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Sat May 13th, 2023 |
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Stakes Spotlight
Belmont Park Race 5
Post Time 2:07 PM CST
The Appleby tour de force could continue with #2 WARREN POINT a runner that is tough to knock on his own merits and with intent showing up with a local work coming into this race though will be class tested here and this race comes up competitive. #5 HOWE STREET had a look stepping up into graded stakes company last month at Keeneland, though lacked value by post time bet down to the favorite from the 10-1 morning line -- and created value on others in the field. As far as trip, he was WARM and raced uncovered stalking the pace lacking the necessary kick late finishing behind rivals, #4 VERSAPPEN and #1 RED KNIGHT. The connections wheel back with Howe Street for this race and retain Prat, while making a subtle change with the blinker removal and would also look at his appearance, keeping composure on the track.
In addition to Red Knight, the Elkhorn (G2) place finisher, Maker also sent out #8 VALUE ENGINEERING, the shorter of the two and the second choice in the wagering. There was not much excuse (or value) on Value Engineering in that spot though should shift in this race and see intent returning to the Belmont Park turf course, one he has shown a fondness for.
#6 SOLDIER RISING is upgraded from the Red Smith (G2) last fall when compromised against the bias and race flow as he makes his seasonal debut. Prior to that event, Soldier Rising had been competitive on this circuit and G1 level, pairing up B- OptixGRADE and solid OptixFIG in both the Sword Dancer (G1) and Turf Classic (G1) with subtle trips playing a role in the finishing positions.
Belmont Park Race 6 - PLAY OF THE DAY
Post Time 2:40 PM CST
The Peter Pan (G3) comes up a competitive race with many ways to land and reasons to look for alternative and reason to side against #9 BISHOP'S BAY, the projected favorite. He earned a strong figure breaking his maiden on debut, though did it under a favorable ride and softer pace. To the credit of Bishop's Bay he did hold off his stablemate First Mission (part of the reason he will get attention here) though did so while drifting (NO_LINE) out late. He regressed figure wise (OptixFIG 99 on debut, 89 on 3/19) while sitting another favorable, PERFECT trip and benefit from a Very Slow (VS RS 1 &2) pace both early and late, all out to hold off his stablemate with those two together at the wire. From a Plot standpoint he finds a positional change for this race moving from a Quad I Square in the March allowance to a Quad III Square today, another clear change he is in against much tougher company this afternoon.