Belmont Park | Race 3 | Post Time 2:37 p.m. (ET) | Go to the TimeformUS PPs
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This is the first 2-year-old dirt route at NYRA in 2018. While it drew only five contestants, it’s actually a fascinating race. The three runners drawn toward the outside are likely to attract the most attention.
Race 3:
Empire of War (#4)
Was heavily touted prior to his debut at Saratoga, in which he disappointed after showing brief speed.
Is bred to be a top runner as a half-brother to Grade 1 winner Separationofpowers.
Could play out as the controlling speed.
2-1 on ML
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Belmont Park | Race 8 | Post Time 5:13 p.m. (ET) | Go to the TimeformUS PPs
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Race 4:
Colonel Tom (#6)
Earned a competitive 111 TimeformUS Speed Figure while flashing a ton of speed in his last win at Saratoga.
Ran well off short rest back in June, and George Weaver gets an 88 Trainer Rating off layoffs of 11 to 19 days.
Draws well outside of the other speeds this time after getting the rail in his last two starts.
8-1 on ML
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Belmont Park | Race 8 | Post Time 5:18 p.m. (ET) | Go to the TimeformUS PPs
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The likely favorite is Miz Mayhem (#2), who is shooting for a sixth consecutive win as she makes her first start for the Jason Servis barn. She obviously must be used, but this race is far too competitive to accept a short price on a favorite.
Race 3:
Mercurian (#5)
Her last effort is not as bad as it appears given the extremely fast pace.
Gets a deceptively positive trainer switch.
DRF Formulator Fact: Over the past five years, Emron Ibrahim is 14 for 90 (16 percent, $2.64 ROI) in dirt sprints at NYRA.
8-1 on ML
Kentucky Downs commands the spotlight Saturday with five stakes races on its card, four of them Grade 3 events, topped by the $750,000 Kentucky Turf Cup.
Otherwise, from a stakes standpoint, the post Saratoga-Del Mar hangover is in full effect. The feature at Belmont Park is the $100,000 Allied Forces, while the headliner at Los Alamitos Race Course is the $75,000 Beverly J. Lewis.
CALAIS CAT
Trainer: Ian Black
Last race: Sept. 2, 5th
Finish: 4th by 3 1/4
Beyer: 53
After getting away slowly, she closed belatedly when debuting in a six-furlong maiden special on the Tapeta. The 2-year-old daughter of English Channel is bred to bloom later on the grass.
