Hammersly: Belmont Park pick six play for Friday, June 7, 2019

Not only does Belmont’s two-day Pick-6 Friday and Saturday allow you to decipher some top-class racing, hopefully finding a nugget or two, it comes with a couple other benefits: your outlay doesn’t have to be extravagant (it’s a 20-cent wager) and there’s that wonderful phrase horseplayers love to go with it – low takeout.

True North (Friday Race 8)

CATALINA CRUISER (#3) has been freshened since a dull Grade 1 Breeders’ Cup Dirt Mile try as the heavy chalk, has worked strongly, and handles this type of trip. If he comes back the horse we saw in SoCal last year he wins this, but off that Breeders’ Cup run, the layoff and shipping again, that’s no small “if,” is it? WHITMORE (#7) chased Mitole in his last two. He gets away from that foe and was a sharp second in this last year. There’s ample speed signed up here to bolster his late run and it may help to catch the top pick off the layoff. STRIKE POWER (#5) looked super romping in his comeback win April 25 at Gulfstream. He has dangerous speed.

A’s) 3

B’s) 5, 7

C’s) None

Belmont Gold Cup (Friday Race 10)

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ARKLOW (#6) comes off a sharp second in the Grade 1 Man o’ War and has always given the indication he can go this far. AMADE (#3) invades from Europe where the gelding was a proven commodity playing this game. The bulk of his success has come on synthetic, yes, but he’s proven on turf playing this game as well. RED KNIGHT (#4) won the H. Allen Jerkens at this trip at Gulfstream Dec. 29 so he’s a proven commodity playing this game. After that he was freshened but came back to be a sharp second in the Grade 2 Elkhorn at 1 1/2 miles at Keeneland April 20, so that sets him up well for this. RAA ATOLL (#8) is a scary European raider who comes off a Group 2 win in Germany playing this same game.

A’s) 3, 6

B’s) 4

C’s) 8

Woody Stephens (Saturday Race 8)

MIND CONTROL (#9) flirted with the Triple Crown trail with some good outings, but this one-turn game appears his forte, and after opting off the Triple Crown trail he has been pointed specifically for this. COMPLEXITY (#4) flashed big-time potential last year. A setback has kept him away from the races for a while but he’s worked lights out for his return for a trainer who’s superb off the bench.

A’s) 4, 9

B’s) None

C’s) None

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Met Mile (Saturday Race 9)

MCKINZIE (#2) was dazzling winning the Grade 2 Alysheba at Churchill on Kentucky Oaks Day May 3. That was around two turns, but he’s been huge in some one-turn starts as well, notably his Grade 1 Malibu win at Santa Anita Dec. 26.Trainer Bob Baffert said he thinks he’s the best horse in the land. He might be right. MITOLE (#3) looked super winning the Grade 1 Churchill Downs at 7 furlongs on Kentucky Derby Day May 4. Speed is his main weapon but he showed there he’s no need-the-lead type. FIRENZE FIRE (#7) just loves this place and comes off a strong win. This game (one turn) is his best.

A’s) 2, 3

B’s) 7

C’s) None

Manhattan (Saturday Race 10)

BRICKS AND MORTAR (#8) is the top-rated turf horse in the country. He looked in trouble midway through the Grade 1 Old Forester Turf Classic at Churchill May 4, but overcame a tough trip to win impressively for a fourth straight win. If he handles this new, longer distance (and he’s bred to) he can affirm that ranking. RAGING BULL (#1) was on the worst part of the Churchill course (inside) when chasing ‘MORTAR in the Turf Classic, but once he moved outside he finished with good energy. He gets blinkers and maybe that can draw more consistency from him. His “A” game is certainly enough. ROBERT BRUCE (#3) hated the soft going in the Ft. Marcy. That was also his first start since he floundered on the Churchill bog in the Grade 1 Breeders’ Cup Turf last fall. Remember, he won the Grade 1 Arlington Million at this same trip last summer. Firmer ground and this longer trip suit. CHANNEL MAKER (#10) is top class and sharp. You do wonder if this trip is a tad short of his best, though he was beaten just a length in this last year and appears on top of his game.

A’s) 1, 8

B’s) 3

C’s) 10

Belmont (Saturday Race 11)

INTREPID HEART (#8) blew the start in the Grade 3 Peter Pan and could manage only third. He’s trained well since with blinkers (will wear them here) and is bred to love this trip. His sire, Tapit, has produced three of the last five winners of this race. It’s also encouraging his trainer, Todd Pletcher, opts to go here as there are other options. TACITUS (#10) ran on nicely in the Kentucky Derby for fourth (awarded third via disqualification) and has worked well for this. With his pedigree this longer trip shouldn’t be an issue. WAR OF WILL (#9) was hindered in the Kentucky Derby but bounced back to win the Preakness in smart fashion. His trainer, Mark Casse, has always said this guy could be a star and it looks as though he’s spot-on. That said, this is his third run in five weeks.

A’s) 8, 10

B’s) 9

C’s) None