Race 1- 1st #5 TIZ ENVY 2ND #1-1A BROWN ENTRY 3RD #8 SCANNO
#5 TIZ ENVY drops in for a tag on short rest after setting a wicked pace and tiring late going long. This is a far
more realistic spot class-wise and the distance of this affair suits him quite a bit better. The cutback will make
him a late threat at a price. #1 CONGLOMERATE is a son of Lemon Drop Kid who is out of a mare who won
3x on the turf. His entrymate, #1A TRAFFIC PATTERN, has less pedigree for turf but both sport decent
worktabs and needn’t be much to contend for top honors in here. #8 SCANNO found the right competition
when dropped in for a tag last time out at Gulfstream. He rallied into a moderate pace that day and is capable
of laying closer to the top early. That would be the best spot for him today.
Race 2- 1st #5 SHOPLIFTED 2ND #3 MISCHIEVOUS ALEX 3RD #4 ECHO TOWN
#5 SHOPLIFTED has been in dire need of a cutback in distance and gets it today off of a performance in the
Oaklawn Stakes that was better than it looks. He moved early into a white hot pace that day before weakening
late and now figures to lay back and make one run. This son of Into Mischief will also be the longest shot in
this quintet. #3 MISCHIEVOUS ALEX is the one to beat today given his last two performances, as he looks
like a 7-8 furlong specialist. He is capable of setting the pace if the situation presents itself, or stalking and
pouncing under Kendrick Carmouche. That versatility makes him a major threat. #4 ECHO TOWN is a
consistent son of Speightstown who figures to be ideally positioned early. He was game in victory last time out
against a salty allowance field at Churchill and is on the upswing for a high percentage barn.
Race 3- 1st #6 INDIAN PRIDE 2ND #7 MRS. DANVERS 3RD #2 CARRIZO
#6 INDIAN PRIDE turned heads on debut for trainer Chad Brown in a performance that was so strong it
prompted the public to bet her down to 7/5 in the Raven Run at second asking. She battled early on a strong
pace before weakening late and now lands in an ideal spot off the bench. Even if she stubs her toe, she is a
very likely winner. #7 MRS. DANVERS was a flashy maiden winner at Saratoga and thrust herself into the
conversation for the Breeders’ Cup in that score. She has found a tough customer in Indian Pride today but
has a ton of upside for a Hall of Fame trainer. #2 CARRIZO was a game second two back against far weaker
but did so despite getting no pace help at all. If the top pick hooks up with her stablemate on the rail early then
things will setup for a late runner like this daughter of Paynter.
Race 4- 1st #1 DECORATED INVADER 2ND #3 PROVEN STRATEGIES 3RD #2 VENEZUELAN HUG
As hard as you may try to poke holes in #1 DECORATED INVADER, he is a very likely winner of this affair.
He benefited from a big pace setup last time out but should get pace to run at here. His lone turf blemish since
a runner-up finish on debut came when he endured a brutal trip in the Breeders’ Cup and he showed last time
out he is a matured 3YO. #3 PROVEN STRATEGIES is the best of the frontrunning types and should be
actively involved in the pace from the start today; He was a game 2nd behind a stablemate of the top pick last
time out and has blossomed this winter in South Florida. #2 VENEZUELAN HUG was clearly a good claim by
this high percentage outfit, as he has rattled off consecutive wins at Gulfstream. The first of those came
against next-out open MSW winner Shamrocked, so there’s reason to believe this guy can handle the class
jump to this Grade II event.
Race 5- 1ST #7 RARE STRIPE 2ND #1 MUTAKAAMIL 3RD #6 SHADOW BOAT
The money #7 RARE STRIPE received on debut was more than just the public’s normal love for Shug
McGaughey. He ran a credible race, overcoming a poor break from the gate before passing some rivals late
despite no pace help whatsoever. He now moves to the barn of Jack Sisterson, which is no dropoff from Shug
and you’ll get a square price here. #1 MUTAKAAMIL is a likely favorite worth betting against, as this son of
Tapit has no speed and stands to get shuffled out early breaking from the rail. He has disappointed on
numerous occasions in the past and will offer no value as one of the few win candidates in here. #6 SHADOW
BOAT is a dangerous second timer who likely gained from his debut. He hails from an underrated barn that
does well with new and lightly raced horses and the price here should be plenty attractive.
Race 6- 1st #3 HIGHLAND GLORY 2ND #2 SWEET MELANIA 3RD #5 SELFLESSLY
#3 HIGHLAND GLORY endured a rough trip last time out when 2nd against stakes competition at Gulfstream.
This full sister of the Grade I placed Highland Sky has loads of ability and has improved by leaps and bounds
since moving to the turf. With a cleaner run and some pace help she is the one to beat. #2 SWEET MELANIA
was a tremendously impressive winner of the Jessamine last fall at Keeneland. She looked to be on her way
to Breeders’ Cup glory before weakening late and now returns from a lengthy break. Trainer Todd Pletcher is
5 for his last 12 (3.56 ROI) with turf routers off 180+ day breaks. This daughter of American Pharoah also
looks like the one to catch in this compact field. #5 SELFLESSLY showed so much on debut that her trainer
moved her into graded stakes competition second time out. She rewarded his confidence with a game win and
then came up short in the Breeders’ Cup. Her improving form in limited tries last year portend serious ability.
