Belmont Park Picks: Playing the Late P4 on May 14

Beautiful Belmont Park is about to enter the weekend of superb racing! NYRA's "Big Sandy" in Elmont, New York is pointing towards the end of the Triple Crown Trail in early June.

From Opening Day through the Belmont Stakes Program, and into July, it is going to be another great set of cards ... so, enjoy! Today, 11 races are on tap, including 4 that have stakes implications. Turfwriter J.N. Campbell covers the Late Pick 4 Ticket, which includes both the Grade 1 Man o' War Stakes, and the Grade 3 Peter Pan Stakes. Do not miss out!

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 4 …

LEG 1: (Race 8: Turf, 1 3/8ths, Man o’ War S. (G1), $700k, 4+)

As we welcome another Belmont Saturday, it is time to get after the Late Pick 4 ticket together! I have an affordable play that is worth a look ... With 3 of the 4 races being “stakes” quality, that makes for some fun ‘capping. This opening leg brings together 6 distance turfers, but let’s make no bones about it … this is a contest between Christophe Clement’s Gufo #2 and Charlie Appleby’s Yibir (GB) #3. Of these, I am all-in on backing Appleby’s classy son of Dubawi (IRE). The Godolphin homebred might have missed in his 2 starts this year, but those were very tough international affairs in Dubai (UAE), and at Newmarket (GB). I know Clement’s son of Declaration of War is going to be tough to handle, but my sense is that he cannot match the late turn-of-foot of the Appleby ace. William Buick makes the trip over, and he is going to have quite a 24hrs … he will be hopping a flight to France to ride Modern Games the next day. This is the perfect spot to “Single,” which will assist us as this sequence begins to take shape.

Selections: 3 (Single)

LEG 2: (Race 9: Dirt, 1 1/8th, Peter Pan S. (G3), $200k, 3)

This year’s edition of the “Pan” is a challenging race to handicap, but I am zeroed in on yet another “Single.” I know Todd Pletcher’s Complete Agenda #3 has potential, and Rudy Brisset has an uncoupled entry that could surprise … However, for my money, I want to support Chad Brown’s Electability #2. The Klaravich colt is coming into Belmont on a 2-race win streak, and he is looking for more. He has shown the ability to go a mile, and I don’t see why he couldn’t get this distance. The rider switch to Irad Ortiz only strengthens the case, as does Brown’s proclivity to score in races like these at NYRA. When this pair team-up, they can roll over almost anyone. Looking over the back half of the LP4, I am going to need to go deeper … I already know that … So, I am somewhat relieved that I have such a strong set of opinions in these 2 races. Let’s move right along, trusting that the son of Quality Road can get the job done. Belmont Stakes bound, if he passes this test? Hmm …

Selections: 2 (Single)

LEG 3: (Race 10: Turf, 1 1/16th, Beaugay S. (G3), $150k, F&M 4+)

It would be pretty simple to just pick one of Chad Brown’s latest acquisitions, and be done with it. Yep, another “Single.” However, I am not so sure that Rougir (FR) #1 is a lock to win the Grade 3 Beaugay S. The 4-yr-old filly by Territories (IRE) sold for a whopping $3.3 million last year to Peter Brant and Michael Tabor … a couple of titans when it comes to Thoroughbred ownership. Even though their new acquisition was 7th in the Breeders’ Cup Filly and Mare Turf (G1), he was coming off a major victory in the Prix de l’Opera (G1) at Longchamp (FR) in early October. With Flavien Prat in the irons, she is going to be tough to tackle. I think I can beat her with either Chad Brown’s own layoff runner in Lemista (IRE) #2, or Jorge Abreu’s long shot, Runaway Rumour #5. The former is totally logical because she was in this exact spot last year, as she made her North American debut for her trainer. Since then, she has only raced a couple of other times (Saratoga/Arlington). The services of Irad Ortiz are a check to Prat’s ability, and she has the potential to exhibit some nice turn-of-foot, late in the game. I want to include Abreu’s runner because of all the entries; this daughter of Flintshire (GB) (a sire who you would think would have a strong turf record, but does not) has the best record at Belmont on the turf. She clearly takes to the grass, and even though her record is sorely lacking, she has some nice class lines that deserve some respect. You never know what kind of magic Jose Lezcano can wield in situations like this … and the price is going to be boxcar-esque. My 2 picks should give us the chance to take home this particular leg, and afford us the ability to go deeper in the nightcap. Wait till you see that race!

Selections: 2/5 (2-Deep)

LEG 4: (Race 11: Turf, 7F, ALLW80n1x, F&M 3+, NY Breds)

Before John’s sign-off, we have a tough sprint-route on the always-challenging Widener Turf Course … not for the faint of heart, folks! When it comes to a top selection, I am pretty interested in the exploits of Tony Dutrow’s Palace Gossip #9. This filly by Palace Malice ran nicely at Aqueduct once they removed the turf blankets from the grass course. She was always in that ALLW race, but just did not have enough in the end to close it out. Eric Cancel knows what this one can do, and she has the tactical ability to either get to the lead or find a spot 2-3 off-the-pace for a ground-saving trip. Let’s use this one, but I also like the ability of Christophe Clement’s Autumn Glory #11, Mike Trombetta’s Dufresne #7, George Weaver’s Finest Work #6, and Mike Maker’s Rigby #4 … each of these is either on-the-make from MSW Co., or is looking to drop out of a more pressure-packed race. I think any one of these runners could win, and that makes me confident that we are covered. Let’s go get this ticket cashed …

Selections: 4/6/7/9/11 (5-Deep)

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Ticket: 3 /2 / 2-5 / 4-6-7-9-11

.50 LP4 COST: $5.00

Enjoy some action from Elmont, New York! The tradition at beautiful Belmont Park continues… Be sure to follow us on Twitter … @Horseracing_USA !!!