Hammersly: Belmont pick four play for Saturday, Oct. 4

A couple stakes to start the late pick four have appeal, and with a large, inscrutable field to close out the gimmick, there appears the chance for a nice hit.

Race 8

Some of the East’s top 2-year-old males knock heads. I SPENT IT (#2) looks like the real deal after a smashing win in the Grade 2 Saratoga Special and a solid second (nine lengths clear of third) to the East’s top-ranking juvenile male, the now-sidelined Competitive Edge.

EL KABEIR (#1) looked super blasting maidens at Saratoga and has worked splendidly since. HOLY BOSS (#4) likewise laughed at maidens, his big win coming at Churchill, and it’s nice to see Steve Asmussen ships here. He knew whom he’d be running against. UPSTART (#2) impressed at Saratoga with a pair of wins, including a game tally in the restricted Funny Cide.

A’s – 2
B’s – 1, 3, 4
C’s – None

Race 9

TOURIST (#5) ran splendidly when second to top-class Adelaide in the Grade 1 Secretariat, and that runner now goes to Australia for some big races there, so Tourist was chasing a real toughie. He was second despite opening up a long early lead, and despite that and the fast 1 1/4 miles, maybe a bit dodgy for him at this stage of the game, he finished well clear of third. He’s the one to catch. He’d be a standout if not for the presence of MR. SPEAKER (#9), who showed his quality when beating the aforementioned Adelaide in the Grade 1 Belmont Derby here July 5, so he’s got obvious quality. They tried dirt in the Grade 1 Travers last time, but he didn’t flourish (ran fifth). He’s back to his best game.

RING WEEKEND (#1) has flourished since moving back to turf, finishing a solid second to Tourist in the Sir Cat and handily winning the Grade 3 Saranac. French raiders BLACKTYPE (#3) and CABRAL (#8) showed talent overseas. The Euros have continued to ship to the U.S. and thrive.

A’s – 5, 9
B’s – 1
C’s – 3, 8

Race 10

LEROY JR. (#1) comes off two solid turf sprints this summer. Those were not only his first two tries against winners, but they were his first outings since Nov. 28. He returns to dirt here, and in fact, it’s his dirt form from last fall that gives him so much appeal here – he ran second in a dirt sprint on this track a year and day ago and blasted maidens by 9 1/2 lengths (92 Beyer) on the Aqueduct main track Nov. 28. So he gets back to what may be his best surface with two nice outings under his belt to show he’s just fine after the long vacation.

Trainer Chad Brown appears to have a stranglehold on this, as he not only sends out Leroy Jr. but also GROUPTHINK (#4). The son of Majestic Warrior has been in the trifecta in all seven career starts and comes off a strong second in a sprint at this level here Sept. 10 to make him a proven commodity.

A’s – 1
B’s – 4
C’s – None

Race 11

Here’s where spreading seems a must. SPACE COWBOYS (#9) showed good speed in his turf sprint debut here Sept. 10 before running third. He can benefit from that, and a bullet work since says he’s doing well. MARK MY STYLE (#11) pressed the pace in a turf route here Sept. 14 before fading to fourth. He’s handled turf, and maybe at this stage of the game, this shorter trip plays better for him. MEMORIES OF PETER (#3) is a potential upsetter after breaking very slowly and being very wide in his turf sprint debut when sixth here Sept. 1. He kept to his task and remember he took money (was just 5.80-1). He’s by sharp turf sire Disco Rico. SPOTLESS (#10) chased the pace in his turf sprint debut while rank, and while he tired late, he did flash turf ability. He could improve. BOLDLEE (#8) has shown versatility in his two starts, both turf sprints, and worked smartly Wednesday at Finger Lakes to show he’s doing well.

A’s – 9, 11
B’s – 3, 10
C’s – 8