Hammersly: Belmont Park pick five for Saturday, Sept. 30

An emerging star who may prove a linchpin and a tough veteran sprinter who might get the right type of setup at a price may be just what you need in a competitive and difficult late pick five at Belmont Park on Saturday. And, of course, there’s always Chad Brown to bank on in the turf legs.

Race 6
CONSUMERCONFIDENCE (#8) comes off a solid third in a turf sprint vs. likely tougher at Saratoga on Aug. 23. The drop and move to this longer trip may prove critical. JEGOS FIRE (#4) finally broke through and got that elusive diploma on this course and at this trip Sept. 21. He may have turned the corner, and while it’s his first time vs. winners, he’s not facing much power. MY TAI ONE ON (#7) ran second in his only turf start at Parx this summer. He’s got speed, and there’s a class drop for this. SON OF MINE (#6) blew the start and was no factor against tougher here July 16. He’s been freshened, drops, and showed in his Laurel maiden win that sprinting on turf suits him.

A’s) 8
B’s) 4, 7
C’s) 6

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Race 7
STALLWALKIN’ DUDE (#1) could fall into a great trip. The veteran does his best work in the lane, and with a number of speedsters in here, he figures to get the hot, contested pace that can boost his late run. A bullet work Wednesday says he’s doing well. EL REAL (#2) has really blossomed this spring/summer, with three romping wins, including a laugher in Saratoga’s Grade 1 Vanderbilt. He’s going to face a lot more pace pressure this time, however. MR. CROW (#5) was monstrous in beating lesser in his last two at Saratoga. He’s stepping way up and is short on seasoning compared to these, but he’s not short of talent.

A’s) 1, 2
B’s) 5
C’s) None

Race 8
VOTING CONTROL (#5) came out firing for Chad Brown, no real surprise, to win his turf-route debut here a few weeks ago. He’s bred to train on and relish the turf. SEABHAC (#4) had trouble in the Grade 3 With Anticipation but ran on decently. He’s a maiden, yes, but he’s shown talent, and the addition of blinkers may get him over the hump. MARAUD (#6) looked super in blasting maidens in his debut routing on turf at Saratoga last month and may be ready for this vault in class. He cost $375,000, so you know there are expectations here.

A’s) 4, 5
B’s) 6
C’s) None

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Race 9
You have to take a stand somewhere, and ELATE (#1) looks like the right spot. The 3-year-old appears to be a budding star for trainer Bill Mott, and while it’s her first time vs. elders, she’s not facing the best of the older division. Her romp in the Grade 1 Alabama at Saratoga last month was flattered as runner-up It Tiz Well came back to win the Grade 1 Cotillion at Parx last week.

A’s) 1
B’s) None
C’s) None

Race 10
BEACH PATROL (#5) gamely won the Grade 1 Arlington Million last month, so the quality is there. He tries a new distance here, but pedigree-wise, he should handle it, and his tactical speed should get him another great trip, stalking likely pacesetting 3-year-old OSCAR PERFORMANCE. That also means getting first run on the closers. SADLER’S JOY (#4) blasted home to win the Grade 1 Sword Dancer at Saratoga last month, showing that when on top of his game, he can compete at the highest level. He should get a solid pace to target. MONEY MULTIPLIER (#1) couldn’t quite fend off SADLER’S JOY when second in the Sword Dancer, but that was just his second start of the year, so he’s eligible to move forward. MEKHTAAL (#8) showed big talent in Europe, and while he didn’t fare well in the Arlington Million, he surely can do better.

A’s) 4, 5
B’s) 1
C’s) 8