Belmont: Closer Looks for June 5, 2014

Race 2

Legally Bay

She's had her chances to show us what she can do, including a couple of starts over turf, and it's difficult to give her a favorable push in this spot based on what she's shown so far; the drop in class doesn't hurt, but looking toward others.

Under Scrutiny

She showed a little something racing over turf as a 2-year-old and this will be the first time that she's faced maiden claiming competition over turf; winner from latest returned to win next out here on 5/8 going 1 1/16m vs. N1X rivals with a 72 Beyer.

Bi Light of Day

She can benefit from dropping in with maiden claiming competition for the first time, and this filly is out of a multiple stakes winning dam who won 6 of 24 turf starts for 301k; not going to be at all surprised if she gives a good account of herself against these.

Fast Z

Limited available data on sire with regard to his first-time and turf starters, and he won 2 of 21 starts for 58k, including 0-for-2 over turf, during his racing career, and dam was unraced; 1 1/16m is a demanding assignment for a firster.

Samuels Blond Lady

Lightly raced 5-year-old does have a quality turf start on her card to look at and she's a 1/2 to stakes winner Bestowed (8-23, 250k over turf); she's another in here who figures to appreciate moving in with maiden claimers.

Nanoon

Sire has won with 3 of 21 (14%) of his first-time starters, and with 2 of 14 (14%) of his turf starters, and dam was winless from 13 starts, including seven turf starts; this filly is a 1/2 to Front (5-10, 232k over turf).

Bay Dawn

She's out of a stakes winning dam who won 7 of 37 turf starts for 349k, but it would have been nice to have seen her show more in her turf debut in her latest outing; obviously she's going to need to produce a much improved performance in order to contend.

Race and Shine

She didn't run poorly over turf in her second career start, her only turf route attempt, and this has to be considered a decent spot for her to get back over turf; she's an interesting option to consider while making her first start back from a layoff and a couple of her recent workouts look good.

Rockaway

Sire wins with approximately 8% of his turf starters, and he's 0-for-36 with starters trying turf for the first time, and dam was unraced; Ortiz has won with 20 of 68 (30%) mounts for this barn in 2014.

Lucky Vida

Lightly raced 5-year-old is making her first start in nearly a year and she has every right to need a race; runner up from latest won next out here on 6/30 going 1 1/16m over turf vs. 20k MCL's with a 61 Beyer.

Sweetest Peach

She needs to see a scratch from the main body of this race in order to draw in, and this is a mare who has yet to post a top-three finish from 15 starts, and that includes nine turf starts.

Chichita

She hasn't made much of an impression in her first two starts after going to post at long odds and she's going to need to step up her game in a hurry in order to threaten the top contenders in here.

Unafraid

Sire wins with approximately 9% of his turf starters and this is the first foal from a dam who was winless from nine starts, including three turf starts; she's going to need an improved run in her turf debut in order to have a say in the outcome. - Brian Pochman

Race 3

B Shanny

On the shelf since a very tough beat when losing a blanket finish over the inner dirt; consistent performer has run well following freshenings in the past and now drops below the purchase price; re-unites with Velasquez who should have him within range.

Half Nelson

Useful effort a month ago when challenged from the opening bell; got away unpressured in the victory 2 back under this rider but there appears way too much early speed in this contest to suit him; latest training track breeze was a distinct improvement.

Ground Force

Closed with a late burst at Monmouth under that meet's leading rider; veteran sprinter should be held in reserve in the early stages here as there is a ton of speed on view; can repeat at a healthy price because of the numerical rise; warrants some play if that is the case.

The Rhythmisright

Set way too fast a pace last time and that was the primary reason he was caught in the final yards; that was his first outing over the Belmont soil and he can upgrade here with that sharp workout on 5/30 in his corner; sophomore may be able to defeat his older rivals this afternoon.

Carolinian

Very fine gate speed for this gelding who could make the point today if a wet track is the case at post time; has no known rating gear though and may have to be hard used in order to clear inside foes; broke maiden, under this rider, via the second start back angle last season.

Dan's Gold

Makes a major leap today, percentage-wise, and did not show his true colors last month when a dead send from the rail; needs to recapture the stalking position he achieved in the score 2 races back; yet to win at this oval, he will need to run a personal best in order to be in the hunt today.

Head Heart Hoof

Warhorse goes for his 19th career victory but likes to control the pace and that will be a difficult goal to achieve today because of the unusual pace nature of the field (and this outside slot); wheels back quickly following a fair pacesetting try at this level; completes one of the more challenging sprint races of the meet. - Jim Kachulis

Race 4

Pari Nath

The rider from last sides with Benny's Bullet for this; today is her shortest distance test since her 5-back distant-show finish for a lower-price tag; main knock is that Cajun Wedding easily handled her 3 back sprinting; the 2-back runner-up finisher posted a 58 Beyer speed figure in her next-out BEL-40K- maiden-claiming win; ranked a notch below the top contenders.

