Belmont
race 2:
1a UNBRIDLED OCEAN is a sneaky option. On one hand he could be a 9yo thats seen his better days and couldn't pass a horse in his last race. The other is this is the drop needed to be highly competitive, and his two races this year were against much tougher. I didnt think he was asked for much under Montanez, and maybe it was used as a prep for this. Watch to see if front bandages stay on, as they were applied first time ever in last start. Just seems like a move for the money outa Jacobson.
9 KING OF NEW YORK has appeal. Taken off lowest claim of career in last, and Asmussen must think turf is whats best. Irad taking the ride makes me think this one is live, and if he can translate properly, could be a nice price.
10 INDEBTED is a questionable favorite, but presence of Manny, his ml respect, and Handal seeming to be well meant in this race makes him tough to ignore. Cut corner in last and couldn't outfinish rivals. Has been facing tougher, and cannot leave off sequence.
3 BIRCHWOOD ROAD looks to need a career effort to beat this group, but his angle to me is that he is the "now" horse, and Javy takes the ride. Probably gonna pass unless the pools stick out.
4 DREAM MAN expecting an improved effort today, and he should have a better kick down the stretch with four works in April indicating good fitness. Cutback in distance and a less speed favoring track should both be positives as well. Jose takes the ride and horse loves the Belmont turf.
INDEBTED looks to have the tactical advantage with little early speed signed on. UNBRIDLED OCEAN is my favorite option, and hopefully he can sit close enough to get first run.
1a-10-9-4
win/place: 1a
ex box: 1a,10
backup ex wheel: 9/1a,10
race 3:
1 GLASS HOUSE is a promising talent that hasn't run horrible, but clearly has underachieved for the turf sprint specialist Wesley Ward. Maybe an improve is coming. Closer in a race without much speed and course that usually plays to speed.
1a LADY ALEXANDRA is probably the more talented of the entries and Javy/Chad combo is lethal. She should show some more early speed and not be too far off the pace off the few month layoff. Eligible to improve, and looks to be training great. Easy winner?
9 DELTALINA has a right to improve first start as a 4yo. He did when coming first off the break when 3. Speed ball should have it his way and if good enough will be very tough to run down.
6 HEAVENLY SCORE is the first turfer that I would want. She has four starts over the Aqueduct inner since Dec including finishing behind impressive next out winner Bluegrass Flag. Terranova a capable trainer and there is totally the possibility that this is the surface she wanted all along. If the horse can improve and take to the turf she could be the winner.
I'd like to take a shot against the sure to be odds on favorite coupled entry. DELTALINA looks like the only speed ball in here and the inner has been playing to speed thus far. Turf should be firm, and she improved 15 beyer points the last time she came off a layoff. Both Belmont races have been her best performances, and I think if she breaks well and improves in the slightest, she is long gone. My price play and horse I will be watching the pools and trying to get more info on is HEAVENLY SCORE.
9-6-1a/1-2
win: 9
exacta: 9/1a,2,3,6
small backup exacta: 6/1a,9
GL to all!