Pick 4 of the Week: Belmont Park Saturday, November 7
Sea Strike dominated the Curlin S. in his stakes and two-turn debut (Photo by Coglianese Photos)
Three of the four black-type races on Saturday's Belmont Park card will be the first three legs of the exciting late Pick 4 sequence.
Race 7 Wager
- 50-cent Pick 4: all with 6,9 with 7, with 1,2,5,6,8 ($50)
Race 7 – Carle Place S.
A cast of 10 three-year-olds will dash six furlongs on the inner lawn in a competitive contest to kick off the wager. I considered using eight of the 10 signed on to commence the sequence, but it makes more sense to me to click the ‘all’ button since I have a fairly strong opinion in the next two portions of the play.
Race 8 – Dwyer S.
The one-mile dirt test is far from a two-horse race, but I’ll stand pat with a duo of immensely talented sophomore colts in the deep second piece of the play. #9 Sea Strike (2-1) turned heads in his Curlin S. romp at Saratoga on Aug. 2, and his sixth-place finish after disputing the early lead in the subsequent Travers (G1) was not a poor showing. Chad Brown's pupil comes in fresh with a cutback in distance and looms large under Flavien Prat.
Unbeaten champion #6 Ted Noffey (8-5) faces a difficult return to the races after being off for 12 months, but the Pletcher trainee has been working for three months in advance of his return and could surely retain his unblemished mark with his best. John Velazquez will take the reins.
Race 9 – Mother Goose (G2)
Sophomore fillies will jaunt 1 1/16 miles on the main surface in the afternoon's lone graded tilt. #7 Bodacious Bay (5-2) was an easy winner of the Cotillion S. (G1) at Parx in her latest venture and is the clear one to beat in her local debut. While I find it interesting that Joseph also has two other entrants in the field, I am having a difficult time seeing past the daughter of Not This Time with Micah Husbands in the silks. She will be a single for me, and many others, too.
Race 10 – Maiden Claiming
A full field of New York-bred three-year-olds will run six furlongs on the inner turf in the finale. Wesley Ward’s #1 Plan On It (7-2) chased lone speed on the main surface at Saratoga in his unveiling and might be the one to catch in his grassy bow. Antonio Fresu will ride the Audible gelding.
I’ll also add #2 I’m Not Surprised (20-1), #5 Engraved (4-1), #6 Snickery (5-1), and #8 Make a Prediction (8-1), to conclude the play.
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