Illman's Stars and Stripes pick four play

Saturday’s Stars and Stripes Festival at Belmont is chock-full of classy horses. It also features a $500,000-guaranteed pick four with several contentious races. Here are some thoughts with a Ticketmaker ticket.

Race 7

The Belmont Derby is a test of stamina, with many of the sophomores trying the demanding 1 1/4-mile distance for the first time. I'm going to spread with four “A” plays and a single “B” selection.

A’s - 1,4,6,8
B’s – 7

We're going to find out if No. 1 Toast of New York and No. 6 Dance With Fate are as good on turf as they are on all-weather surfaces. Both shouldn't have too much trouble with the distance, and Toast of New York could work out a nice pace-tracking, ground-saving trip from the inside.

Dance With Fate gave a powerful kick in winning the Blue Grass on Polytrack in the spring, wasn't humiliated in the Kentucky Derby on dirt, and has won previously on grass.

No. 4 Adelaide ships in for the powerful Coolmore connections and adds Lasix after finishing a solid second in the Group 2 King Edward VII Stakes at Royal Ascot. Perhaps the cutback in distance will work in his favor.

No. 8 Pornichet finished third in the French 2000 Guineas, then was a $575,450 buyback at public auction in Europe. He is now with legendary Australian trainer Gai Waterhouse and adds blinkers and Lasix for his North American debut. He should offer good value and may be on the improve.

No. 7 Gailo Chop the X-factor stepping up off four wins against lesser company in France. He can be forwardly placed and is very comfortable at this trip.

The North American contingent is led by the good trio of No. 3 Bobby’s Kitten, No. 10 Global View, and No. 11 Galaaward. The distance is a question, however.

Race 8

I’ll use two “A” selections, one “B,” and one “C” in the Suburban.

A’s - 6,11
B’s – 5
C’s - 1

No. 11 Moreno’s form is dirtied up. Last year’s Travers runner-up ran very well in the Pimlico Special two starts back after contesting hot fractions, but the connections made a conscious effort to try and rate him in the Metropolitan Handicap last time out. That isn’t Moreno’s game, and he never picked up his feet. Moreno gets blinkers again, is working swiftly, and should be on a send mission from the outside post. He acquitted himself nicely at this distance last year in the Travers and should be in strong contention when the real racing begins.

No. 6 Romansh is capable of big Beyer Speed Figures and gave a strong effort when third to Palace Malice in the Met Mile. He has the tactical speed to find a comfortable spot in the second flight and could be the horse to beat.

No. 5 Last Gunfighter is as honest as the day is long and adores this trip. He gutted out a tough win off a long layoff last time out and could be sharper for this assignment.

No. 1 Micromanage may have moved too soon in the 12-furlong Brooklyn and paid the price in the final half-furlong. He’s improved with blinkers and added distance for Todd Pletcher.

Race 9

Let’s try three “A” plays and a single “C” selection in the Belmont Oaks.

A’s - 2,5,7
C’s - 8

No. 2 Room Service might be best of the North American crew. She has won three in a row and charged down the stretch with gusto last time out to grab the American Oaks.

No. 5 Flying Jib looked good beating older foes in her seasonal debut and adds Lasix for a master trainer. The distance is a question mark as she’s never gone past a mile, but I think there’s a good amount of upside potential.

No. 7 Xcellence held the lead in the deep stretch of the French Oaks, but faltered in the final furlong. She has a good late kick, fits beautifully from a class perspective, and should be in the thick of things late.

No. 8 Wonderfully has performed dreadfully in her last couple of races, but perhaps firmer turf may give her a new lease on life. She’s well-bred and well-connected and will offer good odds.

Race 10

I’ll try and successfully complete the sequence with two “A” play

A’s - 6,12

No. 6 Point Roll dominated maidens two starts back and you can draw a line through his most recent race on dirt. He faces a field full of “one-for” types and at least has scope for further improvement.

No. 12 Hidden Vow is only 1 for 21, but gave a career-best effort most recently in the $125,000 Kingston Stakes, his first start of the year. He switches to a high-percentage barn and should be chugging late.

All A entries
Ticket 1 (All A entries): ($1.00 base) 1,4,6,8 WITH 6,11 WITH 2,5,7 WITH 6,12 = $48.00
Ticket 2 (A’S WITH ONE B): (50-cent base) 7 WITH 6,11 WITH 2,5,7 WITH 6,12 = $6.00
Ticket 3 (A’S WITH ONE B): (50-cent base) 1,4,6,8 WITH 5 WITH 2,5,7 WITH 6,12 = $12.00
Ticket 4 (A’S WITH TWO B’S): (50-cent base) 7 WITH 5 WITH 2,5,7 WITH 6,12 = $3.00
Ticket 5 (A’S WITH ONE C): (50-cent base) 1,4,6,8 WITH 6,11 WITH 8 WITH 6,12 = $8.00
Ticket 6 (A’s WITH ONE C): (50-cent bas) 1,4,6,8 WITH 1 WITH 2,5,7 WITH 6, 12 = $12.00
Total - $89.00