Horse Racing Tracks - June 19, 2008

This Saturday, our Racing Newsletter will feature some thoughts on "Curlin" and what his connection's plans are for the rest of his racing career.

"Zaftig" the winner of the "Acorn"(G1) on the Belmont under card has a bruised foot and will miss her next assignment.

A reminder that Belmont will again feature a twilight card tomorrow, Friday, June 20 with the first post scheduled for 3:00 pm (EST).

Today we have a four-spot from Belmont Park.

Today's Best Bet is # 10 Equally in Race # 4 at Belmont Park.

Wednesday's Results: Belmont Race #4 Exacta (box of top three) (7-2) $32.60. 

Belmont Race # 5 Exacta (box of top three) $45.40. 

We had two nice winners in our selections in the two other races we picked, Delaware 4th (# 3 Junes Approval: $31.80) and Belmont 9th (# 9 “Can She Dance”: $13.40), but couldn't hook them up right in the exacta, tri, or super.

Today's Horse Racing Picks:

BELMONT PARK Race #FOUR (2:30 PM Eastern)

(# 10) EQUALLY - Terrible trip in her last on this surface and distance. Strong performances in her previous tries on the turf and a "super" work on June 7 in preparation for this. She redeems herself today.

(# 9) Jelly Roll - Moves off the inside where she encountered heavy outside pace-pressure in her latest. Looks well spotted and well-placed in the gate for a big effort.

(# 4) It's Not For Love - Filly got away with a very slow pace in latest and held well down the lane to be beaten by a neck. Her three grass races are all solid and she'll be in it from the start. May be a bit over-bet.

(# 6) Plantinumplus - The field's lone four-year-old. She's improving for the Tagg barn and has just missed in her last three tries. This is start number eight so at this stage what you see is what you get.

(# 4) BLUEGRASS GIRL - Game maiden win last out in her second start off an August layoff and second start for the "Chief". Surged late to beat the favorite on the wire and it was the first time she rated and finished. Finds a logical spot for her first effort against winners. Needs to avoid traffic in this large field.

(# 6) Royal Spaulding - Veteran at this tag has run competitively over many surfaces and different distances. Mare had position on May 30 in her seasonal bow, but came up a bit short. Looks primed and ready today.

(# 2b and 2) Jocassee and Wild Logic - We'll take either half of this Gary Contessa trained entry as our third pick. Both have been lightly raced this year with "Jocassee" having the most grass experience along with some speed. "Wild Logic" also has some speed and will be making her turf debut.

(# 5) Unbridled Union - Has her share of problems and filly that's regally bred had some promise at one time. Tries turf in her second start in a year and had trouble in her return run. Could run very well today.

(# 10) Maddie's Reward - Re-tooled by trainer John Parisella after shipping north from Florida and making one start at Aqueduct in late April. Working steadily, she has never sprinted on the grass, but has run well going long.

(# 5) CITY ROAR - Flashed big speed in her only other dirt race, last season on this track. Daughter of "Carson City" has been racing on the grass since, with a pair of "trouble" lines noted. Moves back to the dirt for her third start of the season. The horse to beat.

(# 6) Karakorum Cheyenne - Has good early speed and is coming off her best start ever. Gomez sticks and four-year-old is clearly improving.

(# 2) Offhand Remark - Firster from the Flying Zee/Phil Serpe combination. Last pair of works catch the eye, and trainer's go-to rider Edgar Prado is aboard.

(# 3 ) Shirley Law - She's shown just enough in her outings to be dangerous here. Had some traffic issues in latest and rallied late to finish third. Filly showed speed in her previous pair and that makes her especially interesting.

(# 9) DISTORTED REALITY - Upset special has enough class and speed to impact this race from start to finish. Ability to escape this outside draw and stalk the pace runner, and in an added plus, he's making his third start off a November layoff.

(# 3) Grand Couturier - Field's classiest runner hasn't raced since the "Breeder's Cup Turf" (G1) last October at Monmouth. Working well, he'll need his best effort to win off the bench. Slow pace won't help his cause.

(# 1) Mission Approved - The main speed and he owns the hedge. Tracked the pace in his seasonal debut on May 11 before encountering traffic woes. Working well at Saratoga since for the Contessa barn. Threat on the top end.

(# 5) True Cause - Deep-closer may not get the fast/contested pace that he needs to do his best. Minor award looks like his ceiling. Tri and super candidate.

(# 7) Banrock - In good shape at present and he's become a very consistent runner. Win may be a bit of a stretch, but he could impact the exotics.

Horse Racing Picks Resources:

• Don't forget to read our free horseracing picks here.
• Updated today: win at horse racing.
• Hop over to our handicapping horse here.
• Don't forget to read our horse racing glossary here.
• Don't forget to visit our horse racing bouncing.
• Don't forget to read our racing rules here.
• Hop over to our horse racing sports book here.
• View our kentucky derby handicapper here.
• Take a look at our preakness stakes handicapping here.
• Read our belmont handicappers here.
• Don't forget to read our 2008 horseracing season picks here.

Check out the last five Horse Racing Picks Newsletters:

Horse-Racing-Picks-June-18-2008
DELAWARE PARK Race #THREE (1:35 PM Eastern)(# 1) LIGHTHOUSE POINT - Strong finisher has run well in his last pair against much tougher on this course and distance. Drops to his lowest tag ever and he ...

Horse-Racing-Picks-June-17-2008
DELAWARE PARK Race #ONE (12:45 PM Eastern)(# 1) PRICE OF FREEDOM - Filly makes her first start since late February when she was racing in poor form at Oaklawn. She is training in fine fashion for her ...

Horse-Racing-Picks-June-16-2008
DELAWARE PARK Race #THREE (1:35 PM Eastern)(# 1) TARA'S WARRIOR - Just missed in her latest race which was her first on this course since arriving from Florida. Stalked, bid strongly and lost by a nec...

Horse-Racing-Picks-June-15-2008
BELMONT PARK Race #FOUR (2:35 PM Eastern)(# 3) PORONUI - Makes his first start of the year for the potent Clement barn. Ran well in his only start last season at two and is working fast and steadily f...

Horse-Racing-Picks-June-14-2008
BELMONT PARK Race #TWO (1:30 PM Eastern)(# 11) CAESAR BEWARE - Looked good in last when he was dropped in for this tag and won despite traffic woes in deep stretch. Race was his second with lasix and ...