Belmont Today

[Bobtailnag]

In order of preference & assuming an off track
Excuse the typos if any - had cataract surgery Thursday

R1 - If it stays on the green
Fairway Drive - this horse only has to hear the word "pace" to win
Hawkinsville was steadily cashing checks at a lower lever when tnr suddenly steps him up & moves him to the turf where he's never won and won at 20/1. Moved back to dirt and down a step and ran up the track. back to turf & up 2 steps - can he do it again"

If off the turf, toss Fairway but keep Hawkinsville (4 for 5 on the slop)
Take The Bluff
Humor Thre Man
Hawkinsville

R2 - Come Soon - Last was a definite improvement against better and will play at 5/1 or better
Natty Meboy - Broke Mdn in MC50K, ran well in Alw-N1X and now dropps onto CL15kN2L? Could be a firesale.
Social Escalade - Is capable of wiring this field if Townie doesn't take to the slop this race
African King - broke mdn last at MC32K and would expect his next win to be at this level but trainer has been cold of late. Iffy pick at best

R3 - Grapple lost by a nose against better last out. Looks pretty tough in here.
He Struck It Rich - 13-0-7-2 on grass and is dropping to a new class low. His turn today?
Sir Hughes - based on that effort 2 back, he has a legit shot at this level but is a total toss on dirt

R4 - No bets in this race except for the pick-Xs

Lion By My Side is another big question make for me. 8 of last 10 were tri finishes and now he drops into a low class claimer? Surely he'll be claimed unless he shows up with only 3 legs.

Mitchell Park - from a Mdn win to an prelim Alw win to a bad loss in a G3 to a CL15kN2L after a 100 day layoff? It sure looks like a fire sale but if not, he's a legit contender.

Mandate definitely likes to run but is stepping out of the state bred ranks for the 1st time. Can win if the other two are damaged goods.

R5 - Pathetic group except for Tagg's horse
Will put Dear Marylou on the tic if it comes off the turf

R6 - Interesting race - every horse is an "E" type
Prince Charming - toss last as he wasn't ready for graded stakes company and ya gotta love that win on in the slop.
Sunday Blitz - First race in 6 months but I love his works going into this
Cabaret Cowboy - can handle an off track and along with the blitz has the best late pace gigs.
Mystic Blue (chalk) has the breeding to handle the off track but has yet to prove it

R7 - Hard not to like the chalk, Clay County, can handle the slop and is dropping 2 classes after going 4/1-1-2 against better.

R8 - Rereadthefootnotes - ran pretty good in two stakes races and will find this group much more accommodating.
Miller's Mint - Repeat of either of the last two makes him a legit contender
Wn Thomas - impressive Mdn win and wasn't pushed hard at all.

R9 - Criticism - chlak looks pretty tough in this one after going 6/4-1-1 for Albertrani - all in graded stakes
Colin Verde - won a group1 in Brz on "hvy" turf and will be boxcars at the window if Kairan pulls it off.
Icon Project has a ton of turf breeding and is a Marty Wolfson pupul - that's enough for me to like.
Don't discount Mott's horse - she can run a lick when she wants to.