Horse Racing Tips - June 26, 2008

A reminder that tomorrow, Belmont Park will conduct a twilight racing card with a Post Time of 3:00pm (EST). Next Friday, the Fourth of July, a regular 1:00 pm (EST) Post will be in effect.

Today we have a total of four races from beautiful Belmont Park.

Today's Best Bet is # 4 Hatta Fort in Race # 8 at Belmont Park.

Trifecta (6-5-1) $25.20.

Today's Horse Racing Picks:

BELMONT PARK Race #ONE (1:00 PM Eastern)

(# 1A) MY COUSIN MATT - Drops from $50,000 down to $20K and doeas so off a claim. Trainer (Dave Jacobson) specializes in this type of maneuver and runner looks like the main speed on the outside. Part of an entry from the stable as he's coupled with Ferocious One.

(# 3) Sonny Pajamas - Drops slightly after a pace-pressing try while wide on June 14. Previous race was a win on a fast pace and he's drawn inside of the other speed.

(# 4) Mass Charles - Steps up in class for the DiPrima barn seeking his third in a row and fourth of five. Faces a lot of other speed today and he'll need his very best to keep his streak intact.

(# 7) CONTENTIOUS - Beautifully-bred filly spent her early career in England and raced well at various locales and distances. Phipp's home-bred came back to her native land and has raced well in her three starts. Freshened up since a Keeneland start in late April, she's training well and stable's main-rider Edgar Prado is aboard.

(# 1A) Survived - Filly has improved her overall game since coming back after taking the winter off. Tactical speed to utilize and a good post. Very sharp at present and she's coulped in the wagering with "Jeux de Danse."

(# 2) Prianca - Makes her second start in the U.S. after racing on main-land Europe in Germany, Italy, and France. Lightly raced and without much speed, she made up some ground to finish fourth here on May 15, after being "bounced" around early in that one. Improves today for a great turf barn (Angel Penna Jr.)

(# 1) Jeux de Danse - The "other" half of the Contessa entry. Veteran brings good tactical speed/stalking ability and a great post. Goes with a price on her head and has done well in the past with that scenario.

(# 4) HATTA FORT - Colt kept only the best of company in England and it's rare to have a three-year-old of his quality come here this early. Just missed in his seasonal and U.S. bow in the "Lafayette" S. at Keeneland, then was probably best in The "Hill Prince" on this course June 6. "Godolphin" runner is the horse to beat.

(# 8) Redefined - Likes the turf sprinting game (6-2-4-0) and comes into this off a near miss in his first start of '08. Tough, hard-hitter, draws a good post and will be a handful.

(# 3) Perfect Casting - Freshened up since mid-January by the Clement barn, he is another European runner of some quality. Has raced well in the U.S. without visiting the winner's circle in his four starts. Training sharply at Saratoga for his return and he's in the sharp Clement barn.

(# 7) FIONA FREUD - Much improved efforts in her first pair of this year after having the winter off. Just missed in both, at this conndition and distance, beating most entered here. Loves this course (5-0-4-1)and looks all set for her graduation.

(# 2) Sage Chapel - The most serious challenger. Lightly raced and improving, she was beaten by two lengths in her last by the top pick and had some traffic woes on the turn. Dangerous win contender with slight improvement.

(# 5) Outtawesthills - Four-year-old just missed in her seasonal bow in the second division of this condition on May 26. Just missed, but race was run in a second slower that the other heat. Filly has come back to work sharply and is a contender for the "money' slots.

(# 8) Sweet Slam - Four-year-old ran well in her only turf start which was her most recent effort. Closed late at this level and distance to finish third. Has little room for up-side and needs to do better.

Horse Racing Picks Resources:

• Take a look at our free horseracing tips here.
• Here we show our horse systems.
• Don't forget to visit our handicapping horse.
• Here we show our horse racing explained.
• View bouncing horses here.
• View horse rules here.
• Check out horseracing racebook here.
• Take a look at our free kentucky derby picks here.
• Read our handicapping the preakness stakes here.
• View our updated belmont stakes picks.
• Hop over to our 2008 horse racing prior picks results here.

Check out the last five Horse Racing Picks Newsletters:

Horse-Racing-Picks-June-25-2008
DELAWARE PARK Race #TWO (1:10 PM Eastern)(# 5) SWEETAMYGEE - Goes second off a two-month break and showed big speed in her return against a bit better. Drops slightly and the other speed is inside of ...

Horse-Racing-Picks-June-24-2008
RIVER DOWNS Race #ONE (1:05 PM Eastern)(# 5) More Than Thought - Drops and stretches for the Wayne Bearden barn (21 of 87) on the year and (15 for 50) at this meet. Plenty of speed to use in a race wi...

Horse-Racing-Picks-June-23-2008
PHILADELPHIA PARK Race #FOUR (1:35 PM Eastern)(# 3) BACKBURNER - He drops to the bottom in his second start off a Patty Farro claim for $25,000. Pulled up in his last when hopelessly beaten, he should...

Horse-Racing-Picks-June-22-2008
BELMONT PARK Race #THREE (2:00 PM Eastern)(# 4) FIDELIO - Won his return race at this track and distance. Held on after setting all the pace in his first race since last October. Should be more fit to...

Horse-Racing-Picks-June-21-2008
BELMONT PARK Race #TWO (1:30 PM Eastern)(# 3) GOLDEN WEEKEND - Excellent return off an eight-month layoff on Belmont Stakes day. Stayed within range from a tough outside post, bid turning for home and...