Belmont Park 04 June 2008
Instructions
Please click on the “View Full Racecard & Odds” button to get the full racecard information.
SNEAKY GIRL let her backers down last time when edged out in the same grade over track and trip, but for the second time in three starts she did enough to attract the attention of new owners and moved stables. She has winning form at this track and looks the most solid option in an open race. My Grecian Goddess has been in good form at Tampa in recent weeks and should play her part, while Holy Trouble moves down in grade.
JOPPA FLAT'S has had 19 chances to break his duck and the fact that he is yet to take one is concerning. But he came awfully close to doing just that in the same grade last time, where his chance would not have been helped by his apprentice rider losing his whip in the closing stages. He is given one more chance. Premium Gold had little chance against Unbridled's Heart last time and is entitled to plenty of respect against these. Gloss caught the eye on his debut last month.
COACH BUTTS appreciated the return to this trip when a staying-on second behind Giant Deputy last time out and he could prove a good each-way bet again. Saint Barr has let his supporters down in recent starts but returns to a level where he should go close. August Rex may have been undone by his lack of experience last time and is another to make appeal in an open contest.
GOODBYE LUCY arrives at Belmont as something of an unknown quantity, having landed a maiden claimer and an allowance race at Hawthorne on her two most recent starts. She lacks the experience of some of these rivals but clearly has ability and could make the move up to this grade a successful one. Fee Fi Fo Fum and Cherokee Queen represent bigger yards and both should figure, with the latter just preferred on the strength of her gutsy maiden win at Keeneland in April.
BLAIRSTOWN effectively blew his chance when stumbling out of the stalls here last month, but is worth a chance to gain compensation. A habitual frontrunner in recent outings, this return to 6f could suit. Aunt Marge has questions to answer having been pulled up when in contention at this track only a couple of weeks ago. Happens In Vegas ran well at this track in a higher grade last time and can't be ruled out.
BIG AL got within a head of landing a much better contest in November, he arrives here with the benefit of a recent reappearance outing under his belt and could be the one to be on in this heat. Poronui looks a serious threat following an encouraging racecourse debut and Zambezi Warrior has been knocking on the door.
So It Goes could have more to offer following his maiden success over C&D but that will need to be the case in this tougher event and the preference is for COMPROMISE. Second on both starts since his racecourse debut victory over C&D, he remains open to further progress and should be too hot for these. Holiday Trip rates next best.
Windy has competed at a higher level but he hasn't raced since November and could be worth taking on with SOLARANA, who finished over 10 lengths clear of the re-opposing Tight Storm (third) when a close second in a similar event over 6f here latest and should be better suited to this slightly longer trip.
Smarteralex and I'll Make It Up were very tough to split when second and third respectively over C&D latest and look sure to be in the shake-up again. Preference, however, is for HOWDYAMISSTHISONE who wasn't beaten far in a higher grade at Gulfstream last time out.
