Bernier: How I'll play Belmont for Saturday, June 17

Given the potentially rainy forecast for Elmont, N.Y., overnight Friday and throughout the day Saturday, I plan on treading lightly with any plays at Belmont Park on Saturday. The Dancin Renee is the only stakes race on the card, and I’m going to try to defeat the even-money morning-line favorite. I’ll play a double between races two and three, weather permitting.

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RACE 2
AIR VICE MARSHAL (1) was a group stakes-placed turf runner for Aidan O’Brien as a 2-year-old in 2015, and unfortunately he never was able to showcase his true ability as a 3-year-old. He now makes his second start in the United States for trainer Jimmy Jerkens, and as long as the weather holds off, it will be over his preferred turf surface. This son of War Front ran credibly in his U.S. debut over a muddy main track, defeated by only a half-length going seven furlongs. Turf is what he’s meant to run on, and as long as the race stays on the grass, he’ll be my key in the first half of this play.

RACE 3 – DANCIN RENEE
CLIPTHECOUPONANNIE (2) is a deserving favorite in the $100,000 Dancin Renee for fillies and mares, however she figures to be bet heavily off a stakes victory most recently at Pimlico on Preakness weekend. I’m more interested in COURT DANCER (3) for Jason Servis, making her second start off the bench. Court Dancer’s return effort at Monmouth was solid, especially when considering that she broke through the gate before the race was run. She has legitimate early speed, and there’s a real chance that she could wire the field. It’s also nice to know that a wet track won’t bother her, as she owns a career record of 6-2-1-2 on off-going.

THE PLAY
Double – 1 / 2