Belmont Stakes Day 2015

The "Test of a Champion" takes place today in this year's 147th running of the Belmont Stakes.

Belmont Park Race 11 {Belmont Stakes~G1~1 1/2 mile~3 year-old~Graded Stakes}

A field of eight will make the start in the third leg of the Triple Crown. American Pharoah seeks to make history as the first Triple Crown winner since Affirmed in 1978. He should be the speed of the race with a couple of others close in tow. The rest will be either tracking or closing valiantly. Only three have charted triple digit Beyer speed figs, the rest are still improving. It should be a smashing race. Post time is expected to be 6:50 pm Eastern time.

#5 American Pharoah (Espinoza / Baffert) may get the job done and place his name in the history books for eternity. He holds the highest last out speed number with his win in the Preakness and has put in two rugged workouts. He is up against it though with six wins in a row against mighty competition. This son of Pioneer of the Nile has notched three of those victories over a dirt surface from three efforts. He will need to control the pace up front and have enough in the tank to fend off those coming from off the pace. This lad has the best shot of any in recent member to capture the crown.
$1 WIN.

#3 Madefromlucky (Castellano / Pletcher) has the best potential to be the upsetter with the third highest (tie) last out speed number, an amazing seven race progression, and two serious peaking workouts. This son of Preakness winner, Lookin at Lucky, should be tracking the pace ready to enter the fray. he is the only horse in the field with a victory over the Belmont track. A powerful jockey-trainer combination could bring this guy home with flourish.
$1 PLACE  /  $2 SHOW.

#1 Mubtaahij [IRE] (I. Ortiz / de Kock) is the other in the race with strong upset possibility. There is a reason world class trainer, Michael de Kock chose Belmont's leading rider, Irad Ortiz. It gives this lad the best chance to win. Despite taking a disappointing eight place in the Kentucky Derby, this guy has trained magnificently over the Belmont track with six superb workouts. This "Cheery" son of Dubawi [IRE] will be tracking the pace ready to explode into the stretch.
$2 SHOW.

Other Wagering Interests

#6 Frosted (Rosario / McLaughlin) has the tactical speed to stay close with the leaders and make a move in the sweeping Belmont turn. He holds the second highest last out speed number and has put in three solid peaking workouts. This son of Tapit is the only other horse in the field that has race at Belmont with in the money success. He holds a 75% overall in the money record from eight starts.

#8 Materiality (J. Velazquez / Pletcher) should contend gallantly sharing the third highest last out speed number and putting in three strong peaking workouts. This son of Preakness and Belmont Stakes winner, Afleet Alex, has a decent shot at the upset. He holds the highest speed number over the dirt. This guy should be motoring on the front end with the Pharoah.

#7 Keen Ice (Desormeaux / Romans) has the best capability of getting the distance. With the fourth highest last out speed number, a two race progression, and four exceptional peaking workouts he will be a major player in the race. This son of Preakness winner, Curlin, will be firing late and swoop swiftly into a hot pace.

10 CENT SUPERFECTA
We will deploy the Lambrakis method for our 10 CENT Superfecta play. H/T to Southern California handicapper Paul Lambrakis whose monograph, The 10 CENT Superfecta Betting Guide, should be in every serious handicappers courier bag. Our cost will be $2.40.

#5 American Pharoah, #3 Madefromlucky  /  #5, #3, #1 Mubtaahij [IRE]  /  #5, #3, #1, #6 Frosted  /  #5, #3, #1, #6, #8 Materiality, #7 Keen Ice.



Furlong Friday Results
Belmont Park R8.  True North--G2.  Our first pick, Dads Caps, finished 3rd for show money of $2.80.  Our second pick, Eastwood, finished 4th.
Superfecta went 8-2-5-6.
Bankroll gets shaved to $18.93.

Thursday Belmont Turf

To begin our horse racing weekend we go to the Belmont Turf.

Belmont Park Race 8 {6 furlongs~inner TURF~3 year old Up~Optional Claiming}
A solid group of nine will take to the grass in this feature race.  Plenty of speed in here will keep the pace swift.  The field as a whole is of equal talent.  It should be a good race.

