Hammersly: Pick four play at Belmont for Saturday, Sept. 19

A Grade 1 winner who drops and some scary foreigners may be the keys to nailing the pick four at Belmont Park. It’s an all-turf pick four as well, and the following applies only if the races stay on the sod.

Race 7

SPEIGHTSTOWN TIME (#10) faces winners for the first time but his turf sprint debut win was terrific so he may be this good. RUN FOR LOGISTICS (#5) rattled off four straight strong turf sprints to earn a shot at the Grade 1 Forego. That didn’t go well but he’s back to a much better situation here, both in terms of surface and class. LIBERAL SPIN (#9) ran on smartly for third in a $25K turf sprint at Saratoga. He was claimed by Jason Servis (a super 38 percent off a claim) and comes back without a tag. THE BIG DELUXE (#4) continues his sharp form. He’s versatile, too. DECENT (#3) appears to have found a home on turf as he comes off four straight strong turf sprints.

A’s) 5, 10

B’s) 3, 4, 9

C’s) None

Race 8

COFFEE CLIQUE (#1) is a Grade 1 winner and comes off a solid fifth in the Grade 2 Ballston Spa behind some top competition. This drop may be a winning move. CROWLEY’S LAW (#7) is a dangerous Euro raider. Just a few months ago she was second to Arabian Queen, who may be the second or third best female in all of Europe.

A’s) 1

B’s) 7

C’s) None

Race 9

JAY GATSBY (#1) invades from France, where he did plenty of good work. UMGIYO (#3) did some big things in South Africa and Dubai, and was regarded highly enough to try the Grade 1 Turf Classic on the Kentucky Derby undercard. That didn’t go well but they’ve regrouped with him and there’s a critical drop. PLANETAIRE (#5) is a scary French raider. A year ago, he was competitive with Cirrus des Ailes, one of the best grass horses in the world. TAGHLEEB (#11) has been knocking on the door for red-hot trainer Kiaran McLaughlin and may be ready to bust through.

A’s) 1, 3

B’s) 5

C’s) 11

Race 10

SAX CHANGE (#11) is the proven turf form and also has a feel for the route. CONVERGE (#8) has worked in solid fashion for his debut Chad Brown, who’s not only strong first out but on turf. It’s a turf pedigree, too. YUMMY BEAR (#10) ran on decently in his first start, on turf, and could improve for Linda Rice, who’s strong second time out (22 percent). VINO BLANCO (#7) is a firster who’s bred to love turf, being by grass champ Cape Blanco. Trainer Thomas Bush won with a firster here the other day.

A’s) 8, 11

B’s) 10

C’s) 7

:: See Michael Hammersly’s pick four play in DRF TicketMaker and bet it with DRF Bets