Beer: How I'll play Belmont Park on Saturday, June 25
Let's take a look at Saturday's late pick four, which covers races 7 through 10.
Race 7: Captain Moss looks tough in the opening leg as the favorite, as he has run two races in a row that are better than anything his rivals have been able to come up with to this point. I suppose the distance could be his undoing, and he didn't draw particularly well on the outside, but he has the kind of speed that should allow him to overcome that obstacle. Yowl is well drawn and in good form and will be the main backup.
Race 8: The second leg features another strong favorite in Realm, who was last seen finishing a solid second to the talented Gift Box while earning a career-best 90 Beyer Speed Figure. He is difficult to be strongly against in this spot, even as he takes on some added distance. Sea Raven and Lost Iron have no such distance questions to answer and are backups.
Race 9: The Bed O' Roses goes through last year's Breeders’ Cup Filly and Mare Sprint winner, Wavell Avenue, though she will be looking to bounce back from a flat performance in her most recent start. Since the first two legs of the sequence feature short prices on the main ticket, I'll try to beat Wavell Avenue with By the Moon, who remains underrated for an excellent trainer, and West Coast Chick, who is back in form as the main speed in the field.
Race 10: Southern Union exits a solid try when cut back to this distance last time behind a heavily favored, class-dropping winner. This is a better spot, though he has drawn a tough post out wide. I will concentrate on him in the finale, along with Brett the Jet, who figures to appreciate the class relief he gets here, and Majority, turning back after ripping off a fast pace going longer last time. Freedom Seven and The Undersheriff are both facing maiden claimers on turf for the first time, which will get them included as backups.