Race 6
Desert Duchess (#2)
Got involved in a heated pace duel last time with a runner that ultimately finished last.
Stepping up in class, but her last effort suggests she's ready to make the jump.
DRF Formulator Fact: Over the past five years, Mike Maker is 12 for 50 ($3.71 ROI) first off the claim in turf routes at NYRA tracks.
4-1 on ML
KRISSYS MANICURE
Trainer: Richard Baltas
Last race: June 6, 3rd
Finish: 3rd by 7 1/4
Beyer: 47
No match for good one-two fillies Surrender Now and Tyfosha, but this 2-year-old firster ran well. From her rail draw, she pushed the pace inside, dropped back, took dirt, and went evenly. Maidens from this stable tend to improve. Twirling Candy filly one to follow.
INFLEXIBILITY
Trainer: Chad Brown
Last race: June 11, 9th
Finish: 3rd by 7
Beyer: 78
In her first non-turf start, the Woodbine Oaks favorite was shuffled back in traffic from a stalking position on the far turn before coming back on belatedly to garner third money on the wire.
Each week, TimeformUS Chief Figure Maker Craig Milkowski takes a look back at the weekend’s graded stakes and releases the TimeformUS Speed Figures for these races.
Belmont
Grade 1 Belmont Stakes
1/2 138
1m 128
Fin 120
Top 3: Tapwrit 120, Irish War Cry 119, Patch 113
Note: Fast pace for a race of this distance, field was very strung out at the wire; Triple Crown races saw nine different horses fill the top three slots
What follows is a short analysis of the pick four that begins on race 8 at Belmont and continues through the Belmont Stakes, race 11.
Race 8, Just a Game
Although there are several classy turf females in this race, one mare stands out based on her form this year: Dickinson (1), a winner of three straight who just ran down Lady Eli to win the Grade 1 Jenny Wiley despite traffic trouble in the lane. She’s not a slam dunk by any means, but one has to take a stand somewhere, and to these eyes, this seems like the race to do it.
The lack of a Triple Crown bid in the Belmont Stakes is bad news for the Elmont, N.Y., racetrack but good news for handicappers, as the absence of a standout betting favorite means a completely wide-open field ripe with betting value.
Race 2:
Jamminwithbrandon (#4)
Chased down a fast pace two back while earning a competitive 116 TimeformUS Speed Figure.
Got a peculiar ride last time in which he lost position before rallying again late.
Low-profile connections will ensure a huge price in a race where the favorites look vulnerable.
30-1 on ML
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Belmont | Race 9 | Post Time 5:14 p.m. (ET) | Go to the TimeformUS PPs
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Both our Pix last week got whacked around a bit. Positive Ways got cut off twice in the stretch and was moved up to place as the 3-to-5 favorite to complete a $53 exacta. Big Mama Lady, on the other hand, got swamped at the start and flattened out after trying to catch up. Two BreezeFigs 2-year-old maidens won last week, at Belmont and Gulfstream.