Race 7- 1st #8 MY SASSY SARAH 2ND #12 SPEIGHTSTOWN GAL 3RD #9 CRATER RIM
#8 MY SASSY SARAH was an impressive maiden breaker at Saratoga then ran a credible race when fifth in
the Miss Grillo. She moved aggressively into the pace that afternoon before weakening late and now cuts
back to what should be an ideal distance. It’ll also help her get back to her best kind of trip too. #12
SPEIGHTSTOWN GAL is a 3rd time starter who was a game winner on debut before moving up in class while
changing surfaces. She is drawn favorably on the outside and can stalk and pounce today under the leading
rider for one of the meet’s hottest trainers. #9 CRATER RIM is a late runner who figures to get a big pace
setup in this affair. She has been plenty effective sprinting and will be a huge price in this spot. Look for her
late in the game.
Race 8- 1st #1 GAMINE 2ND #6 PLEASANT ORB 3RD #4 CASUAL
#1 GAMINE is a very likely winner at a short price as she enters stakes company for the first time. She was a
game winner against allowance foe last time out and should find herself once again clear in the opening stages
today. If able to get loose, she is going to be impossible to catch. #6 PLEASANT ORB was hurt by a poor
ride last time out and can be an upsetter in here with some pace help and a cleaner trip. She has improved
with each passing start, so there’s upside here. #4 CASUAL is a beautifully bred daughter of Curlin and is out
of the Grade I winning mare Lady Tak. That is a pairing of two of the very best Asmussen has ever trained and
there’s still clear potential to realize for this lightly raced filly.
Race 9- 1st #5 STUBBINS 2ND #2 OLEKSANDRA 3RD #4 PURE SENSATION
#5 STUBBINS goes 2nd off a layoff after encountering trouble in the Daytona at Santa Anita. While this son of
Morning Line had every opportunity to get through a tight spot in upper stretch, he had been brought into a fast
pace by staying too close early. The six furlong trip is ideal and the hot-riding Luis Saez has the call. #2
OLEKSANDRA is a late runner who has is at her best at today’s 6 furlong trip. She will benefit if the pace
materializes in this field and Joel Rosario has been aboard for her best races stateside. Look for her late in the
game. #4 PURE SENSATION is the one to catch as he returns from a layoff for trainer Christophe Clement.
He won this race four years ago and still held strong form into the fall before being favored in the BC Turf
Sprint. If left to his own devices on the front end he can definitely take them from start to finish.
Race 10- 1st #8 TIZ THE LAW 2ND #10 PNEUMATIC 3RD #2 SOLE VOLANTE
#8 TIZ THE LAW is clearly the one to beat as he returns from a nearly three month break following his handy
Florida Derby score. This versatile son of Constitution is drawn ideally today to stalk the pace and pounce
when ready under Manny Franco. His past exploits make him a very likely winner and a single in the multi-
race bets. #10 PNEUMATIC got the worst of it last time out setting the pace under pressure against more
seasoned 3YOs like NY Traffic and Maxfield. He is another who’ll benefit from having an outside post and he
will move forward off his last outing. His price should be appealing as well. #2 SOLE VOLANTE has yet to
run poorly on dirt and got a tightener last week at Gulfstream for this engagement. He was stuck on a dead rail
two back at Tampa Bay Downs and still finished with interest and is now in a spot where he can capitalize if the
pace quickens.
Race 11- 1st #9 DIGITAL AGE 2ND #3 LARGENT 3RD #2 BREAKING THE RULES
#9 DIGITAL AGE returns off a layoff and drops in class after earning a Grade II win as a 3YO. He endured a
tough trip last time out in the Hollywood Derby and will benefit from the expected strong early pace in here.
Though this is just a springboard to graded stakes down the line, trainer Chad Brown does well with these type
of layoff returnees. #3 LARGENT is in NY for the first time after nearly going perfect for the winter at
Gulfstream. His speed and inside post makes him a player from the start going a trip where saving ground is
essential. If he gets clear of this bunch he’s a major threat to go the distance. #2 BREAKING THE RULES
looked like he was ready for graded stake engagements last year before faltering when moved up in class.
Like many of the major players in here he is likely in need of a race, but his talent makes him a logical player.
Race 12- #8 TURBO DRIVE 2ND #7 QIAN B C 3rd #2 CRACK SHOT
#8 TURBO DRIVE is a new gelding as he returns from a layoff for trainer Mike Maker. This son of Teuflesberg
broke his maiden impressively at Aqueduct last fall then found open N1X competition too tough. This is the
right spot class-wise and it appears as if the pace in here will be robust. #7 QIAN B C is another who is in line
to benefit from the expected hot pace, and he has the best turf sprint jockey around on board today. He was
helped by a strong early gallop last time out and narrowly missed, and his best efforts on the grass make him a
serious win candidate. #2 CRACK SHOT is the best of the speeds and is drawn on the inside, so he is
expected to blast off right from the gate. He got involved in a very hot pace two back before weakening late,
and a poor break from the gate hurt him that day. Look for him to be ridden aggressively from the outset.
BELMONT MEET STATS: 110-21-14-12 $135.80
