Belmont: DRF Plus handicapping report for June 21, 2014

Race 1

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Race 2

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Race 3

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Race 4

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Race 5

Spot Play

UPTOWN JOE (#5, 6-1) been off since pace pressing effort last winter down at GP; prior pair over this course were solid; think we’ll see an improved horse today. - Chuck Kuehhas

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Race 6

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Race 7

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Race 8

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Race 9

Bed O'Roses by Marcus Hersh

There are 11 entrants in the Bed O’ Roses. It would not take a totally blind stab to see ANY of them winning. Even 30/1 shot Ode to Sami is coming off a decent allowance win and has a good Belmont record.

I guessed at HOT STONES as a top pick because La Verdad has been a pretty sharp filly this year and Hot Stones was closing quickly on her last out in the $200K Critical Eye for NY-breds. She adds blinkers now and has gotten in two solid-looking works since her race on May 31, a good sign that the horse is thriving physically right now. Seven-eighths looks like it could be her trip and she’s run well at Belmont. Put it all together – and you have the most tepid of selections.

But go through the field and there are holes in every horse. MERRY MEADOW comes off a decent-looking win in the Grade 3 Vagrancy. She beat a grand total of three foes there, and was an 15-time starter still N1X allowance-eligible just five races ago.

STREET GIRL exits a second-place finish behind Midnight Lucky in the G1 Humana Distaff, but that was very much a clunk-along, someone-has-to-be-second kind of performance, and the filly is 2/17 lifetime wins with an ideal distance ranger perhaps slightly longer than this.

ULTIMATE SHOPPER and CALISTOGA both scored debut victories that made them look like future stars, and neither filly has ever run back to those performances. And what happened to the progressive form CLASSIC POINT was putting together at this time last year?

And down the list one can go. The pace looks at least honest, early and middle, and it seems doubtful anyone is going to absolutely steal this race. I’d say to demand value, but it’s hard to see anyone really being bet down much in this inscrutable affair. If you are playing the race straight, box or key with a wide net, and if playing in multi-race wagers, use as many as your bankroll can tolerate.

Vulnerable Favorite

STREET GIRL (#10, 7-2) picked up the pieces for runnerup award after rivals chasing wire to wire winner tired; will leave out of exacta and all multi-race wagers. - Chuck Kuehhas

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Race 10

Spot Play

ULTIMATE EMPIRE (#6, 3-1) sure looks like the controlling speed in the finale, as he catches a field that seems comprised largely of closers; can steal it if able to get clear. -Kenny Peck

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