Fornatale: How I'll play Belmont Park on Sunday, Sept. 10

It’s a huge day of sports in New York, with the first Sunday of the NFL season and my man Rafa Nadal going for his first U.S. Open title. But those events will be relegated to TV No. 2 in the Brooklyn Bunker, as I plan on playing Belmont today.

I’ll try to get on the right foot in the early pick five.

Race 1: The scratch of the morning-line favorite opens up the opener. I’ll use three horses. #5 CALL HER KARMA goes first off the claim for Rudy Rodriguez, is dropping, and has pace and speed figures that make her dangerous. #6 EVERYTHING MAGIC has numbers that aren’t far off the best of these and an excuse for the last race, where she was wide and behind horses through slow fractions. #7 KENTUCKY DANCER aired the last time she was in for a tag and is another worthy of inclusion based on overall form and figures.

Race 2: Of the firsters rated by the DRF Clocker Report, I was most impressed with #10 VOTING CONTROL, who worked well with the tough older horse Performance Bonus. If he’s capable of running the type of speed figure that one typically does, he ought to win. Of the ones who’ve run, I like #11 AMBASSADOR JIM for Christophe Clement. He ran well enough on debut, and I’m developing a thing for these Treasure Beach babies on the grass.

Race 3: I’ll use two in here, both coming out of the Aug. 13 race, both on old-school trip-handicapping angles. That was a day that favored speed, and #1 DWIZARD was off the pace and wide, plus he made a little move on the turn. Michelle Nevin trainees often improve notably second out, adding to the appeal. #7 GIVETHEMAN A CIGAR appeared to have speed but had to be taken in hand when racing greenly. After recomposing himself, he stayed on well at the end, giving him the classic “Z pattern” in his running line – he moved early and late in the race. He might be able to run a little bit.

Race 4: As narrow as I’ve been to this point, I’m going to spread a little here with four horses: #5 AIR VICE MARSHAL might be the best speed, and he’s shown enough closing kick. #6 NEW YORK SONG impressed at the Spa, showing class and getting up to win despite a wide trip. #7 LUCALLAN was impossibly far back last time as well as wide and still ran well. #8 HOMEWOOD FIELD might be the best closer of them all, and you leave this outfit out at your own peril.

Race 5: It’s not easy pinning one’s hopes to a pair of horses who have that “career maiden” look, but over time, it seems to me that horses are what their numbers say they are. And #5 WISH UPON and #7 GRAND BANKS look best on the numbers. In the interest of including a runner with some upside, I’ll also throw in #2 SATURDAYNIGHTFLING, who made a nice rally into a slow pace last time. That was her first turf race, so there is room for improvement for low-profile connections who should ensure a price.

THE BET

$1 pick five: 5-6-7 with 10-11 with 1-7 with 5-6-7-8 with 2-5-7 ($144)

If I were to press a horse, I’d choose #10 VOTING CONTROL in Race 2.