Bernier: Belmont Stakes Day price plays

Grade 1 Just a Game (Race 8)
No. 1 Ready Signal, 30-1 morning line

The Just a Game presents an interesting scenario in that many of the major players in the field like to do their running on or near the lead – something that is generally uncommon in grass racing. Somali Lemonade, Coffee Clique, and Discreet Marq have all shown that they like to be up close throughout, and the addition of Todd Pletcher’s Unlimited Budget only hastens the pace. If any sort of serious pace develops, it could set up beautifully for a closer to run them down late.

If Ready Signal can run back to some of the efforts she produced at Gulfstream Park earlier this year, she could have a say in this spot at a major price. While she lacks the class of many of her opponents in this race, she more than makes up for it with a strong turn of late foot (final five-sixteenth in 28.50 seconds two back, final quarter in 22.76 three back) – something that she wasn’t completely allowed to show off in her most recent outing.

::2014 BELMONT STAKES UNDERCARD: Latest news, video, PPs, and more

In the Distaff Turf Mile at Churchill on Kentucky Derby Day, Ready Signal started to inch forward on the far turn, only to be steadied briefly and have to be angled out to the four path before continuing on with her run. A horse losing its momentum turning for home is ruinous – especially on the grass. That being said, I like the fact that she still ran on with interest to finish a decent fourth following her brief disruption on the far turn.

Edgar Prado regains the mount on this daughter of More Than Ready on Saturday, and with a little bit of racing luck she could make some serious noise in the Just a Game.

Grade 1 Met Mile (Race 9)
No. 2 Vyjack, 30-1 morning line

In what’s arguably the most contentious race on the Belmont Stakes Day card, Palace Malice figures to be the solid betting favorite in the Met Mile, likely in the 9-5 or 2-1 range. Unless you believe he lays over the field, you’re probably going to want to look for some sort of a price – especially in a field where arguments could be made for at least half of the runners.

::DRF Live: Get real-time reports and handicapping insights from Belmont all day Saturday

After unsuccessfully taking part in the Triple Crown in 2013 and flopping in the Haskell last July at Monmouth, Vyjack is finally doing what he wants to do – racing between six and eight furlongs. His return off a nearly nine-month layoff was a successful one, a race in which he defeated next-out stakes winner Sensational Slam. Three of the four horses he defeated registered Beyer Speed Figures of 92 or greater in their subsequent starts.
Although he’s going to need to improve multiple lengths to be competitive in here, he’ll be making his second start off the long layoff and should be able to sit just off the likely pacesetters Goldencents and Broadway Empire. Don’t be shocked to see Vyjack leading the Metropolitan Handicap as the field turns for home.

Grade 1 Manhattan (Race 10)
No. 10 Chamois, 15-1 morning line

A field of 10 has been assembled for the Manhattan, and many of the shorter-priced horses on the morning line are not without holes.
Imagining was essentially carried home at the end of the Man o’ War by Joel Rosario, and while the cutback in distance should benefit him, he has the feel of a play-against.

Real Solution has turned into a horse that is better known for his penchant for hanging as he is for his successes on the racetrack. This was on full display in the Man o’ War when he looked like a sure winner at the top of the stretch, only to hang severely and finish second.

Grandeur will be getting Lasix for the first time in his career, but he hasn’t produced a top-quality effort since last summer at York in Great Britain.

For all the flaws the shorter prices seem to have, Chamois seems to be one of the few entrants in the Manhattan who may not have reached his full potential yet. Chamois ran credibly in the Grade 2 Dixie three weeks ago at Pimlico, his first start in six months, finishing a game third. He figures to be tighter this time around, and trainer Christophe Clement is 7 for 29 over the past two years with horses making their second starts off layoffs in graded stakes. Chamois will look to upset the apple cart in the Manhattan on Saturday afternoon.