Dakota's Pick

Blinkers on is an 0-for-9 move from her trainer since 2013; hopes to outbreak Benny's Bullet and a few others then get brave on the front end; the 2-back winner repeated in an AQU-16K claimer with a 49 Beyer; steps up in price following defeats which is not a good-win angle.

Benny's Bullet

Projects to be a major player from bell to finish as she drops to lowest-price tag ever for this; owns the numbers' edge exiting a best-last-race Beyer while her 2nd career start is the field's best Beyer; 3-back winner repeated in a GP-optional claimer with an 82 Beyer; in her only dirt start she finished 2nd behind a debut winner who finished 3rd in a 95K stakes next out (71 Beyer) then made it 3-for-4 winning 2 AQU-optional claimers (77-70;); the pick.

Cajun Wedding

Mixed reviews in 2 races off the claim purchased 7 weeks ago; latest was her 2nd best Beyer and displayed improvement when racing on the lead; Benny's Bullet projects to own better gate speed so she hopes to rate just off the pacesetters then make one run; hard to leave out.

Discreet Malena

Blinkers on is an 0-for-8 move from the trainer since 2013; the 2-back runner-up finisher Beyered 75 in a next-out MSW win then repeated vs. allowance company posting another 75; she does not have the winning credentials for this beating 3 runners combined in 3 losses while stepping up in price off a loss.

Gallant Lady

The rider leaves for Benny's Bullet as she exits a career-best Beyer when racing well despite breaking from the widest draw in a ground-losing trip; her lone exacta finish was around 2 turns and seems best suited for route racing down the road.

Mini Muffin

For the 1st time in career will race without blinkers trying to shake up the form; the good news is her best Beyer and lone-show finish was in a BEL-dirt 6F event; the 2-back winner repeated with a 53 Beyer then made it 3 in a row in an AQU-16K claimer with a 61; new rider is the 7th different jockey in as many races which is not a good-win angle.

Nurse Stone

High-percentage fresh trainer saw a huge wakeup in last for the rider who stays right here; takes a class leap off the state-bred near-miss where she was the best that day checking after the break then edged in the win photo; is the one to beat.

Hot On Ice

1st Lasix after flashing gate speed; deserves an excuse for last when bumped at the break while hanging on well in her debut; a good sign that she removed the front wraps for last; has worked well since latest and is another who hopes to outbreak Benny's Bullet then keep on going. - Art Gropper

Race 6

Dowse's Beach

First part of the entry makes his first start of the year for a barn that excels with its turfers; gray ran well over the course last fall and he runs into a moderate looking bunch of older foes in this spot; he needed one race to get going when unveiled here so maybe he'll be better next time, but he still looms a big threat first time back.

Slew's Brew

Earned a nice number on the front end when sent off at a big price in his first turf try across town and then got rained off the footing in his local return; colt will have to work harder for the top in here, but the number he earned on green was the best of this bunch and that alone warrants him serious consideration.

Harbor King

Didn't do much on the green in his 4 tries over it on the circuit last year and he wasn't much of a match for the top 2 in the off the turfer last month; barn and pilot have each won just one race this year and there's not much to suggest this guy will have enough to change that here; have to look elsewhere.

Dreamin of Betty

Shipped up from Florida to make his first start with statebreds across town and took all the money before failing to fire from a wide spot; now they'll give him shades and the services of a sharp pilot who is looking to complete the dream this weekend; should offer a little more value today, but regardless, he's a contender.

Whyalwaysme

Adds shades for his turf debut following another weak effort, this time over a wet track; gelding has been working well of late so the new equipment probably appeals to him, but his barn doesn't do well with freshened runners or those trying the green for the first time; sire is 0 for 21 with his initial turfers and the dam never tried the footing before dropping a surface winner from 2 other foals to try the stuff; a top pilot does take interest and he does well for this barn.

Shimba

Newcomer is by a sire who gets 14% debut winners overall and 11% winners from his first time surface runners; unraced dam's 4 foals to race are winners including 2 who won on the green; most successful sib is multiple SW sprinter and 458K earner Law Enforcement; 320K yearling buy is the second part of the Clement coupling and he lures a top pilot so have to think he'll be ready to roll if they keep him in here.

Fidelius

Didn't offer much first out in the slop and now they'll move him to the green; sire gets 10% winners from his initial turf starters and the dam was a 2 time sprint winner who lost all 7 starts on the green prior to dropping this guy; barn's recent numbers with initial turf starters aren't great, but they do well with those who have had a race.

Sequestrate

Barn doesn't do so well with its newcomers or those trying the lawn for the first time and this guy's worktab doesn't look to offer many clues; sire is 3 for 21 with debut runners and 1 for 9 with first time turfers; dam was 0 for 11 on the track on 0 for 1 on turf prior to dropping 2 surface winners, one of whom won first time on the footing.

