The final leg of racing's Triple Crown is today at Belmont Park . We have concluded five weeks of races at three different venues; Churchill Downs, Pimlico and Belmont Park . On all three of these race days, the racing secretaries at each track put together a good undercard of stake races leading up to their big event. Through the years, it's the New York Racing Association (NYRA) that has done the best job with their races on the big event days. This year is no exception and the six stakes races on the Belmont Stakes card comprise the "pick 6" and this is what I'll look at in my column today, handicapping the Belmont day card of stake races.
The Acorn Stakes (6th race) at mile is consider by some as the second best three year old filly race of the season (at this moment). A short field of six are assembled with a prohibited favorite in Turbulent Descent at 3-5 morning line. While the favorite is five out of six with a second place finish, I'll try to beat her at those odds with a horse that showed promise at Aqueduct until an ill-fated trip to Gulfstream Park. It's Tricky, (#4) trained by Kiaran McLaughlin showed promise in her first three starts until shipped to Florida and her bad effort in the Gulfstream Park Oaks. She returns off a short layoff and should improve at this one mile distance. I'll use both Turbulent Descent (#2) and Her Smile (#1) underneath in my exotics.
The True North Handicap (7th) is up next for older horses sprinting. Trappe Shot (#3) came back after a long layoff to score in a overnight six furlong stake. It looks like "sprinting" will be his game from now on and tough to beat here. For 2nd I'll be going with Rule by Night (#4) a favorite of mine since he broke his maiden versus our Lloydobler a year and a half ago.
Three year old sprinting colts go in the Woody Stephens Stakes (8th). Here I'll go with the most consistent three year old sprinter; J J's Lucky Train (#7). After finishing 3rd in the one mile Derby Trail, he returns sprinting and is 2 for 2 at the seven furlong distance. Travelin' Man (#1) is my 2nd choice and he comes out of the same race as my top pick.
It's back on grass with the fillies & mares in the one mile; Just A Game Stakes (9th). I'll be "boxing" the first and third place finishers in the recent Churchill Distaff Turf Mile. Aviate (#2) and Fantasia (#6) look like the best two here off their last races. In my superfecta plays I'll use underneath these runners; Strike the Bell (#5), Gypsy's Warning (#1) and Cherokee Queen (#8).
The last race before the Belmont Stakes is the Woodford Reserve Manhattan Stakes (#10) at a mile and a quarter on grass. The solid pick here is Gio Ponti (#4) coming off his try in the Dubai World Cup in March. Back on grass and at his maximum distance, he has a big class edge over this group. A longshot to use in this race with all the speed entered is Bold Hawk (#2) trained by Jimmy Toner. Making his second start off a layoff, he should have no problem with the distance and will be closing late. At 12-1 morning line odds, he look's like the one to use underneath favorite; Gio Ponti. Others to use in your superfecta plays are; Windward Islands (#3) , Viscount Nelson (#6) and Prince Will I Am (#7). My "pick 6" play will be; 2/4 with 3 with 1/7 with 2/6 with 4 with 1/6/9/12 total play cost - $64.00
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