Belmont Park Picks: Late P5 includes 1st leg of Turf Triples on July 9

Stars and Stripes Day at NYRA's Belmont Park is ready to fire off some great races. Included on the 11-race card are the 1st legs of the Turf Triple ... the G1 Belmont Derby for colts and the G1 Belmont Oaks. Our turfwriter and resident 'capper will examine both of these contests, and also rundown the rest of the Late Pick 5. It should be another great day in Elmont, as the last Saturday of the Meet comes to an end. 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 !!!

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LATE PICK 5 …

LEG 1: (Race 7: Turf, 1¼, Belmont Oaks Invitational (G1), $700k, 3F)

The opening leg of the Late Pick 5 sequence at Belmont pits some tough fillies against one another in what is the opening salvo for them in the Turf Triple. There are many directions you can go in here, but let’s face it, the Euros are coming! I am sure Chad Brown and Brendan Walsh think that they are prepared, but I think the likes of Charlie Appleby’s With The Moonlight #4, Joseph O’Brien’s Agartha #9, and his father’s entry, Concert Hall #10, are just better. Out of these, I am sure Aidan O’Brien’s charge will be very tough when the top of the lane opens. A daughter of Dubawi (IRE), she was up against a tough group in the Pretty Polly S. (G1) at The Curragh (IRE) just a few weeks ago. If she doesn’t mind some firmer footing, and the plane ride over, then Ryan Moore could have his way in the end. As far as a top selection though, I am even more intrigued by Francis Graffard’s Know Thyself #8. If you are not familiar with this French trainer, then you have been missing out. He works hard at his trade, and I think this filly by Galileo (IRE) is on the make. The distance should not be an issue, and the addition of Julien Leparoux (with his experience) looks to be a superb choice. I will be using all 4 of these European imports, and that should give us a chance to move on …

Selections: 4/8/9/10 (4-Deep)

LEG 2: (Race 8: Dirt, 6½F, Victory Ride S. (G3), $150k, 3F)

The 3-yr-old filles are back on the track for this second leg of the LP5, and we have a salty group that will be contesting this sprint distance. Out of this bunch, I am particularly interested to see how Todd Fincher’s daughter of Midnight Lute takes to “Big Sandy.” The New Mexico-based conditioner does not venture to the Northeast, so it is a real treat to see Smash Ticket #2 make the trip. Last year, this one brought Fincher his 1st win at Del Mar. She is incredibly fast, and he trained her to break alertly. Having HOF jockey Mike Smith in the irons cannot hurt either. I want to use her on top in many of my tickets, but I also respect the running style of Norm Casse’s Pretty Birdie #5, and Rudy Rodriguez’s Hot Peppers #6. Both of these speedsters have similar early ability, and that means that we could be looking at a speed duel on the engine. Any one of these 3 can win a race like this one … whoever wins the battle of the gate … probably gets the prize.

Selections: 2/5/6 (3-Deep)

LEG 3: (Race 9: Turf, 1¼, Belmont Derby Invitational (G1), $1 million, 3)

The “highlight” of the Saturday card probably anywhere in the country is this race … the Derby. As I said a few days ago in my “Preview” of this race, I am willing to put a significant amount of cash down on Charlie Appleby’s Nations Pride #10. You can try and beat this colt by Teofilo (IRE), but I do not think it is going to happen. Gettting Frankie Dettori to come to ride at Belmont is a real treat because his talent and personality are probably second-to-none. A Godolphin homebred, Dettori’s mount was excellent 2 races back at Newmarket (GB) in late April (same distance as this race). He was up against a very tough field in the ensuing Cazoo Derby (G1) during Epsom’s massive weekend, and I think no one can fault him for ending up 8th. He should appreciate the firmer turf course, especially considering he had such a strong record earlier in his career on the AW surface. Therefore, the trip to America should turn out in his favor, and that is why I think he is a clear “Single.”

Selections: 10 (Single)

LEG 4: (Race 10: Turf, 7F, MSW75k, 3+, NY breds)

If you thought that the 3 prior races were a challenge, then do not rest too long because this state bred race on the grass is equally as hard. You could make a strong case for Linda Rice’s entry, Feathers Road #5. This gelding by Quality Road makes a ton of sense because he just missed last time out at Belmont against similar company on the grass. Regular rider Jose Lezcano gets the call, and he has the opportunity to rectify that latest loss. I do not have the guts to “Single” a runner like this one, especially against a tough field like this. So … I also want to include Tom Morley’s new acquisition, Brady's Legacy #6, Chad Brown’s moxie-laden Salt Cay #7, and finally, Mark Hennig’s experienced Excursionniste #11. All 3 of these entries have plusses, and they are ridden by the likes of Tyler Gaffalione, Manny Franco, and Luis Saez. We shall see if any of them can come up with the score. What a tough way to head towards the backend of this ticket …

Selections: 5/6/7/11 (4-Deep)

LEG 5: (Race 11: Turf, 6F, Clm30kn2L, 3+)

It would not be a finale of a Late Pick 5 without a turf event that is a major toss-up. Sure, you could give the nod to Wesley Ward’s Sheriff Bianco #5 and just be done with it. However, while I trust the power of this conditioner (especially when he gets together with Tyler Gaffalione), I think that a race like this just has too many factors that can come into play. If you could afford to “caveman it,” then by all means. The reason Ward’s entry is highly touted is the gelding by Speightster is facing a class drop. He certainly can win, but I am not so sure that his 2nd start of ’22 is a cinch. Let’s include him, but when it comes to a top choice, I would not overlook Leah Gyarmati’s Giramonte #4. Part-owned by the trainer, this gelding by Tizway is making his 3rd start of the cycle. In his last state bred contest, he was a massive price at 34/1. That was an ALLW Co. try, and now coming back to the claiming level, this might be the relief he needs. Eric Cancel can pull some rabbits out of his hat, and make no mistake, he will need to do it aboard this runner. That should give us a strong option against the Ward favorite … What a Pick 5 Saturday this one is going to be!

Selections: 4/5 (2-Deep)

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Ticket: 4-8-9-10 / 2-5-6 / 10 / 5-6-7-11 / 4-5

.50 LP4 TICKET COST: $48.00

Enjoy the final Saturday of the Meet from Elmont, New York! The tradition at beautiful Belmont is a wrap … And, be sure to follow us on Twitter … @Horseracing_USA !!!