September 16th, 2012 − Belmont Park

Belmont: September 16, 2012

Pick Six Analysis by Mike Beer | Create Wagers in DRF Ticketmaker

Analysis by Mike Beer

Fifth Race

1. Gustavia 2. High N Far 3. Pleasant Cat
GUSTAVIA was bumped hard at the break and lost 3-4 lengths, but was able to finish gamely to get second behind promising Kitten's Dumplings, who runs in Grade 2 Natalma at Woodbine this weekend; clean trip and natural improvement make her tough. HIGH N FAR took some money in sprint debut but failed to mount any kind of rally behind next out stakes winner Funfair, so it was back to the drawing board; will stretch out here, which is what she is bred for. PLEASANT CAT and MARIEL N KATHY finished a half-length apart on August 19th when behind Broken Spell (missed a neck next out in PG Johnson Stakes) and Always Kitten (broke maiden next out in $100k stakes at Louisiana Downs). Firster CAROLINE THOMAS is one to keep an eye on, as she is out of a dam who was a Grade 1 turf winner, and the female family produced top class turfers Royal Mountain Inn and Miss Josh.

Sixth Race

1. Jennys Creek 2. Yes It's Pink 3. Clever Spirit
JENNYS CREEK was left chasing Kibosh through the turn last out after that one was able to slow down the pace up the backstretch, and it cost her late as she failed to hold on to second. May get a much better trip here from the rail with no other talented speeds in the race. YES IT'S PINK is logical off pair of decent efforts to begin her career; thought she may have taken advantage of JENNYS CREEK a bit last time though, and will be a shorter price once again. CLEVER SPIRIT is in good form heading into this, but has benefitted from strong paces in each of her last three races.

Seventh Race

1. Scat's Lassie 2. Akira 3. Quiet Ending
SCAT'S LASSIE has been burning money since solid debut score at the end of last year, but finally figures to be a price after bombing on dirt, a race that shouldn't be held against her. May finally land a trip this time after having at least plausible excuses in each of her turf tries this year, including the last one when on a three-wide chase after the very fast Margaret Lilian. AKIRA has trouble finding the winners circle, but is consistent and adaptable to different pace scenarios; must use in exotics. QUIET ENDING just missed after late rally behind AKIRA last time; clearly at her best sprinting on turf and is the horse to beat.

Eighth Race

1. Punster 2. War Hoot 3. Free Brave
PUNSTER has been very unlucky not to have won at least one of his last three turf starts, but has gone to dirt at the Finger Lakes off the claim and held his form. Plenty of speed on paper here to set up his run. WAR HOOT drops down again after landing in extraordinarily tough $35k claimer last time, and also benefits form any pace that develops. FREE BRAVE has held good form throughout the summer and is another who can take advantage of the right setup here.

Ninth Race

1. Voodoo Storm 2. Boots Ahead 3. Dynafortwo
VOODOO STORM has been up against it in three straight paceless races since returning to form back on grass earlier this year. Can't possiblty be so unlucky that DYNAFORTWO and STRONG IMPACT don't ensure at least a fair pace, can he? BOOTS AHEAD was easily best on the drop last time, and was a no-brainer claim for $35k; rise to this level shouldn't be an issue. DYNAFORTWO has shown plenty of talent and is an obvious threat if ready off the bench.

Tenth Race

1. Zajal 2. Wagon Train 3. Promised Destiny
ZAJAL drops back down after being outfinished in paceless race last time; blew a clear lead at this level two back, but appears to be in a a position to control here under Ramon. WAGON TRAIN is cut in half after putting in a couple of okay efforts starting out; logical spot if he can continue coming forward. PROMISED DESTINY improved with the switch to grass last time, which his pedigree suggests he should have, and now adds blinkers from an inside post with a rider who can be aggressive at times, which may not be a bad idea here.