/ QUALITY HEY – Easily second best behind odds-on winner despite traffic woes; draws inside and fired on turf once.
/ ONEMORESATURDAYNITE – Changed hands and figures close if disregard last; blinkers on and turf might help.
/ GIDDY – Encouraging try at Monmouth after long absence; far behind as favorite in grass bow last summer.
/ KRISTA’S PERSONA – Set pace this far in longer test at Belmont following hiatus; speedy threat for new trainer.
Race 7
/ BILLYGETS ARRESTED – Wired excellent field of sprinters when appearing like old self again; shown route prowess.
/ MAYBE TONIGHT – Roughed early in stake and prior defeat after layoff; classy mare might regain finishing kick.
/ PERSUASIVE GIRL – Improving filly closed strongly in “open” company and could benefit from contested pace.
/ MISS HOLICONG – Just missed this spot and fired each local attempt going short and long; serious contender.
Race 8
/ LOUISVILLE BOUND – Repelled several challenges before yielding to stretch-runner; making progress recent starts.
/ TALK SHOW TALENT – Speedy but failed at short odds again and bottom part of exacta every local attempt.
/ LIMESTONE COWBOY – Made up ample ground at Penn National and fits nicely but limited local success.
/ POLISHED DEGREE – Plunges after coming up empty again and could revert to rating tactics; can’t dismiss yet.
Race 9
/ WELLINGTONS APPEAL – Wired solid field in Gulfstream finale and impressed locally in past; turf sprint specialist.
/ BURN CONTROL – Determined and consistent and less than four lengths behind in Saratoga turf stake; dangerous.
/ PADDLE BOARD – Suffered first turf defeat when unruly at gate in return; barn won three grass races last weekend.
/ FAT KAT – Dueled to late yards before yielding to stretch-runners on dirt; excuse in lone turf attempt and inside speed.
Race 10 THE $75,000 JOSTLE STAKES
/ DISCREET SENORITA – Developing nicely with three straight victories achieved with stalking trips; home advantage.
/ WARRIORSCMOUTOPLAY – Competed at major meets and upset older rivals at Churchill; ships from Chicago.
/ TRUTH IN THE LIES – Proving bargain claim and crushed capable allowance types over track; major upset in Md.
/ LINDISFARNE – Forced pace then bothered retreating in Aqueduct stake; captured first two East Coast attempts.
Race 11
/ FEISTY – Easily second best in latest and humbled by huge favorite when offering middle move in prior setback.
/ RISQUE’S VENOM – Good form since return but professional maiden with seconditis; Mosco barn on a roll.
/ HIGHLAND DANCER – Moves turf to dirt with flashes of interest at Tampa; tricky post and had 17 chances.
/ OOHLALA – Slow fuse and soundly outrun by top selection; progress made since switching to Dandy barn.
Race 11 BELMONT PARK- THE $1,500,000 BELMONT STAKES
/ FROSTED – Improving son of terrific sire Tapit responding well to rating tactics; extremely wide advance in Derby.
/ AMERICAN PHAROAH – Attempts to become first Triple Crown winner in 37 years; huge talent but 1-2 hard to take.
/ MUBTAAHIJ – Derby was initial try in this country after capturing four of previous five starts; progress anticipated.
/ MATERIALITY – Suffered first loss when compromised by slow start in Derby; should ensure reasonable fractions.
SATURDAY, JUNE 6, 2015-- BELMONT STAKES SELECTIONS
Best Bets: BLUEGRASS CHAT (4th)-- BILLYGETS ARRESTED (7th)
Race 1
/ BUDDY’S SMART – Steps up in claiming tag but down in class following claim; pair from last race won next time.
/ STRONG SHAFT – Bit erratic but exits confidence booster crushing two-time winners; often forms portion of exacta.
e / CYTHEREAN – Moves turf to dirt with significant plunge for high percentage barn but last local try discouraging.
/ SOLLY’S MISCHIEF – Rough trip in seemingly better version of this spot and switches to journeyman pilot/
Race 2
/ BROTHER RALPHIE – Used up dueling favorite in finish dominated by stretch-runners; key third start since layoff.
/ BOBBY C – Eventful trip when changing hands in April and prior attempt very strong; threat in competitive field.
/ ORATION – Weakened after chasing eventual winner for higher tag and faced classier in past; but only one for 12.
/ FIRST DIBS – Humbled by smashing winner in Jersey and closed huge gap locally when altering running style.
Race 3
/ GEORGIA GOLD – Signs of talent at top maiden level last season and realistic drop; Lynch barn good with absentees.
/ JESSIE’S GIRLFRIEND – Another taking plunges into claimer while holding fitness edge over top one; upset threat.
/ CURRY IN THE HURRY – By capable sire El Corredor which now stands in Turkey; few clues offered in works.
/ LITLMISSMARTYPANTS – Newcomer from Ramon Preciado barn by Smarty Jones; proving excellent grass sire.
Race 4
/ BLUEGRASS CHAT – Dominated opponents from break when Pino re-claimed soon as possible; seems well-placed.
/ DAN’S GOLD – Assumed advantage when pacesetter broke down in last; bargain claim with strong local form.
/ LAYERS – Nice effort behind second choice after reunited with Dotolo stable; nearing $400,000 career earnings.
/ NOW WE’RE TALKIN – Trounced first-tier state-bred allowance types but very erratic in four outings this year.
Race 5
/ CHARLI SUNSHINE – Amazingly game and versatile mare won this spot decisively when claimed by hot Serey barn.
/ CLEAN JEAN – Lightly raced but terrific 17 for 44 lifetime and exits local victory; high percentage stable.
/ RESENTMENT – Retreated against even tougher group after setting open fractions; formidable on best.
/ MORETHANVICTORIOUS – Significant drop and has surprised here in past; possibility but likely prefers sprint.
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