Let the Belmont Weekend Begin

A great Friday of racing awaits us.  Today we look at a terrific tune-up for what will turn out to be the biggest race of the year, the Belmont Stakes on Saturday, June 9th.  Our tune up will be a race of the same distance as that of the Belmont Stakes, 1 1/2 miles.

Belmont Park Race 10 {Brooklyn~G2~1 1/2 mile~3 year old Up~Stakes}
A highly talented field of twelve will make a go of it at this classic distance.  There will be many nuances to watch in this race looking forward to the Belmont, tomorrow.  Only three horses in the field have competed at this distance, the rest will be stretching out.  A plethora of speed and forwardly placed runners will dictate the pace.  It should be interesting if those coming from off the pace can capitalize on this.

#5 Birdrun (Maragh / Mott) is the defending champ and should be ready for the repeat.  He has a couple of o.k. last out speed numbers, a two race progression, and three speed laden, peaking workouts.  This guy has two wins in two starts at this distance and loves the Belmont track.  He will be part of the front runners.
$1 WIN / $1 SHOW.

#10 Redeemed (Dominguez / R. Dutrow) will challenge motoring near the front end with the third highest (tie) last out speed number, a two race progression, and four robust, peaking workouts.  He is pace versatile.
$1 PLACE / $1 SHOW.

#4 Eye On Jacob (J. Velazquez / Pletcher) will also be a contender with the second highest last out speed number and three superb workouts.  He should be forwardly placed ready to swoop down on the leaders in the stretch.
$1 SHOW.

Another Wagering Interest

#7 Golden Gulch (Lezcano / Kenneally) could be the big surprise sharing the third highest last out speed number and putting in two stout workouts.  He is another that loves the Belmont track and will use it to his advantage.  He should be close to the pace.

10 CENT Superfecta

#5 Birdrun / #10 Redeemed / #4 Eye On Jacob / #7 Golden Gulch.



Thurday's Results
Betfair Hollywood Park R5.  Optional Claiming.  Our first pick, Red Defense, won (1st) for show money of $3.00.  Our second pick, My Summer Slew, finished 6th.
Superfecta went 8-5-9-7.
Bankroll gets a shave to $5.32.