Rain may impact pick six sequence

ELMONT, N.Y. – A trio of allowance races restricted to New York-breds highlight Wednesday’s nine-race program at Belmont Park, and all are in the pick six sequence, which begins the day with a $32,174 carryover.

Rain is in the forecast so handicappers should be prepared for a wet track and potentially the first off-the-turf races of the year on the New York Racing Association circuit, which has conducted 99 turf races since April 7.

Race 5, the second leg of the sequence, is for females going 6 1/2 furlongs on dirt, and bettors figure to rely heavily on Camorra, a Todd Pletcher-trained 3-year-old filly who was beaten at 6-5 in her first start against winners on April 18 at Aqueduct. In that race, Camorra had to put away two pace prompters, but could not hold off Orchid Party, who rallied past her for that filly’s third consecutive victory.

Wednesday, Camorra looks like the primary speed, but will likely have to fend off My Roxy Girl late. My Roxy Girl has three wins and four seconds from her last eight starts.

Beautiful Buzz, returning from an eight-week layoff is a potential upsetter.

Race 7, a second-level allowance/optional $40,000 claiming event, is scheduled for the turf at 1 1/16 miles. If it remains on turf, Out of Trouble looks to be the lone speed in what would be no bigger than a six-horse field. Trained by Brad Cox, Out of Trouble is returning from a five-month layoff after winning the last two races of her 3-year-old season, both over Aqueduct’s turf course.

John Velazquez, who infrequently rides for Cox, has the call.

Table for Six, a perennial bridesmaid, figures to be running at Out of Trouble late. She was victorious in statebred company the last time she raced at Belmont ,last September.

If the race is moved to the dirt, main-track only entrants Frostie Anne and Timely Tradition look like the major players. Frostie Anne won the Sis City, part of the Claiming Championship starter allowance races conducted at Aqueduct on March 31. She is 3 for 5 at Belmont. Timely Tradition would be returning from a five-month layoff and is 2 for 3 over wet surfaces.

Race 8, a second-level allowance/optional $40,000 claiming dirt sprint for males, could be a landmine for pick six players. The race appears to be loaded with speed, which figures to help Mighty Zealous and Benevolence, both of whom are trying to shed their reputations as perennial bridesmaids.

Mighty Zealous won at this condition at Aqueduct on March 30 when offered for the claiming price. He came back 23 days later and finished second to the graded stakes-winning New York-bred Long Haul Bay when in for the allowance condition.

After winning just once in his first 20 starts with seven second-place finishes, Benevolence has won two of his last three. Trevor McCarthy has been aboard for those races and will be back on board Wednesday.

Trainer Kiaran McLaughlin said Benevolence “does seem to do better in the winter months.”

“When it gets to the summer he’s probably not quite as effective,” McLaughlin said. “But he’s been a great campaigner and run every month for a long time.”