Beer: How I'd play Belmont Park on Sunday, Oct. 25
Race 6
The late pick four kicks off with maidens sprinting on the main track. #7 Awesome Dame and #8 Shayna Lady are the two favorites on the morning line and are expected to take some beating in this spot. The former has run well twice while settling for second both times, most recently behind the Breeders' Cup-bound Rachel's Valentina. The 74 Beyer Speed Figure she earned for that effort tops this field, but Shayna Lady came through with a highly promising debut of her own behind another filly heading to Keeneland next weekend in Tap to It, and she is going to appreciate turning back out of a one-turn-mile try last time. The best alternative is #4 Truly Bound, who went back to the drawing board after flashing good speed in her debut more than four months ago. She returns with blinkers on for a trainer who excels with second-time-starting maidens in dirt sprints. Over the past five years, the barn is 25 for 80 (31 percent), with a $2.21 ROI, according to DRF Formulator.
Race 7
The $100,000 English Channel, for 3-year-olds on turf, has pulled a solid field of nine. #9 A Lot is the horse to beat but is hardly a standout in this field. #2 Vision Perfect picked up his game over soft turf that he appreciates in a tougher spot last time, but he has always shaped with ability and is a viable alternative. #5 High Noon Rider failed to fire at Churchill last time, but he received a heads-up ride and easily defeated A Lot two starts back at Saratoga. He is a good fit in this field and figures to be an interesting price once again.
Race 8
This entry-level allowance for New York-breds goes straight through #1 Style Drift. She is an odds-on favorite on the morning line for a streaking trainer, and alternatives are difficult to come by.
Race 9
#11 Madison Blues has dangerous speed and might be sitting on a win in the finale. #5 Broken Border is a difficult read, but she is capable of a race that would give her a chance, as evidenced by her narrow miss two starts back behind the aforementioned Style Drift. #8 Adirondack Luck endured a wide trip after getting caught up in some early traffic on her debut way back in May. That race has not proven to be particularly productive, but she showed enough to be included as she makes her first start back from the layoff.