Litfin's preview: Double carryover

Thursday, June 5 preview

DOUBLE CARRYOVER

A double carryover of $132,407 in the pick six is up for grabs beginning with race 4 at 2:53 p.m. Eastern.

A key question throughout the afternoon will be who handles the off going. A steady rain soaked Belmont overnight and through the morning. The main track will be sloppy, and all three raced scheduled for turf – races 3, 6 and 9 – have been taken off.

MAKESHIFT SHOWCASE DAY

In the wake of last Saturday’s 10-race card billed as Big Apple Showcase Day, another six races for New York-breds are on tap Thursday, topped by two allowance sprints at six furlongs positioned as races 3 and 7.

In race 3, the muck and mire may benefit Head Heart Hoof, a six-time winner on wet tracks, who goes second time off a claim by David Jacobson.

In race 7, Doctor Dempsey, a debut winner against open maidens at Santa Anita, ships in for Bob Baffert. Named to ride is Victor Espinoza, whose last win at Belmont was aboard Pico Central in the 2004 Vosburgh.

EQUILATERAL STRETCHES OUT

Equilateral, who handled a sealed, muddy track to win at first asking on May 10, stretches out to 1 1/16 miles against five rival 3-year-old fillies in race 8, a first-level allowance at 1 1/16 miles that serves as the feature.

Three others in the field have also won on wet tracks, including both fillies entered by Tom Albertrani, Aqua Regia and Ballylee, and the Jason Servis-trained Rock Me Mama, who is 2 for 2 on such footing.