Notes on the Belmont Day Program

By Jude T. Feld

This is always one of my favorite racing days of the year – Triple Crown or not. This year’s card is absolutely fantastic and hopefully every horseplayer can rekindle their love of the game this afternoon.

6TH RACE) The True North (G2) kicks off the Belmont Day stakes action. FABULOUS STRIKE returns to his favorite distance after two solid seconds at seven furlongs. Drawing outside will give jockey Ramon Dominguez the option to “sit” or “send” and that is a tremendous advantage in this small but select field.

7TH RACE) Champion FOREVER TOGETHER was flattered when Rutherienne came back to win the Nassau (G2) at Woodbine last week, after beating that rival in Keeneland’s Jenny Wiley (G2). The 2008 Breeders’ Cup Filly and Mare Turf (G1) winner is The Queen until proven otherwise. New face, CAPTAIN’S LOVER, a Grade 1 winner in South Africa and a Grade 3 winner in France, could spoil the favorite’s party with slight improvement and a good trip. MY PRINCESS JESS ran a corker in her comeback at Belmont Park and it wouldn’t be shocking to see the famous blue, green and white Lael Stable silks in the winners’ circle after the Just a Game (G1) if she repeats that effort.

8TH RACE) The sharp guys all love EVERYDAY HEROES after his awesome Hirsch Jacobs (G3) victory on Preakness Day. The Darley colorbearer’s biggest obstacle in the Woody Stephens (G2) might come from Godolphin’s REGAL RANSOM. The speedy son of Distorted Humor seems to have rebounded since the Kentucky Derby (G1) and there is no doubt about his ability. Highly regarded MUNNINGS ran well in his 2009 debut but came up a tad short. His recent works indicate that he retains his sharpness. HULL won the Derby Trial (G3) and has never tasted defeat. Ignore the Dale Romans trainee at your own peril.

9TH RACE) JUSTWHISTLEDIXIE has been on a roll, although she was scratched out of the Kentucky Oaks (G1) with a foot injury. She has comeback to work well and has run well fresh in the past, so her usual excellent performance can be expected. Stablemate DREAM PLAY is her scariest foe, exiting an easy victory in the Comely (G2) at Aqueduct. Trainer Kiaran McLaughlin holds “pocket aces” in the Acorn (G1).

11TH RACE) How can you not root for a “Calvin Crown”? MINE THAT BIRD validated his impressive Kentucky Derby (G1) win with a sharp second in the Preakness (G1). Jockey Calvin Borel has guaranteed a Belmont (G1) victory and as he has said, “I’m not very smart, but I know horses.” BRAVE VICTORY hails from the barn of the new “Giant Killer” Nick Zito and is rounding to form. He is the upset special. Some top handicappers fancy CHARITABLE MAN with his excellent tactical speed and distance pedigree. DUNKIRK lacks seasoning but makes up for it with ability. He could easily be part of the exotics. FLYING PRIVATE always tries hard and ran his best-ever race in the Preakness (G1). If the track is fast, he is a legitimate superfecta contender.

This entry was posted on Thursday, June 4th, 2009 at 2:01 pm and is filed under Selections. Responses are currently closed, but you can trackback from your own site.