#7 Partly Mocha (Maragh / Weaver) is coming off a lengthy layoff, but has done well in previous layoffs.  Prior to the layoff his last out speed number stacks up as the second highest (tie).  He was working a two race progression and has put in four sturdy workouts in prepping for his first start of this year.  He should be able to track and close into fierce pace.
$1 WIN / $1 SHOW.

#3 Precious Metal (I. Ortiz / Contessa) should challenge vigorously with the third highest last out speed number at a longer sprint, a two race progression, and one superb workout.  This guy is another that will close nicely into a strong pace.
$1 SHOW.

#5 Ziptronic (Saez / Contessa) could contend sharing the second highest last out speed number, a three race progression, and two solid workouts.  He should fire fresh coming off a brief rest.  He has the versatile running style which he can utilize as the pace develops.
$1 SHOW.

Other Wagering Interests

#1 Rockin Boogie (J. Ortiz / Levine) could be in the hunt with the highest last out speed number, a two race progression, and two hearty workouts.  He should be part of the front running group readying to get first jump into the stretch.

#8 Deterrent (Castellano / Hennig) should be in the mix with the fourth highest last out speed number, a two race progression, and three steady workouts.  He should be forwardly placed looking for an opening heading home.

10 CENT Superfecta

#7 Partly Mocha / #3 Precious Metal / #5 Ziptronic / #1 Rockin Bridge, #8 Deterrent.



Last Superfecta Sunday (6/2) Results
Betfair Hollywood Park R8.  Affirmed--G3.  Our 10 CENT Superfecta box play yielded three of the top four finishers.  Superfecta went 6-5-8-7.
Our Bronze Horseshoe runner, Broadway Empire, finished 6th.
Bankroll plummets to $23.15.

Superfecta Sunday at Hollywood, episode 3

We venture to Hollywood Park for a thrilling route on this Superfecta Sunday.

Betfair Hollywood Park Race 8 {Affirmed~G3~1 1/16 mile~3 year old~Stakes}
A great group of eight will jog over to the gate in this graded stakes race.  Five in here were nominated to the Triple Crown, but all galloped off the trail for various reasons.  The entire field is composed of talented horses.  There is enough speed in here to set up for those coming from off the pace, but if controlled the forwardly placed might have an edge.  It is difficult to gauge.  Let's try to fashion a winning 10 CENT Superfecta box ticket.

#8 Manando (M. Garcia / Baffert) should be the speedy favorite with the highest last out speed number, a three race progression, and three fine peaking workouts.  He holds the highest speed number at this distance and it 100% in the money at it in three attempts.  Will be the one to beat.

#1 Broadway Empire (V. Espinoza / Diodoro) should challenge with a sneaky pressing attack.  He holds the second highest last out speed number, a two race progression, and two stout workouts.  This fella has not been off the board in two career starts.  He is our Bronze Horseshoe runner.
$2 SHOW.

#5 Den's Legacy (Gomez / Baffert) will take advantage of a fierce pace with the third highest speed number at the distance.  He is coming off a longer route which earned him an o.k. speed number coupled with four superb workouts.  This guy will be firing fresh after a brief layoff.

#7 Dice Flavor (Smith / Gallagher) is coming off a failed effort in the UAE Derby in Dubai.  He holds the third highest speed number over synthetic and has put in four furious workouts.  This lad appears ready after a short layoff.  Expect him to track the pace and jump into the fray in the stretch.

10 CENTSuperfecta box ($2.40)

#8 Manando  +  #1 Broadway Empire  +  #5 Den's Legacy  +  #7 Dice Flavor.



Stakes Saturday Results
Betfair Hollywood Park R8.  Californian--G2.  Our first pick, Blueskiesnrainbows, did miserably, finishing 7th (last).  Our second pick, Liaison, took 2nd for place money of $2.80 and show money of $2.20.  Our third pick, Kettle Corn, finished 4th.
Superfecta went 1-5-6-3.
Bankroll gets kicked hard falling to $27.55.