Monday’s Race Recap from Belmont:
(All odds US)
Belmont Park:
Race 2: 4th@ 10.90/1
Race 5: 12th@ 11.40/1
Race 8: 3rd@ 3.00/1
Race 9: 8th@ 8.20/1
In Race 2, Belleshazza stalked the early pace, came wide into the stretch and continued on for fourth. In Race 5, Three Cups Full ran like she was hungover taking a few awkward steps on the backstretch before finishing well back without being persevered with. I hope that one’s okay. In Race 8 Jerry the Nipper was sent hard early but ended up conceding the lead to two long shots early. Just when he was about to make his move, favored Dakota Gold got the jump to his outside and finished fastest of all. Jerry finished third. In Race 9, Over the Cap proved that not even blinkers could help his tardy breaks as he blew the start once again and rallied on well just to catch up with the field.
Let’s close out our extended race week with an Independence Day card from Belmont. I’m handicapping for fast and firm conditions but want to acknowledge that it’s been so humid that thunderstorms can pop up at any moment this time of year. Let’s get to work!
Belmont Park
Race 10: Swoop to Finish - 1 pt win (US Morning Line Odds: 15/1)
Allowance runners race a mile on turf to close out our Belmont action til Friday. It seems the handicapping world is in agreement that the 1-Olkovskha, who’s shipping in from France with two wins to her credit, is the fastest horse in the world. At least according to the handicappers in the Daily Racing Form. I don’t see it, to me she looks like she fits but doesn’t deserve to be 2/1 or even her 7/2 morning line. Swoop to Finish is interesting at 15/1. Her career best effort came at a mile and a quarter on turf. She almost became a stakes winner that day finishing second by a length. From there she was given some time off after cutting back in distance and tiring in her next start. They tried her over a muddy Belmont main track and she wanted no part of that finishing 8th. Today she runs for Bill Mott and his go-to rider, Junior Alvarado, and I think she’ll be asked for speed. They might just be looking at her heels from start to finhsh!
Best of luck to all our members playing Tuesday’s races from Belmont!