Crescent Street

Showed solid early foot when stretched out in the off the turfer last time but tired and was beaten home by several of these; gelding goes for a barn that is profitable with its initial turf starters and his sire gets a terrific 27% winners from that same type; SW dam never tried the green and her foals are a combined 0 for 7 over the stuff.

Lyrical Miracle

He's another who showed some lick on the main track last time and maybe he'll go better second time with Lasix in his turf debut; gelding is the first foal to race out of a dam who was 0 for 1 on dirt and never tried the lawn; sire is 0 for 3 with his first time turf runners.

A Marked Man

Didn't have enough to offer late in his turf debut across town but he wasn't beaten much and subsequently ran ok for second money in the off the turfer here a few weeks back; like the move he made to the leader in that one and his SP dam was a turf winner so have to think he'll take a forward second time on the footing; moves towards the outside but figures a dangerous foe today.

Casa Cavallo

Outside drawn gelding ran poorly in his surface debut last fall and neither of his subsequent dirt starts was much; gelding is kin to a limited surface winner but he's shown no speed and that's not going to help him much from this starting slot; looms a big price today.

Coviello

AE has hit the board in each of his 3 starts and now he'll try the lawn; barn does well with its runners second off the break and the dam won twice on the green before dropping this guy's lone sib who was 0 for 1 over the footing; tough post, but he can get in the mix if he draws in.

Stardom

AE was also third in each of his starts including one that came sprinting over the local sod; he had early trouble as the beaten chalk in that one and he did return to work well for a barn that boasts excellent numbers with its stretchouts; would give him the nod if he were to find a way to get in.

Raffies Bay

AE has had a handful of spaced chances on the green and now he'll make his second start of the year in this spot; don't know that he's going to draw in but he does figure to be better with his last behind him and he does pack a kick that could benefit if things get hot up top.

Bluegrass Flash

MTO comes from a family of turf and route winners led by G1 SW turfer and 815K earner Discreet Marq and he was pretty good when holding second as the chalk over a wet racetrack in his return from 5 months on the shelf; gray is quick enough to secure a good spot from the bell and should be tighter with his return behind him; one to beat if the rains come. - Steve Grabowski

Race 7

Doctor Dempsey

Impressed in his debut score when fighting off 3 rivals for early command before holding on over a deep rallier; his sire won multiple G1 stakes and 3.63 million while the dam lost her only attempt; winning siblings include 203K earner Omaha Beach; dangerous import.

Station Chief

Ignore the first turf try when he encountered too much pressure; broke maiden in game fashion when challenged from the opening bell; draws a particularly favorable post and the training track workout on the morning of 5/27 was excellent; playable.

Double Gold

Although not really threatening in his last showing, he was compromised that day by a very soft opening quarter-mile fraction (which gave the early speed types the advantage); should receive far swifter early fractions here and benefit; owns best last Beyer.

Sidearm

Invariably fires enough to hit the board and switches to top-notch rider this afternoon; his latest a.m. drill suggests he is at the ready and, despite spotting experience over this main course, warrants trifecta inclusion once again; should be a more generous price than in recent starts.

One More Chief

Set too fast a clip in his first outing since last summer; ran well in his maiden voyage at this oval when narrowly outfinished by Thankstomyuncle but may have a tough time today establishing an early lead in light of all the inside speed; difficult assessment overall.

Sideways Vision

Best efforts have been in routes and this could be a stepping stone race in that direction; returning breeze pattern is only moderate and he may have a difficult time reeling in the pacesetters today; watch for him down the road on the stretch-out.

No Its Not

Little chance last month when rallying very wide as the winner (who broke from the rail) had a much better journey; defeated only 3 rivals when graduating at Parx and will have to get into this race sooner than unusual in order to have any say.

G W's Hammer

Took a while to escape the n2l condition but then ran a solid race in his first try at the n3l level; he is facing mostly one-time winners this afternoon but is still search for his first exacta finish at Belmont; conflicting signals for this son of the speed merchant Bustin Stones.

Thnxtomyuncle

Another runner in the field whose recent turf effort can be discounted especially since he had a nightmare run from the outermost post; closed with a rush to break maiden here last season and needs that type of accelerated early pace now; worth some exotic wagering inclusion if there are no key late scratches.

Ogermeister

This frequent flyer is the selection; he broke maiden here with authority at odds-on before facing 23 rivals at Ascot; crossed the pond again only to be over-matched in the G2 Saratoga Special before showing he belongs in statebred overnight stakes; in his only try of the year, a super-key race, he was forced to race widest; consider.

