Belmont Park Picks: NY Traffic returns to Big Sandy on April 29

Are you ready for another season of racing at beautiful Belmont Park? It's here ... NYRA's treasured "beast" in Elmont, New York is ready, and we have your free picks every day! From Opening Day through the Belmont Stakes Program, and into July, it is going to be another great set of cards ... so, enjoy! Today, 9 races as the 1st weekend looms! Let's go ...

At Horseracing.net/us we have you covered, including all of the action! It is a good time for some of the best that North American racing has to offer. Stay tuned! If you're looking for picks elsewhere around the country this Friday be sure to check out our free Horse Racing Picks via the gold button below. Don't forget to follow us on Twitter ... Horseracing_USA !!!

Most Likely Winner: (Race 3: Bank On Shea #4, 8/5):

Trainer Ray Handal took over the conditioning duties from Carlos David, and he is dropping his new charge down from running in the Carter H. (G1) against superstar Speaker’s Corner. This is significant, and I think is the appropriate place to land … a “Non-G” for $100k. I like it when Dylan Davis and Handal get together because they have a strong connection. Clearly, Shea D Boy’s Stable believes in the young trainer, and at odds of 8/5, he could drift upwards … what with the short-priced Saffie Joseph runner … NY Traffic … entered. A son of Central Banker, Davis will have some late gears at his disposal, and if he can leave enough in the tank in the end, he could be a solid “win” bet for his 1st start with a new barn.

Wagering Recommendation: $100 Win, #4

Off-the-Pace Play of the Day: (Race 2: I’m Fine #5, 5/1):

The folks at Highlander Training Center switched from trainer Jeremiah Englehart way back in early November, and went with Joe Sharp. He is one of those conditioners that competes in several locales … one of them being NYRA. This mare by Blame only has 1 win over 16 starts, but I will argue that her fortunes are turning around. Sharp decided to move her from Belmont (with her previous barn), and instead of sending her to Aqueduct for the Winter Meet, he shipped her to his base in New Orleans. In a trio of races (2 were on the turf), his mare had a 3rd, along with a couple of 4th place finishes. Last out, she arrived at “The Big A,” and was 2nd against state bred types at the ALLW Co. level. I like this spot with Eric Cancel in the irons. Highlander invests in some good ones, and the price is right on the tote at 5/1 or higher.

Wagering Recommendation: $100 Bankroll, Graduated Wager WPS #5 ($10-W, $15-P, $75-S)

Spotlight Race of the Day: (Race 8: Dirt, 7F, AOC62.5kn2x, F&M 3+):

The 2nd “feature” of sorts on this Friday card is a tough dirt sprint, going 7F at Big Sandy. There are only 6 drawn-in here, but expect it to be a pretty competitive affair. A pair of possible co-favorites can be found in stalls 1 and 2. Trainer Mike Miceli is a solid NY-based conditioner, and Love and Love #1 made her ’22 debut for the barn over at Aqueduct against ALLW Co. She won impressively by 3-lengths, and will take money over at Belmont with Dylan Davis up. The Falcone Barn also has an ace in a daughter of Cairo Prince named Customerexperience #2. She has been claimed … and claimed … and claimed over this past year, so it hard to gauge her level of fitness. What we do know is that the mare moved up from an OC62.5kn2x into a tough “Non-G.” In an effort to spurn the “faves,” let’s instead look to Fernando Abreu’s Royal Meghan #5. A mare by Uncaptured, she is incredibly classy, with experience at this exact level. Some ‘cappers might not be satisfied with her efforts recently at Aqueduct, but I think she on the verge of a score. The addition of Jose Ortiz is a smart, and breaking from that outside post might give her the chance to get on or close to the lead. That might be a great change in tactics, and her price will be right at 6/1. Let’s put together a nifty Exacta, and go to town on this one! Don’t you love Belmont?

Wagering Recommendation: $2 Exacta Wheel, 5 w 1/2

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Enjoy the day at beautiful Belmont! Best of luck on another run at their Spring/Summer Meet!