Belmont preview: Rapid Repair should be well positioned

Both grass courses took on a good amount of rain last week, and the inside paths may have been best as the turf dried out over the weekend. After a couple of hot days, I'd expect the refreshed courses to play fairly.

Taylor Rice has been riding in good form. Over the past 10 days, Rice boasts a record of 24-5-7-4 and came within a nose of scoring a hat track over the inner turf on Sunday.

Cornelio Velasquez also rode two winners on Sunday and has a mark of 21-6-3-3 since June 11.

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Shayjolie looks logical in the fifth race, a maiden special weight for fillies and mares at a one-turn mile, but she might wind up an underlay at 2-1 or so. She ran well in her debut on May 10, but that race was contested over a sealed, muddy track, and she now must break from the rail over fast going.

I prefer Rapid Repair, who will make her second start off the layoff for Bill Mott. Four weeks ago, she made her initial dirt appearance, and it was a decent effort. Rapid Repair showed good speed from her inside draw, put away her pace rival on the turn without much fuss, and dug in gamely in the stretch only to be outfinished by the longest shot on the board. She draws a comfortable outside post position and should be forwardly placed once again.

Other contenders include Magnolia Lane, who goes turf to dirt for Shug McGaughey; Miadora, who stretches out after chasing a quick pace sprinting and could wind up on the lead; and the Darley entry of Make It Snappy and Kate Greenaway. Make It Snappy adds Lasix for her second career start, and that's a potent angle for trainer Kiaran McLaughlin (6 for 21, 29 percent, $3.16 ROI over the past two years, according to Formulator).

Selections: 7-2-5

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Hillhouse High is hardly a superstar, but it's understandable why some folks will make her a short-priced single to kick off the late pick four in race 6Tay. She has a strong speed figure edge over her competition, and trainer Chad Brown is 5 for 17 (29%, $2.27 ROI) over the past two years going route to sprint on turf.

Deep-pocketed multi-race players might also consider Charm City Girl off a maiden victory in her turf debut for Graham Motion; late-running Scatcapade, who may get a good pace to attack; and the speedy Knacque.

Selections: 6-2-7

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Horse to Watch

QUAY
Trainer: Robert Ribaudo
Last race: June 15, 1st
Finish: 2nd by nose
Beyer Speed Figure: 86
Inside paths provided the best footing over the drying-out turf courses on June 15, and Quay was forced to take the long way around after racing in between horses on the backstretch. She gave a good late try to just lose the bob to a ground-saving, gate-to-wire winner and seems primed for Saratoga. In two races at the Spa last year, Quay finished second in a grass sprint over the Mellon Course before winning her maiden around two turns over the inner turf. While capable sprinting, she might be more effective at a mile and should be followed in a similar 'n2x' optional claimer or restricted stakes event.