Bernier: Belmont Park pick five play for Friday, June 5

RACE 1

LADY SERENA (6) exits a victory against maidens. Although the group she beat that day was rather suspect, anything close to a replication of that performance puts her right there.

TWO TAPS (2) ships in from California for John Shirreffs, and her pedigree would suggest the added distance today should work to her advantage. Victor Espinoza retains the mount.

GARDEN PRINCESS (7) comes from Churchill Downs, and it’s entirely possible she just hated the track in Louisville. If she reverts back to either of her two efforts prior to the latest, she’s a player.

BEEN HERE BEFORE (5) switches back to the dirt for Kiaran McLaughlin, and if we see an off track on Friday afternoon, we know she can handle it.

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RACE 2

ENERGETICO (4) catches a field that’s loaded with early gas, and luckily for him the main speeds are drawn just to his inside. He should be able to work out a nice stalking trip and get first run on the closers.

SPEIGHTSTER (3) makes his second start, having aired at Keeneland in April. If he can avoid getting hooked in a speed duel with the runner to his inside he could be dangerous.

LEWYS VAPORIZER (2) has fantastic early speed and I expect Irad Ortiz to use that to his advantage. Look for him to break on top and take them as far as he can.

RACE 3

ENCHANTING LADY (7) has the sort of in-and-out pattern in her past performances that would suggest she may be sitting on one of her “in” performances for Bob Baffert. I don’t think she appreciated the surface at Churchill Downs on Oaks Day, and now she’ll cut back to 6 1/2 furlongs. She should be able to stalk the early speeds drawn to her inside.

NOBLE AND A BEAUTY (1) isn’t fast enough on paper and has to deal with the 1 post, but if she takes back and makes one run she could be interesting at a big number.

RACE 4

UNCLE VINNY (7) won like a sure thing at first asking for Todd Pletcher, and this son of Uncle Mo could be a good thing here. It’s worth noting the second-place runner in his maiden score was nearly 10 lengths clear of the third-place finisher. He has the look of a winner.

COCKED AND LOADED (1) was able to overcome adversity at Keeneland in his debut. He should be able to sit off the speeds and get the jump on the horses trying to make up any late ground.

CAT TREE (4) looked solid winning at Churchill Downs last out, but this is going to be a bit of a jump from a class standpoint.

RACE 5

TO DARE (9) turns backin distance for Tom Morley after showing good speed going longer at Belmont on May 3. The 79 Beyer Speed Figure from that race makes him a player, and I love that he’ll have more bottom than any of the first-time starters.

INDIAN TRAIL (6) is a full brother to the super talented Uncle Mo, and I wouldn’t be shocked at all to see his debut go similarly to that of his brother’s – a win by 15-plus lengths. You’d be foolish to throw anything Todd Pletcher throws out without giving the horse serious consideration.

BOW TIE BOSS (10) has finished second in all three of his starts. Maybe it’s as simple as the fourth time being the charm for this Jimmy Jerkens-trained runner.

APOSTROPHE (12) goes out for Rick Violette, a trainer who excels with first-time starters. That being said, the workout tab is a hair on the light side and the outside post is no bargain, either. He could win, but I wouldn’t be shocked if the second time is the right time.