Bernier: How I'll play Belmont Park on Saturday, Sept. 15, 2018

The featured event at Belmont Park on Saturday is the Grade 2 Sands Point for 3-year-old fillies on the inner turf course, and there’s a horse entered who I believe will present exceptional value. I’ll play a double linking up races 8 and 9, and if I’m not alive entering the Sands Point, I’ll still play the filly I like to win.

RACE 8 – CLM35000N3L

BLUE ATLAS (3) stretches back out in distance for Todd Pletcher while also dropping to the N3L level for the first time, and the class relief is needed. She’s done solid work at Belmont Park in the past, and Flavien Prat picks up the mount on this 3-year-old daughter of English Channel; she’s not the likeliest of winners, but she’s one I’ll use. CANNY (5) has been gone for a few months, but she was facing better in the optional-claiming ranks and fits among these for Michael Stidham. ENTHUSIASTIC GAL (7) makes the most sense in this spot, having closed gamely into slow fractions in her most recent start at Laurel Park. Two starts back, this daughter of Ecclesiastic buried a field of N2L foes, and it’s hard to ignore that she’s 2 for 2 at Belmont Park.

RACE 9 – G2 SANDS POINT

COLONIA (6) was visually impressive in winning her U.S. debut at Arlington Park on July 7, finishing full of run. Graham Motion proceeded to send her to Del Mar for the Grade 1 Del Mar Oaks, and a combination of things led to her undoing; a passive ride from Joel Rosario left her with entirely too much to do late, and it didn’t help that she was forced to tap the brakes coming off the far turn. Joe Bravo gets reunited with this daughter of Champs Elysees, and if he’s able to keep her slightly closer to the pack throughout the race, I believe she has as good a chance as any to win the Sands Point.

THE PLAY

$10 DOUBLE – 3,5,7 with 6 = $30