|
Belmont Stakes Handicapping - June 08, 2008Not much to say about the Belmont as I could see as the horses hit the far turn that "Big Brown" was already under pressure and could not pass the horse immediately in front of him "Tale of Ekati" let alone make any in-roads on eventual winner "Da'Tara". The crowd left on a down note, but that's the nature of the game itself. The horse was in a perfect position, but came up empty when asked to run. The only question I have is the scrutiny that the steroids issue will have now. "Big Brown" wasn't treated since April 15 with Winstrol and appeared to hit a brick wall around the far turn. But, we'll let the resident "experts" discuss that aspect. It was nice to see over 100,000 fans show up for the spectacle and the card that NYRA put on was a very good one. In contrast, just over 6000 were there the day before the Belmont. History will have to wait for another day. In a piece ran just after the Kentucky Derby, Wunderdog racing ran a Dog Pound article offering advice on playing for a Triple Crown winner and how difficult it is to win the third leg. Feel free to re-examine the article featured in the Dog Pound below. Today, with Belmont dark until Wednesday we have four races, two each from Delaware and Monmouth. Today's Best Bet is # 4 Cherokee Focus in Race # 2 at Delaware Park. Belmont Results: We only had one winner on top and a favorite at that - #7 (Benny the Bull) $3.00 in race # 7. We had two winners picked second, #1 (Desert Key) $4.30 in race #1 and #4 (Piazza De Spagna) $10.40 in race #3. A $21.40 horse # 4 (Ventura) picked third in race #7. In the 10th Race our top pick # 5 (Out Of Control) missed by a nose at 3-1.Today's Horse Racing Picks: (# 3) REPENTHOUSE - Finished a fine second at Belmont last out in his second start of 2008. Shortened up and was dropped off his seasonal debut and finished well to gain the place late. He has a sharp drill at Belmont on June 2 and attracts Bravo for trainer Frank alexander. (# 7) Berning Blaze - Shortens up off a wide trip going a mile last out. Backed up badly but the outside draw helped do him in. Finished second the last time he sprinted, which was at Gulfstream for this tag. Draws well today. (# 6) Boldly Scccessful - Ran and finished evenly in his first start since late in 2007. Had several good tries last season at two and should move forward off his seasonal bow. (# 2) Rogue Minister - Debuts for Kelly Breen and has been working steadily, first in Florida and now on this surface. Son of "Deputy Minister" cost only $75,000 and runs first out for $60K. Trainer/jockey combo wins at a nice 27% clip. DELAWARE PARK Race #TWO (1:10 PM Eastern) (# 4) CHEROKEE FOCUS - Son of "Cherokee Run" appears to be on the improve and will try a distance of ground for the first time today. Good speed/stalking ability in his sprints and trainer Graham Motion is a fine 29% on the distance increase. Dominguez takes over and he wins at 26% when teamed with Motion. (# 1) Stones River - Sharp maiden win last out for the sizzling Larry Jones barn. Trainer specializes with fillies, but knows what to do with a nice colt (see "Hard Spun"). Runner draws the rail and can save ground before launching a rally in his first try against winners. (# 3) Jumponthebandwagon - Fields most experienced runner has finished second in his last pair at this track, condition, and distance. Likes to race mid-pack and make a run and is a dangerous foe. MONMOUTH PARK Race #FIVE (2:50 PM Eastern) (# 3) REATA'S ROCKET - Former stakes winner on this course ran his best race in over a year on May 9. Had the rail on a sloppy track, stalked a fast pace and finished well to be a clear second while no-threat to an easy winner. Has a sharp work on May 31 and has had five weeks since the last race. (# 1) Private Number - Set/pressed the pace in his return from a November layoff and just failed to hold on. Son of "Phone Trick" has a great record on this dirt (10-3-2-2) and draws the coveted rail post. (# 4) Baby Rusch - Working well at Belmont for trainer Bruce Levine, who is having an outstanding meet here (30-16-2-4). He'll be making his first start sice late October and has fired good races "off the bench" before. DELAWARE PARK Race #SEVEN (3:25 PM Eastern) (# 3) BROKERAGE HOUSE - Strong trainer/jockey combination teams Dominguez and Mike Matz who win at a 35% clip when together. Gelded son of "Chester House" ran strongly in his '08 debut at Gulfstream, but has been on the sidelines since. Good positional speed and can win this with his best. (# 9) Chaluwitcane - Stakes placed many times last season when three. Ran evenly at Tampa Bay in a stakes to start this season and has been freshened up for the past five weeks. More than capable against these if he moves forward in his second start of the year. (# 7) Double Doors - European-bred and raced colt came here late in 2007 to the barn of Graham Motion. He's improving with each of his three starts in the U.S. and recently finished second at this condition at Pimlico. Dangerous with a repeat of that one. (# 6) Mabou - Runner tends to always have good position but rarely finds enough late. That said, he fits with this field and has been training well for Tim Ritchey and could impact this race at a decent price. Horse Racing Picks Resources:
Check out the last five Horse Racing Picks Newsletters: Horse-Racing-Picks-June-07-2008 Horse-Racing-Picks-June-06-2008 Horse-Racing-Picks-June-05-2008 Horse-Racing-Picks-June-04-2008 Horse-Racing-Picks-June-03-2008 |
   RSS
FEEDS
Sports Picks
HOME
TO: |
