Belmont Park Picks: Amble gets to the wire for Clement on June 24

With the NYRA Racing Festival complete, and Todd Pletcher's 1-2 score in Belmont Stakes now in the record books, it is time to turn our attention to the rest of the Meet. That runs through mid-July, which will in-turn, give way to celebrated Saratoga. There is much left to do in Elmont ... so, tune in!

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 7: Peruvian Boy #2, 4/1):

The last time we saw this ridgling by Tapiture, it was against some very tough OC62.5kn2x customers over at Aqueduct in late February. Trainer George Weaver was really trying to see what his new claim was capable of doing. The answer was … a class drop. Coming down to this level will be appreciated, and the venerable runner that has made 31 career starts, should be able to work out a trip against this lot. Expert rider Dylan Davis is going in the right direction, as we speak, and his hard work is paying off. He won the AQU Winter Meet title, and is improving against some of the best in the business. It would be incredible to get 4/1 on this 5-yr-old, but I doubt it will happen … maybe 5/2 is more like it.

Wagering Recommendation: $100 Win, #2

Off-the-Pace Play of the Day: (Race 9: Amble #2, 12/1):

A well-named runner for Christophe Clement, this filly by Lemon Drop Kid might be only making her 2nd start of her career, but she goes for a barn that is “red-hot” right now. Her breeding speaks to being able to handle this surface, and I have no doubts about Irad Ortiz’s ability. Owned by Stone Farm, Clement has worked her up at Saratoga on the grass with the “dogs out.” If she is as fit as I think she is, then this race could be in the bag. I am sure that Clement-Ortiz will take money, so anything below 5/1, does not qualify as an overlay. That will be my rule of thumb, as I watch the tote.

Wagering Recommendation: $100 Bankroll, Graduated Wager WPS #2 ($10-W, $15-P, $75-S)

Spotlight Race of the Day: (Race 8: Turf, 1 1/8th, ALLW80kn1x, 3+):

Taking to the Inner Turf Course at Belmont, we have a bevy of would-be routers that will be contesting this tricky distance. I say, “tricky,” because 9-furlongs is a challenging distance … it is not 1-mile, but it is also certainly not 1½ … You need speed, but not too much … American runners, and many of their jockeys (who are used to dirt) have trouble reconciling this fact. When it comes to a top selection in what constitutes a “large field,” I am stoked to back John Terranova’s Breadman #9. Here is a NY bred that has been on the receiving end of nothing but trouble in his last 2 races. If he can get a stress-free trip, then he has a chance to record a well-earned victory. That would be only his 2nd score in his career, but with super turfman Flavien Prat in the irons, this 4-yr-old has a betting chance at odds of 5/1. With the addition of “Blinkers,” I think he “looks” like a winner. A couple of other runners that could ably fill-out a Trifecta ticket include … Mike Maker’s Rally Squirrel #7 (Rosario), Todd Pletcher’s Front Line Dancer #4 (Davis), Lord Flintshire #5 (J. Ortiz), and finally, Jose Camejo’s Barleewon #6 (I. Ortiz). Each of these has the ability to “hit-the-board,” and their odds should be pretty square too. What a wide-open race this is going to be!

Wagering Recommendation: $2 Trifecta Wheel, 9 w 4/5/6/7 w 4/5/6/7

-------------------------------------------------------------------------

Enjoy another fab day trackside at Big Sandy! Best of luck on another run at Belmont Park!