Illman: Belmont pick three play for Sunday, Sept. 21
Let's try a pick three.
Race 2 is the $150,000 Bertram F. Bongard Stakes for 2-year-olds, and I will single #4 TIZQUICK, the fourth choice of six on the morning line.
Tizquick still is a maiden, but he gave a very good account in his debut Aug. 15 at Saratoga. Bet down to less than 2-1, he cruised to the lead while three wide on the turn and was second-best to the talented Upstart, a colt who returned to win the Funny Cide Stakes with a 95 Beyer Speed Figure.
Tizquick makes a nice appearance and boasts a precocious pedigree that should play well over a wet track. Also, as I mentioned in my Belmont handicapping preview, the favorites have questions to answer.
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Race 3: I'm not sure I trust #1 BE BULLISH as an underlay in the third race but will begrudgingly use him as he takes a precipitous drop in class following seven consecutive losses.
#5 TUMMEL might be a little cheap, but he's been racing in good form in New Jersey and recently finished ahead of Cho Time, a gelding who returned to improve his Beyer 11 points when third in an N1X allowance at Laurel. I'm banking he'll appreciate the good pace up front. He offers value at close to his 8-1 morning line.
My backup is #8 DEADICATED DEAL, who overcame some trouble to score at Saratoga. With two wins from his last three starts, he is sharp and is another who should be running hard late.
Race 4: In the anchor leg of the wager, my main horses are the one-two finishers of a maiden race Aug. 29 at Saratoga. I truly prefer #6 MY SUPER NOVA, who did all of the racing that day only to falter in the final furlong. This time, she may stalk while in the clear, and I'm expecting a stronger late punch. Plus, the Super Savers have done well on wet tracks, albeit from a small sample size. I'll use her as a Ticketmaker ‘A’ along with #1 TEMPER MINT PATTY, a filly who may receive another hot pace to attack.
My 'B' selection is #2 HARD TO STAY NOTGO, who I believe will improve will the addition of Lasix for Jimmy Jerkens.
Here are my Ticketmaker plays ($25 total investment):
All A Entries ($4 base):
4 with 1, 5 with 1, 6
A's with one B ($2 base):
4 with 8 with 1, 6
4 with 1, 5 with 2
A's with two B's ($1 base):
4 with 8 with 2