Belmont Park Picks: Closing Day arrives on July 10

Stars and Stripes Day at NYRA's Belmont Park was a fabulous set. Now it is time to wrap-up the Meet in style with a Sunday card that Includes 9 races for your betting enjoyment. Our turfwriter and resident 'capper has your back. It should be another great day in Elmont! 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: Market Alert #5, 5/2):

The Saginaw Stakes on Sunday will serve as the “feature,” wrapping up another successful Belmont Meet. When it comes to a “deserving favorite” in this spot, none looks better than the Ryerson Barn entry. A gelding by D’Funnybone (who also happens to be a NY homebred), he has the class edge against a group like this one. Coming back to the track at Belmont, he has the form after running against AOC Co. He did not have the chance to do much running against Highly Motivated and Stage Raider last time, so this should be a resounding victory with Jose Ortiz in the irons.

Wagering Recommendation: $100 Win, #5

Off-the-Pace Play of the Day: (Race 7: Met in Miami #7, 10/1):

Looking for a “value play” on Sunday, I landed on this filly by Upstart that has not had much of a chance to run on the grass. Trainer Graham Motion knows his business when it comes to the green, and I am expecting this entry to make a big splash at Belmont. Her last opportunity on the lawn was negated when the 1¼ ALLW Co. race was taken off at Churchill. Joel Rosario climbs aboard again, and when he rode her two-back at Keeneland, she ended up 3rd behind Federalist Papers. I have a suspicion that she is much more talented than this record reflects. If you could get 10/1 on her … that qualifies as a square price.

Wagering Recommendation: $100 Bankroll, Graduated Wager WPS #7 ($10-W, $15-P, $75-S)

Spotlight Race of the Day: (Race 6: Turf, 1 Mile, OC62.5kn2x, F&M 3+):

The spotlight shines on this field that looks to have the makings of being a superb betting race on the quirky Widener Turf Course. For my money, I want to try and beat the M/L favorite, Zainalarab #7. There is no question that Chad Brown runners will take significant money because … they win. You cannot always play the percentages, and even with another “Brown” entry like Nevisian Sunrise #2 is present, I am content to look elsewhere. When it comes to a top choice, I am pretty keen on backing Neil Drysdale’s Miss Dracarys #5. The SoCal-based trainer ships his runners into specific spots, and he has had this filly by Malibu Moon at NYRA tracks since last summer. She has had some success, and even though there has not been a victory (other than a win at Monmouth), the 4-yr-old has competed well. Expect her to be primed to take on this turf group. The best news is that leading rider Dylan Davis gets aboard, and his skills in the saddle have snowballed nicely over this past year. His job will be to keep his mount just off the front … if that happens, he should be able to make a nice run in the end. Here is how I will be playing this race …

Wagering Recommendation: $2 Exacta Wheel, 5 w 2/7

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