BetPTC.com Graded Stakes Preview / Ed Meyer
Belmont
BetPTC.com Selections / #6 – Mendelssohn / #7 – Firenze Fire / #3 – Rugbyman
Race #6 – G3 Dwyer – 1 mile – 4:36 pm EDT
#6 Mendelssohn is a son of Scat Daddy looking to get back on track in a big way. He’s looking to rebound off a dismal Kentucky Derby effort, and Aidan O’Brien retains the services of nine time Breeders’ Cup winning rider Ryan Moore. I’ll toss out the Derby for a bevy of reasons, and most importantly he caught a monster by the name of Justify. He broke his maiden in Ireland going a mile and has faced every possible surface. He gets 2nd Lasix and should make a big move getting back on track.
#7 Firenze Fire looks to bounce back from the Derby blues as well. Irad Ortiz in the saddle for Jason Servis and won the G1 Champagne last year going a mile. He likes the distance and is 2 for 3 ITM going this far, and we can expect a big closing move fresh off a 2 month layoff.
#3 Rugbyman has Jose Ortiz for Graham Motion in the driver’s seat. A lightly raced colt who broke his maiden by 14 over the track. He looked super running a closing effort in the Easy Goer and adds blinkers today.
Race #8 – G1 Belmont Oaks – 1 1/4 on the turf – 5:46 pm EDT
BetPTC.com Selections / #5 Toinette / #10 Mighty Scarlett / #8 Thewayiam
#5 Toinette has Flavien Prat in the saddle for Neil Drysdale. Prat wins 23% on the turf and she’s a perfect 3 for 3 on the sod. She is a daughter of Scat Daddy and will come calling late in the lane. She’s been off for two months and has four works over the Belmont turf around the dogs. Look for a mighty run against a talented field.
#10 Mighty Scarlett comes to post for Chad Brown with Jose Ortiz in the irons. She’s a daughter of Scat Daddy and is 3 for 3 ITM on the green. She had a building block effort in the G3 Wonder Again, and Ortiz wins 19% over the greensward. When he rides for Chad Brown they win 21% and this lightly raced filly is ready to start her summer campaign.
#8 Thewayiam goes to post for trainer Graham Motion with John Velasquez in the driver’s seat. She’s 8 for 10 ITM on the grass and exits a fast closing effort in the Penn Oaks getting beat as the chalk. Look for a rebound effort worthy of sealing the deal as she’ll come rolling in the final quarter mile under Johnny V.
Race #10 – The G1 Belmont Derby – 1 1/4 on the turf – 6:50 pm EDT
BetPTC.com Selections / #7 Catholic Boy / #8 Hawkish / #4 Hunting Horn
#7 Catholic Boy has Javier Castellano in the saddle aboard this son of More than Ready. He is 3 for 4 ITM on the grass and locked horns with some of the big boys. Trainer Jonathon Thomas wins 38% with graded stakes and comes in 2nd off a layoff. He won at first asking off a 3 month layoff and is looking for continued improvement rolling late in the lane.
#8 Hawkish is a son of Artie Schiller who won the G2 Penn Mile. He begins his summer campaign with Manny Franco in the saddle for James Toner. He owns a sharp work around the dogs over the Belmont weeds. Franco will uncork a rally when he gives the cue.
#4 Hunting Horn has Ryan Moore in irons for Aidan O’Brien. They bring a son of Camelot to post who won the Group 3 Hampton Court at Royal Ascot. He gets first Lasix and Ryan Moore comes to the big city to take down a nice score with a repeat effort.