Belmont Park Picks: Soaring Softly S. draws capacity crowd on May 28

Beautiful Belmont Park in Elmont, New York is heading towards the end of the Triple Crown Trail in early June. Now that the Preakness Stakes is safely tucked away, it is time to point in less than 3 weeks to the Belmont Stakes ... NYRA's big day! What a 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 races ... so, enjoy! Today, 10 handicapping contests on tap, with the Grade 3 Soaring Softly Stakes as the "feature." 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 Saturday 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 8: Stage Raider #9, 3/1):

In this tough-looking OC62.5kn2x match for 3-yr-olds and up, I would not hesitate to wager on one of Chad Brown’s entries. I like this colt by Pioneerof the Nile, over his well-known stablemate, Highly Motivated #2. Through the spring, Brown had the 4-yr-old against some classy foes at Gulfstream Park and at Keeneland. After that last race, his conditioner shipped him to the Oklahoma track up at Saratoga to complete his work tab. He gets Irad Ortiz once again, and he should be a good price on the tote on Saturday afternoon. Getting on or close to the lead, breaking from that outside gate, seems to be in order …

Wagering Recommendation: $100 Win, #9

Off-the-Pace Play of the Day: (Race 5: Mozay #4, 9/2):

HOF trainer Bill Mott has this 4-yr-old filly by the well-thought-of Uncle Mo headed back to the post against maiden company. She has 5 lifetime starts, and is still looking for that elusive score. The time is right, as jockey Manny Franco takes over the piloting duties from Jose Ortiz. I like her chances because I am hoping her M/L odds will drift above 9/2. If that is the case, then she is worth a hefty wager. She wasn’t $350k at the Fasig Sale back in August of 2019 for nothing.

Wagering Recommendation: $100 Bankroll, Graduated Wager WPS #4 ($10-W, $15-P, $75-S)

Spotlight Race of the Day: (Race 9: Turf, 7F, Soaring Softly S. (G3), $100k, 3F):

With a full-field, this Grade 3 race on the Belmont Widener Turf Course is easily going to be the best race of the weekend to play. You have a dozen 3-yr-old fillies, plus an AE, so the right wager could pay handsomely. When it comes to a top selection, I know that Christophe Clement’s outfit is rolling along nicely, especially when it comes to the grass. For that reason alone, I am pretty keen to back his 3-yr-old filly by Quality Road. Derrynane #9 impressed me last time out at Keeneland in the Limestone S. $200k when she tried to get up against Wesley Ward’s Ruthin. Joel Rosario asked the fabled question, and his mount just did not have quite enough. In her defense, she was making her 1st start of the year, coming off a ’21 campaign that ended with the BC Juvenile Turf Sprint (G2). I happen to think that she can go longer, and wants to. Her trainer has given her some works under her saddle coming back to Belmont, and Rosario is once again aboard. Let’s use her on top, and roll the rest of the field underneath for a juicy Exacta Wheel. If a longer price comes in … we score! Should be a fun one to wager on and watch … don’t forget the AE!

Wagering Recommendation: $2 Exacta Wheel, 9 w 1/2/3/4/5/6/7/8/10/11/12/13AE

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

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