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Belmont Stakes - May 30, 2009The drama is finally over as the connections of Preakness heroine "Rachel Alexandra" announced yesterday that the filly would not race in next Saturday's Belmont Stakes (G1). The move frees jockey Calvin Borel up to climb back aboard Derby winner and Preakness runner-up "Mind That Bird". Our coverage of the Belmont Stakes will include selections and analysis on the "Test of Champions" and five other races on the under card, most of them stakes. Today's racing menu features a total of five races, three from Belmont Park and a pair from Monmouth. Today's Best Bet is #3 Little Stitch in Race #7 at Monmouth Park. Friday's Results: Belmont Park Race #3 Ex. (4-1) $22.00.  Today's Horse Racing Picks: Top pick: #6 (BALLYTHUNDER) - Drops slightly for his second career start. He showed good early speed in his debut chasing a wire-to-wire class dropper and he held well for the show. Trainer Richard Dutrow is fine second time out (30%) and any improvement at all should get the job done. 2nd pick: #7 (Soonasigetpaid) - Improvement has been noticeable since a switch to the high-percentage Mike Maker three starts back. Stalker has finished third in his last pair and Maker will add blinkers (a 33% winning angle for the barn). Could win this if the top pick falters. 3rd pick: #3 (Orient Song) - Takes a big drop for trainer Dave Duggan in his second back off a 5 1/2 month layoff. "Legged-up" on the turf, runner shortens-up and moves back to the main track. Duggan is sharp on the surface switch (winning at a 24% clip). MONMOUTH PARK Race #3 at 1:50 PM Eastern Top pick: #3 (SKY RED) - She chased a fast pace in her sprint debut at Calder and did so despite some early trouble, eventually winding up third. Ships from Florida and is stretched-out in distance. Can win this on the front-end. 2nd pick: #4 (On My Way) - Raced well in her only start last season at two and daughter of "Giant's Causeway" had problems at the start of her seasonal debut. She's a win candidate with a clean getaway. 3rd pick: #5 (Blushing Dixie) - Daughter of "Dixie Union" debuts at a tough distance, but she has a solid set of works leading up to her initial race. Trainer George Weaver names Joe Bravo and that combination has won with four of their last seven starters. BELMONT PARK Race #5 at 3:05 PM Eastern Top pick: #2 (STORM HOPE) - Colt makes his seasonal debut in this spot and he showed ability in his first pair last year, finishing close-up in both, winding up second in one and third in the other. Trainer Barclay Tagg excels off the layoff and names Dominguez. Lots of things to like. 2nd pick: #3 (Quiet On The Tee) - Probably needed his debut and trainer Chris Clement moves him to the turf and adds lasix this afternoon. Look for a much-improved run today. 3rd pick: #9 (Coronation Day) - He's run well in his turf sprints and will be stretching-out in distance for trainer George Weaver. Blinkers will be removed (a 25% winning angle by the barn) and he should be racing close-up off the sprints. Win candidate. 4th pick: #8 (Cop's Fever) - Has some speed and will be returning from a 7 1/2 month layoff. Faces a tough task, but he could make an impact if ready. Special Race Notes: Selections if race is switched to the dirt: #10-Senegal #9-Coronation Day 1&1A (Entry) #2-Storm Hope MONMOUTH PARK Race #7 at 3:50 PM Eastern Top pick: #3 (LITTLE STITCH) - Returns for a great layoff barn (Ben Perkins Jr.) after being on the sidelines the past seven months. Filly displayed huge ability in her two starts last year and is working like a filly that will fire fresh off the bench. The top pick. 2nd pick: #9 (Seeking Glory) - Returned recently from a half-year's absence and finished a pace-chasing third despite breaking slowly from her rail post. That contest had a solid field and if filly moves forward off of it she could challenge for the win. 3rd pick: #6 (Punchin' Chudy) - Improving sort overcame a bad start to easily break her maiden last out with the addition of lasix. She'll need to pick it up some to have a shot at the win, but that's certainly possible. BELMONT PARK Race #10 at 5:45 PM Eastern Top pick: #3 (EVOLUTIONIST) - Clearly prefers the grass, he ran well on it in a race last year at two and fired big in his seasonal debut on Jan. 22 finishing second to the talented "Pinckney Hill". Hasn't raced since then, but is working well, draws a fine post, and has proven he can run well off of layoffs. Can "upset" the chalk. 2nd pick: #1 (Wild Entry) - Logical selection and probable heavy favorite. He's finished second in all three of his starts and wasn't beaten much in any. Has a flexible style and he's a serious win candidate. 3rd pick: #8 (Yankee Empire) - He finished second last October in his only turf race, then was not seen again for six months, having a "useful" seasonal debut on the Keeneland Poly. Returns to the grass and is set-up for a big effort. 4th pick: #7 (Spanish Art) - Makes his third lifetime start and will move back to the grass this afternoon. Away last in his debut on the turf, he closed strongly in a large field (12). Colt finished a strong second last out in a Poly race at Keeneland and can impact this with a transfer of that form. Special Race Notes: Selections if race is switched to the dirt: #7-Spanish Art #1-Wild Entry #8-Yankee Empire #9-Just an Investment Horse Racing Picks Resources: Check out the last five Horse Racing Picks Newsletters: Horse-Racing-Picks-May-29-2009 Horse-Racing-Picks-May-28-2009 Horse-Racing-Picks-May-27-2009 Horse-Racing-Picks-May-26-2009 Horse-Racing-Picks-May-25-2009 |
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