Race 1- 1 st #6 KING OF MIAMI 2 ND #2 PITAMAN 3 RD #5 BLAME THE BOOZE
#6 KING OF MIAMI is the pick on either surface. A son of American Pharoah, he’s the first foal of a one time
winner and looks to have the more spirited worktab of the Wesley Ward duo. #2 PITAMAN is out of a dam
who was a turf stakes winner and is by 15% turf sire Pioneerof the Nile. He has trained well and these
connections combined for a win with a 2YO grasser yesterday. #5 BLAME THE BOOZE is by 12% debut sire
Blame and has a dam side pedigree devoid of turf influence. He’s already been gelded, which often means
he’s been problematic training-wise. OFF THE TURF: 6-5-4
Race 2- 1 st #2 FOX RED 2 ND #1 FIELD OF COURAGE 3 RD #10 DIRTY
#2 FOX RED is the pick on either surface and was actually more interesting on turf. Claimed last time for 16k,
he moves to the grass for which he has some fam side pedigree. His dam is a half to turf stake winner Red
Lodge and his 2 nd dam is kin to Grade I winning grasser Winter Memories. Perhaps he’ll get a try on the weeds
down the line for a barn that is 21% ($2.98 ROI) with claimers in turf sprints. #1 FIELD OF COURAGE had a
poor trip last time out chasing a hot pace before steadying out in mid-stretch. He now faces dramatically
weaker foes and can stalk the expected pacesetter from the outset. #10 DIRTY is another taking a serious
class drop, as he was last seen protected from the tag against N2X foes. While his career has gone the wrong
direction, he is spotted ideally today. OFF THE TURF: 2-3-6-11
Race 3- 1 st #8 ROAD HOME 2 ND #9 STRIKING SPEED 3 RD #7 FULFILL
#8 ROAD HOME failed as the 6/5 favorite during a poor stretch for the Bill Mott barn at the beginning of the
meet. Those days are behind Mott, who scored another win here on Thursday in the feature race. This son of
Quality Road gets another class drop and figures to get more pace to run at with speed on both sides of him
leaving the gate. #9 STRIKING SPEED takes more of an alarming class drop given he was last seen for 75k.
He drew nicely on the outside and can stalk and pounce for a barn that is 17 of its last 53 with maidens going
turf to dirt in route races ($2.70 ROI). #7 FULFILL improved by leaps and bounds last time out when he
outfinished the top pick. He showed good speed that day on the stretchout and figures to be an early player
again here.
Race 4- 1 st #2 MISS JAK 2 ND #1 ZECHA 3 RD #9 COTTON CANDY CUTIE
Pace-wise, things should really set up for #2 MISS JAK. She is dropping in class for trainer Rob Atras and has
faced tougher competition of late. There’s a great deal of speed signed up and things should heat up on the
front end if the field stays intact. #1 ZECHA is an interesting off the pace type for the low percentage Randi
Persaud barn. This mare ran well when last seen against comparable foes and is another who’ll benefit if the
pace is strong in the early stages. #9 COTTON CANDY CUTIE ran very well to check in second against 10k
sellers last week. She was bet down to favoritism that day and set a strong pace before being collared late.
The presence of other speed and the outside post could put her in a stalker role today, which will help.
Race 5- 1 ST #4 STRIKE MAGIC 2 ND #6 KITTEN BY THE SEA 3 RD #7 OVERHEATED
#4 STRIKE MAGIC didn’t have the cleanest of trips last time and ran in spots before coming up wanting late.
She was badly pace compromised that afternoon and can rebound at a price in a more honestly run tilt. #6
KITTEN BY THE SEA is the horse to beat off a claim by Todd Pletcher. She set a soft pace last time out en
route to a wire-to-wire score and that makes her one of only two multiple winners in the field. She shouldn’t be
left alone on the lead, but can be dangerous stalking the pace too. #7 OVERHEATED is back on the lawn and
ran a credible race at this level the last time she turfed in November of 2019. She was wide late that afternoon
when the inside paths were best on the Aqueduct lawn, which is another reason to give her a long look.
OFF THE TURF: 10-5-7
Race 6- 1 st #9 VOICE OF SPRING 2 ND #7 VIVAZANO 3 RD #10 JEWEL OF ARABIA
#9 VOICE OF SPRING ran very well on debut to check in fourth in a race totally dominated on the front end.
