 4-Thrice
$2 Exacta box 1,4
$1 Trifecta box 1,4,8
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MONMOUTH PARK
Monmouth Race 10 (5:00 p.m.) – Philip Iselin Stakes G3
3-Runnin’toluvya makes the trip from Charles Town after winning his every race in the last year there. Change in venue and change in pilot here may be too much. 5-Diamond King just missed against the top one in the Charles Town Classic but that was an “away game”. And speaking of home teams, 7-Monongahela makes the trip from Belmont for beach regular Jason Servis. 1-Bal Harbour combines Jersey Joe Bravo with Todd Pletcher so this one needs to be considered even if he has run behind the top ones. The distance may be a furlong too far for this one.
Monmouth Race 10
$10 W/P/S 5-Diamond King
$2 Exacta box 3,5
$1 Trifecta box 3,5,7
$0.10 Superfecta box 1,3,5,7
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MICK’S QUICKIES
Monmouth Race 11 (5:28) – United Nations Stakes G1
1-Bigger Picture doesn’t run bad races and just missed in this spot last year. Comes in fresh to try to put a G1 on the resume at 8.
Monmouth Race 12 (5:57 p.m.) – Lady’s Secret Stakes
8-Alberobello wins if she runs back to her last race but this one hasn’t put two good ones back to back.
Belmont Race 9 (5:51 p.m.) – Wild Applause Stakes
4-Nova Sol is a Chad Brown trained distance filly imported from Europe. ‘Nuf said.