Hersh: Belmont pick four play for Sunday, Sept. 14
Early pick four, races 2-5
I liked two individual horses in the early pick four and so structured a wager around them. The lucky individuals are MAY FLOWERS (#7) in race 2 and KHARAFA (#4) in race 4.
Race 2: Suppose one could see this as a crapshoot race, but MAY FLOWERS has some positive attributes. Shows a $70,000 purchase price and runs for $52,000 purse in $75,000 maiden-claimer; has a pedigree suggesting 5 1/2 furlongs will be suitable; steady, fairly encouraging work pattern with mix of decent-looking longer drills and some quicker, shorter moves; barn that’s won with two of last six first-timers in maiden-claimers; and favorable outside draw. She’s a lone A, but I can’t single her. Backing up with three other first-timers, #2, #3, and #6.
Race 3: Like REMARKABLE (#5) best. Pressed good pace in mud in career debut and didn’t fade all that badly. Expect step forward. BRILLIANT JEWEL (#3) has the speed-figure advantage – and five losses as the favorite in maiden special weight tries. Professional maiden has found a soft spot, though. The two Christophe Clement first-timers, ROYALE ROSE (#2) and SAVVY SASSY (#4), are the backups.
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Race 4: Think KHARAFA (#4) has been pointed to this and is going to come forward and win the Ashley Cole for the second straight year. He doesn’t mind some give in the ground. Clearly, LUBASH (#3) and KING KREESA (#7) must be respected. Leaving out the marginal Notacatbutallama.
Race 5: There should be a decent pace in this $50,000 N3L turf-mile claimer, but conservative grass-route riding has become the law of the land of late. MAKE IT GOLD (#6) is a clear top pick to me. He was farther back than ideal at Saratoga last out, and Belmont clearly seems his favorite course – lone two wins there. Close third two back at Belmont to Glowing Ember, who wired a New York-bred N2X in the Saturday nightcap. MOP HEAD (#2) also fits and scrapes on as an A, though I trust him less than Make it Gold. WIND OF BOSPHOROUS’s (#12) 2-for-18 win mark doesn’t do much for me, and he nearly always gives late ground. In as a B, while a 15-1 chance, MR. MASTERPIECE (#1) isn’t far off Make It Gold and could sneak home under the right circumstances.
Here’s the play on DRF Tickemaker. At $2 a pop, can punch the all As a few times.