SEVENTH RACE

MY SASSY SARAH ran well in both turf sprints to begin her career last summer, including that sharp maiden win with a 79 Beyer, and she ran an excellent race to be in contention past midstretch of the Miss Grillo going longer; starts back sprinting with forward to go. NOBLE JEWEL has sprinted on turf only once so far, that in her debut where she sat a good trip and came with a game run through the stretch to prevail; ran okay going longer at the end of the year but may be better suited to this distance, at least for now. SPEIGHTSTOWN GAL had her debut rained off the turf and she was heavily-bet in that spot while prevailing in slow time; turns back after getting in way too tough in her first turf start.

EIGHTH RACE

GAMINE has much to prove still but she is living up to her big sticker price so far after winning her sprint debut on her own power and then stretching out to score with a 98 Beyer at Oaklawn last time; was getting a little desperate in that two-turn win but she found enough late and worth noting that her final time for the 8.5 furlongs was faster than both Endorsed (Race 5, 1:42.39, returned to finish 2nd in the Grade 3 Westchester with a 100 Beyer) and Moretti (Race 8, 1:42.90, returned to win the Flat Out with a 96 Beyer); way the horse to beat cutting back a bit. CASUAL a homebred by Curlin out of the multiple Grade 1 winner Lady Tak and she has looked a polished and professional filly while winning each of her first two starts with paired up 90 Beyers; settled and gamely came through between in the stretch to win first time out and she used her speed to secure the rail last time, before digging in gamely to turn away a late challenge. WATER WHITE was underrated as a 2yo and closed out that campaign with a game win in the Busher over this distance; must improve in the face of the top two but will be a price.

NINTH RACE

STUBBINS has won three of seven sprinting on turf so far but his losses have been some of his best performances, including that Breeders’ Cup run last November when stuck behind horses in last to the top of the stretch and finishing fast when finally getting room way too late; didn’t get through when he had the chance last time and it cost him late as he was shut off at a crucial moment; he’s tactical and has more upside than most in here. OLEKSANDRA

has defeated the boys before and she did it over this course and distance when rolling over allowance rivals last June to make it 2 for 2 at Belmont; Rosario fits this strong finisher perfectly and she made a nice run to be gaining on a talented rival off the layoff last month. KANTHAKA has been best on dirt so far but he didn’t run poorly at all while a no-threat 3rd in his turf debut when last seen; has a long layoff to overcome for his new trainer but has always shaped with potential and this Jaipur didn’t come up that strong.

TENTH RACE

MAX PLAYER may be biting off a bit more than he is ready for as he enters the Belmont following a layoff with only three starts behind him, but he has looked good every time so far with strong finishes being his calling card; the distance is no issue and he appears to be training forwardly for this, so will give him the chance to be this good in a Belmont Stakes that lacks the depth it looked like it might have a couple of months ago. TIZ THE LAW a dual Grade 1 winner and the clear horse to beat in this race at an expected short price; should be a good trip coming for this NY-bred, who stands out a bit vs. a field like this, but he really only has one figure that gives him a big edge and his two wins this year have come over very weak fields. SOLE VOLANTE prepped for this with an easy win ten days ago in which he got a contested pace to run at and never had to get all in to close it down; closer has run well in every one of his six starts to date and will be looking for some pace to set up his run; dangerous.

ELEVENTH RACE

ARGONNE failed to class up with better horses in his last two, though he raced pretty freely in the Bowling Green before weakening; was in good form prior to stepping up while putting good tactical speed into play and he was full of run through the stretch in winning that allowance here last June after taking control early; handy sort can continue his development if ready off the layoff. DIGITAL AGE was one of the better 3yo turf horses last year, though he didn’t win a race after going three for three to start, with the longer distances perhaps not really suiting him though the summer; did not care for the trip he got in the Hill Prince over this course and distance last October and he had no chance in the Hollywood Derby when bottled up on hold and finishing well too late in a pace-dominated race; dangerous but likely to be a short price vs. a good field. PILLAR MOUNTAIN has mostly disappointed while winning 2 of 7 since arriving stateside, despite getting several fast paces to run at in his races; may want longer than this and his running style is always a concern but has some ability and will be running late.