Illman: How I'd play Belmont for Saturday, May 30

Let’s try a pick three at Belmont Park on Saturday.

Race 3 – Maiden Claiming

I’m going to try and beat the morning-line favorite, Caprock Kid (2). While he has races that are certainly fast enough to win and now drops into a claiming race for the first time, he has never gained ground from the stretch call to the wire. He just doesn’t seem very trustworthy at a short price.

I’m interested in Noble Hustle (4), a $250,000 yearling purchase trying turf for the first time. A son of Smart Strike, Noble Hustle is related to a grass winner and can be forwardly placed as he stretches out in distance. He ran some decent races on the main track and doesn’t have to be a star to beat these maiden sellers.

Lucky Leroy Brown (10) tackled some solid 2-year-olds last year and now returns as a gelding for trainer Linda Rice. Note that Vision Perfect, the colt who defeated Lucky Leroy Brown on Sept. 6, has come back to compile a 3-2-1-0 record with a pair of victories in $100,000 stakes races. Lucky Leroy Brown seems well-spotted for his seasonal debut.

I will utilize Number One (3), a logical performer ridden by Javier Castellano for Jimmy Jerkens, as a backup. Recently, Number One parlayed a pacesetting try into a good runner-up effort in his first try at this level.

Late Night Mark (9) is also playable. He has been away a long time, but the first-time import begins anew as a gelding for the very capable George Weaver. The horse that beat Late Night Mark on 5/29/14, Agent Murphy, recently won a listed race at Ascot.

Race 4 – Allowance

I like Irish Jade (10) cutting back in distance for trainer John Terranova. The last time Irish Jade turned back from 1 1/16 miles to seven furlongs, he won his maiden over this course. In his recent appearance at 8 1/2 furlongs on April 24, he was buried down inside behind slow splits and rallied willingly along the rail for a minor award. I’m expecting he will be sharper with that race under his belt and should get some pace to attack in the lane.

Boston Strong (7), also trained by Terranova, improved in his first start of the year, and could be the one to beat. The second-time gelding rallied boldly last time out and this distance should hit him right between the eyes.

The coupled entry of Dark Roast and Secured Position (1, 1A) deserve consideration at big odds. Dark Roast put up some competitive races on turf before being put on the shelf. Secured Position took on the capable Souper Colossal when last seen at Monmouth. Both return as geldings.

Race 5 – Optional Claimer

Longfor the City (8) dug in gamely on May 21 only to drop a photo to a Todd Pletcher-trained runner. He was claimed out of that race by the always-dangerous David Jacobson and won’t be too far off the expected moderate pace as he wheels back on nine days’ rest.

Frost Jordan (1) and Sea Raven (5) are both rounding into form. Sea Raven has winning experience at this demanding nine-furlong distance.