Horatio

Could not keep pace a month ago when negotiating 7 furlongs which is not his optimum distance; has flashed decent early speed in the past but this outside slot may prove too much of a roadblock; may change tactics under this rider and the half-mile drill on 5/26 certainly catches the eye; puzzling item. - Jim Kachulis

Race 8

Ballylee

Hood goes on after getting used arguing the fractions off the freshening in her first with older; she's yet to get back to that number she earned going long first time out over the inner, but she's the first foal out of a dam who was G1 SP going long and is eligible to improve; a couple of these gals beat her home 2 back, but given the new equipment maybe she's able to control things from the bell here and that could help her stay longer.

Wraith

Wasn't able to make a big impact while rallying into slow splits in her local debut and finished a few lengths behind one to today's foes who was no match for the front running winner; don't know that the fractions will be more to her liking today, but she did return to work sharply last week and if she does get a little more pace she could well have more of an impact this time; consider.

Equilateral

Earned a field best number when unveiled in the local muddy sprint score last month and now she'll take on winners; barn is profitable with its stretchouts and this gal did return to work in similar fashion to what prepared her for the successful debut; dam was a limited route winner and this filly's sire was a G1 SW router so the added trip does figure to be up her alley; wet track would be another plus; contender.

Aqua Regia

She's been right there in midstretch of each of her starts with winners but has been unable to get the job done; filly's early interest helped her get the jump on the third place filly last out who returns again in this spot and the lack of serious lick in this heat suggests her style may again prove beneficial; nice to see Lezcano take interest, but given her recent efforts we'll limit her use to underneath in exotics.

Sabbatical

McGaughey filly responded to the new Lasix administered when making her first start of the year on Keeneland's synthetic footing and ran away from maidens; she'll stretch back out to a trip she's bred to love while getting a top pilot for her first with winners; pace in front of her may not be ideal, but maybe she'll offer a little more early herself while fresh; giving her the repeat nod.

Rock Me Mama

Had some pre-race troubles but went on to run well to get third money sprinting across town; she broke her maiden going long and her dam dropped SP, 2 time route winner and 156K earner Lunar Surge so she's another who should like the stretch back out for a barn that does well with the move. - Steve Grabowski

Race 9

Dulhan

She was outrun throughout in her career debut after going to post at just under 80-1 and her connections will hope that she can be ready for better at second asking with the addition of blinkers.

Countess Twice

Sire wins with approximately 8% of his turf starters and multiple stakes winning dam won 10 of 24 starts for 378k, including 0-for-2 over turf; she has some early speed to employ and it doesn't hurt her to have Velazquez back aboard for her first turf test.

Aviendra

Her complete lack of early speed is a concern, but this does look like a decent spot for her to face maiden claiming competition over turf for the first time; winner from latest won next out at Aqu on 12/13 going 6f vs. 50k OPC's with a 64 Beyer, and third finisher won next out at Aqu on 12/4 going 6f vs. 25k MCL's with a 51 Beyer.

Make Your Point

She produced an improved performance in her turf debut in her latest outing and the 55 Beyer Speed Figure she earned for that effort represents the best last race figure in this field; she has a live look to her while getting a rider switch to Castellano.

Kevin's Steel

This mare has turf in her pedigree, and a couple of her turf starts have been solid performances, but it is difficult to have confidence in her when seeing what she's done since being returned from a long layoff back in December.

Josie's Prospect

She's another who is eligible to find herself far outrun soon after the start, but she has a little bit of turf in her pedigree, and feel that she's shown enough in her two turf attempts to be taken seriously against these.

Lady Seeker

Sire wins with approximately 18% of his turf starters and this is the first foal from a dam who was winless from eight starts, including one turf start; Heatseeker has proven to be a strong influence as a turf sire and that's a reason to list this one among the contenders in her turf debut.

Luna Brava

Sire wins with approximately 8% of his turf starters and dam won 11 of 39 starts for 115k, and she didn't make a turf start; winner from latest won next out here on 5/31 going 7f in a 125k stakes with an 83 Beyer; she has some early zip and this is an outfit that can jump up with one over turf.

Gu Gu Beans

She hasn't finished closer to the winner than13 lengths in her first three starts, and her two most recent races have been over turf; she's going to need to find a way to dial up a much improved performance in order to contend.

Funky Munky Fever

Roaring Fever has been a poor influence as a turf sire but feel that this filly has shown enough in her two turf attempts to be listed among the contenders in this spot; note what this barn has done lately with the MSW to MCL move.

East Coast Express

She needs to see a scratch from the main body of this race in order to contend, and even though she's yet to post a 1-2 finish from nine turf starts, she has turf form on her card that is fast enough to suggest that she can run with these.

Zafiro Azul

She showed a little something in her career debut sprinting over turf and perhaps she can be ready for a sharper try while making her second start back from a layoff; leaning toward others, but not counting out the possibility of her showing up with an improved run. - Brian Pochman