Belmont Park Picks: OC80kn3x R8 the focal point on May 22

Beautiful Belmont Park in Elmont, New York is barreling towards the end of the Triple Crown Trail in early June. Now that the Preakness Stakes is in the record books, it is time to point in 3 weeks to the Belmont Stakes ... NYRA's big day! What a week and card that is going to be ...

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 are on tap, so be ready!

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 Sunday 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 2: Cara’s Dreamer #2, 5/2):

Looking at Race 2 on the Belmont card, I am pretty keen on Mitch Friedman’s filly by The Factor. That sire has produced some excellent turfers, and this 4-yr-old already has a positive record at this class level. Last year, she race-on nicely in a couple of Belmont “Non-G” events against other state breds. With Dylan Davis aboard, this one looks like a winner to my eye.

Wagering Recommendation: $100 Win, #2

Off-the-Pace Play of the Day: (Race 3: Wolfie’s Dynaghost #3, 8/1):

It is great to see Tom Albertrani’s colt by Ghostzapper come back to NYRA after a stint down in Florida at both Tampa and Gulfstream. I was impressed with his run in the Appleton S. (G3) last time out @GP. He ended up rating nicely, and was 2nd to Phantom Currency … a solid turf horse. Jose Ortiz was aboard then, and will do so once again! That was a major move, and I am hoping that this 4-yr-old gets overlooked on the tote. At odds of 8/1 … that would be an overlay.

Wagering Recommendation: $100 Bankroll, Graduated Wager WPS #3 ($10-W, $15-P, $75-S)

Spotlight Race of the Day: (Race 8: Dirt, 7F, OC80kn3x, 3+):

There is a swell-looking race on Sunday at Belmont that should be a solid betting race. It has a good field of 8, and it might be safe to say that this is anyone’s game. My guess is that Bill Mott’s Fortin Hill #6 will be close to the top of the tote come post time, and it is because he was 3rd in the Sir Shackleton $100k down at Gulfstream Park in early April. Jose Ortiz gets the call, and dropping into a spot like this one makes a ton of sense … It is going to be a “tote watch” on this one because if he ends up being below 9/5, then that is going to be too short. If that happens, I am much more interested in the running ability of Rob Atras’ Mr Phil #2. This gelding by Mr Speaker came to this barn from the Ryerson camp, and it was a good claim. The sprinter is 2/2, and looking for a 3rd win in-a-row. Regular rider Kendrick Carmouche was scheduled to ride him in the Maryland Sprint S. (G3) at Pimlico against Ray Handal’s Disco Pharoah. Atras “punted,” and decided to scratch … enter here. I think he can win in this spot. I will use him on top, then use Mott’s entry in the “2nd” position … and … you guessed it … let’s take the rest of the field underneath for the “Show.” This is going to be a slugfest, and should be the race to watch on Sunday.

Wagering Recommendation: $2 Trifecta Wheel, 2 w 6 w 1/3/4/5/7/8

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