Belmont @ Saratoga

Thursday, June 6, 2024

Weather watch:   Prepare to get wet.  There is an 80% chance of showers.  There could also be thunderstorms.   

 

Short Note.

This blogger will not wager on 2 year-old races at this abbreviated meet.  A selection in a 2 year-old race will only be used for a Pick 3, Pick 4, or Pick 6 wager.   

Surface change?   Cancel all selections and wagers if any race is moved from the turf and placed on the main track.   

Thursday’s Card

Race No. 1.  Post time 12:50 P.M.   An 8 1/2  furlong turf race.    Claiming price = $40K.

No pick.   Pass.   

Race No. 2.  Post time 1:22 P.M.   The Tremont.  A 5 1/2 furlong turf race for 2 year-olds.    Purse = $150K.

   Hmm.  Wesley Ward with a 2 year-old runner - - again.   The pick is #7 “Touchy” but no wager here.  

 

Race No. 3.  Post time 1:55 P.M.   A 7 furlong dirt race restricted to NYS Breds.  Purse = $90K.

  The Bromans kept #7 “Land d’Oro” (4-1) for a reason.   The a.m. workout pattern since her April 21st race is solid.   The wager:   $2 W/P/S #7.   Total = $6.   

Race No. 4.  Post time 2:28 P.M.  The Jersey Girl Stakes.  A 6 furlong ungraded stakes race restricted to 3 year-old fillies.   Purse = $150K.

  Two fillies should vie for the lead into the deep stretch, i.e. the likely favorite #5 “Almostgone Rocket” (6-5) and #7 “Moonlit Lady” (12-1).   The edge goes to “Moonlit Lady” because her sire is “Malibu Moon”.   The wagers:   $1 Exacta Box 5/7, then $1 Double 7 w 4/9.   Total = $4.   

Race No. 5.  Post time 3:01 P.M.  A turf sprint restricted to NYS-bred fillies and mares.   Purse = $85K.

   First timer #4 “Summer Whirl” (8-1) shows a good a.m. workout pattern.  She could be “home free” if Johnny V. can get her out of the gate.   Next, #9 “Heart of the Night” (5-1) gets off the rail.   She could be the one.   The wager:   $2 Double 4 w 2, then $1 Exacta Box 4/9.   Total = $4.    

 

Race No. 6.  Post time 3:35 P.M.  A 7 furlong race for maiden fillies and mares. Purse = $100K.

  Both parts of the 1 Entry look tough on paper.   The main question about both is this:  “Where have you been?”   Next, when it comes to a Shug trainee, we all know that Shug will not run a horse if it looks sideways at him.   So #2 “Silvology” (12-1) offers betting value vs. a very suspect field.   The wager:   $1 Double 2 with 4/7.   Total = $2.   

Race No. 7.  Post time 4:09 P.M.   An 8 furlong race restricted to fillies and mares.   Purse = $110K.

Chad’s #7 “Ways and Means” (2-5) did no running five weeks ago.   She may win, but at less than even money?   No thanks.   Next, trainer Todd Pletcher’s #4 “Miz Sense” (8-1) fetched $500K in the sales ring.   She looks “live”.   The wagers:   $3 W/P/S #4, then $0.50 Pick 4:  4/7 w 1/6/7 w 9 w 12   Total = $12.   

 

Race No. 8.  Post time 4:43 P.M.  An 8 1/2 furlong  turf race restricted to NYS Breds.   Purse= $85K.

  Those making Pick 3 wagers will include either #6 or #7 (or both) on their tickets.  Both have good connections but, as we know, connections do not run on the track.   This blogger will also opt for a flat bet wager on #1 “Romantic Charmer” (8-1) who is overdue to exit this condition.   The wagers:  $2 Win and $3 Place #1, then $1 Pick 3:  1/6/7 w 9 w 12.   Total = $8.    

Race No. 9.  Post time 5:17 P.M     The Astoria.  An ungraded 5 1/2  furlong dirt stakes race for 2 year-old fillies.  Purse = $150K.

Trainer Wesley Ward’s #9 “Long Neck Paula” (2-1) was quick in her debut.  She fetched $500K in the sales ring.  Plus, she has Johnny V. in the irons.   What’s not to like?   

The wager:  $2 Double #9 with #12.  Total = $2.    

 

Race No. 10.  Post time 5:50 P.M. The Belmont Gold Cup.  A 16 furlong Grade II turf stake.  Purse = $250K.

Last year’s winner: “Siskany” at nearly 1-1.

  

   It is a good sign that jockey William Buick comes from Europe to ride #12 “Siskany” (1-1) once again.  This favorite faces less opposition than he faced last year when the race was run downstate.  He will be formidable.   No wager here.    

Total Wagers for Thursday, June 6th = $38.

 

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