She made a big late move in an effort that should set her up well for this 2 nd outing. Trainer Linda Rice is a
mind boggling 45% with 2 nd time starting MSW runners in dirt sprints ($3.26 ROI). #7 VIVAZANO took all the
heat on the inside setting the pace in her debut before getting collared late. She is another who’ll benefit from
having that race behind her, and her early zip makes her a player from the outset. #10 JEWEL OF ARABIA
goes 2 nd off a layoff for trainer Christophe Clement after outfinishing the top two picks last time out. What has
to concern you about this gal is her inability to finish the deal and you’re going to have to swallow a short price
again.
Race 7- 1 st #1 BRASS RING 2 ND #9 MERLIN’S MUSE 3 RD #10 NOBLE JEWEL
On turf, #1 BRASS RING is the one to catch as she moves back into the claiming ranks. She set a strong
pace last time out before weakening late and now gets a journeyman rider back aboard. They’ll have to catch
her for the money. #9 MERLIN’S MUSE got the wrong ride last time out when she ended up too close to a
strong pace. She goes 2 nd off the bench here and can be wound quite a bit tighter for Dave Donk. Expect
improvement, although it didn’t appear as if she loved turf with some give. #10 NOBLE JEWEL cleared the
N2L ranks against a weak field last time out and now goes 2 nd off a lengthy layoff. She should be in prime
“stalk and pounce” territory again and might just grab the baton if the top pick falters. OFF THE TURF: 6-1-3-11
Race 8- 1 st #5 BLUGRASCAT’S SMILE 2 ND #1 TWISTED TOM 3 RD #3 WINSTON’S CHANCE
#5 BLUGRASCAT’S SMILE is an interesting price play in a race that is loaded with speed on paper. Tab the
scratches to make adjustments, but it is undeniable this veteran is dropping in class and returning to a trip that
suits him far better. #1 TWISTED TOM ran a credible race when second to Sea Foam last time out, as he
made the only meaningful off the pace move. He’d be a more attractive price if not coupled with #1A I LOVE
JAXSON, who looks like he has seen better days. Either way, this pairing is a must-use in the multi-race
plays. #3 WINSTON’S CHANCE was too bad to be believed last time out against much tougher and now
returns to NY bred competition. He loves wet tracks, so the likelihood of rain makes him interesting.
Race 9- 1 st #6 LONG WEEKEND 2 ND #5 WONDRWHERECRAIGIS 3 RD #1 PREMIER STAR
#6 LONG WEEKEND is part of a smashing duo of 3YO sprinters from the Tom Amoss barn. It is this
handicapper’s thought that this is the better of the pair and he figures to easily dispatch this bunch in a prep for
the Grade I Allen Jerkens. He is fleet of foot and should have control early, which would make him very tough
to beat. #5 WONDRWHERECRAIGIS gamely ran down an isolated leader last time out at Laurel and has
shown in two outings he has plenty of talent. If the top pick doesn’t bring his ‘A’ game, this is the next likeliest
winner. #1 PREMIER STAR landed in a salty allowance event for older horses in his first start for Mike
Trombetta, and a bad break from the gate wrecked his chances. He should fare better today, especially with a
cleaner start on his return to the 3YO ranks.
Race 10- 1 ST #9 SILENT EMPRESS 2 ND #6 RUNNING ON ENTRY 3 RD #14 FRENCHIE FROU FROU
#9 SILENT EMPRESS is the best option in a race that is unappealing on any surface. She is by 10% turf sire
First Samurai and is out of a mare who won three times on the turf. This is where to land given the way the
proven turf form in this field looks. Trainer Jimmy Toner is having a tough meet and even worse year, but he’s
dropping #6 RUNNING ON ENTRY in for a tag off the bench. This filly ran well on debut and the blinkers
should wake her up a bit early. That figures to be helpful given that the pace is what beat her in her last start.
#14 FRENCHIE FROU FROU is more interesting on dirt given the race she ran on debut, but she did some big
late running last time after a slow break. That race was dominated on the front end, and this filly showed
plenty of life. OFF THE TURF: 14-3-11
BELMONT MEET STATS: 209-54-34-25 $317.40
