RACE 4: KLICKITAT (#3)

Belmont | Race 6 | Post Time 3:34 p.m. (ET) | Go to the TimeformUS PPs | Not already a TimeformUS member? Sign up

RACE 4: MY GAL VAL (#4) 

Five stakes races that drew a total of 32 entrants isn’t great, but Belmont Park nonetheless stands front and center on this Saturday between Derby and Preakness.

We’ll take a closer look at the Peter Pan, a plausible prep for the Belmont, but likely will be sitting out the only Grade 1 in North America on Saturday, the Man o’ War.

Belmont | Race 7 | Post Time 6:15 p.m. (ET) | Go to the TimeformUS PPs | Not already a TimeformUS member? Sign up

RACE 5: SHASTA STAR (#7) 

Each week in this space, the top Beyer performances by maiden winners will be featured and analyzed. Click here for a complete archive.

Strobe

May 7, 14th race Churchill, MdSpWt121k

Beyer: 92

6f 1:08.71 – 1st by 4 1/2 lengths

b. c. 3, Into Mischief – Flashing, by A.P. Indy

Owner: Godolphin

Trainer: Brad Cox

BRIEFCASE GIRL

Trainer: Carla Gaines

Last race: May 6, race 1

Finish: Second by 1

Beyer: 72

Debut filly in special-weight turf sprint was tons best. Broke awkwardly, lagged next to last, lost ground on turn and into stretch, finished well, race won by rail-trip pacesetter.

TAKE A LEAP         

Trainer: Reed Saldana

Last race: May 7, race 6

If horse racing is not the world’s greatest game on which to wager, try to name another game bettors can make a score despite being dead wrong about the winner. It happened in the 2022 Kentucky Derby, won by an 80-1 bomb who was tough to find even after the race.

Not many handicappers liked the colt Rich Strike prior to his $163.60 shock, so it was fun to hear about a few West Coast horseplayers who made modest Derby scores despite giving no consideration to the eventual winner. This story describes their strategies. All four stories are true.

Belmont | Race 8 | Post Time 4:51 p.m. (ET) | Go to the TimeformUS PPs | Not already a TimeformUS member? Sign up