Belmont analysis for Sat., May 2
Dave Litfin ,
Belmont Park
Belmont analysis for Sat., May 24
FIRST RACE ST MOOSE has returned in good form, posting paired 89 Beyers; may benefit from initial race over the track. SON OF A GENERAL comes off fastest race of career when claimed from May 7 return; must avoid a bounce. MOE MAN haltered from both starts this year, now coupled with RUSH NOW, who is 4-2-0 from six starts at the distance.
SECOND RACE SUAVE AND SMOOTH is lightly raced and improving; comes off best try yet first time over the track and at the distance. GINGEE is 0 for 22 but may be best of the rest. MUSIC MAID was beaten a dozen lengths by Gingee in last, gets Lasix now.
THIRD RACE SANTA ELF matched lifetime Beyer top in last, appears best if race goes to dirt. On turf, LOVEISHEARTANDSOUL relished stretch to route for maiden win last fall; victimized by slow pace in seasonal finale. TOY CANNON was blanked in 2013 while grabbing four silver medals; consistent sort fired fresh first time last year.
FOURTH RACE DAWLY has been a gem of consistency, rates edge over Parx specialist CRUSHING and hard-to-gauge MR PALMER if race goes to dirt, Otherwise, BLACK ONYX is assumed fit and ready first out since 2013 Spiral win; new trainer excels with layoff turfers. ADMIRAL PERRY boasts 90-91 Beyer tops turf, dirt & synthetic; should be peaking third out this year.
FIFTH RACE HOT SQUEEZE was toughened up with two races in April, the latest a hard-fought try in Pimlico stakes; slight edge. AESTHETIQUE left a favorable impression demolishing maidens this course last fall; threat for live outfit. FANCY BOSS may prove a prescient claim after big win on this layout vs. lesser first time back.
SIXTH RACE SAYTHREEHHAILMARY’S passed horses at each call despite some traffic in promising debut; extra ground suits. KELLY’S PRIZE repeats turf-to-dirt switch that produced a third at 14-1 last summer. MAURA’S PASS is a homebred from top barn; not meeting any world-beaters.
SEVENTH RACE DAN AND SHEILA is third off the bench and would likely have to catch REGULUS in the event of a surface switch. On turf, HYMAN ROTH may appreciate recent rains judging from 8-1 win on yielding Widener turf at this distance. MISSISSIPI DUEL is a dual seven-furlong winner on this course, and freshened since brief winter campaign.
EIGHTH RACE GROOMEDFORVICTORY likely found latest a tad short, but is 10 for 22 at today’s distance; tops in wins & earnings. COUSIN MICHAEL has been sharp in three starts since claimed; completes formidable entry. EFFINEX is back to reality after ill-advised start in the Wood Memorial. CALL FOR THE CLOCK dangerous if able to replicate his form at Aqueduct.
NINTH RACE FITFUL SKIES may catch favorable footing on rain-softened ground after useful effort in too-short Jenny Wiley to begin the season; reprise of E.P. Taylor can get it. ABACO also favored by recent rains, though somewhat questionable going this far. IRISH MISSION should improve stretching out second time for Christophe Clement, who has won multiple renewals of the Sheepshead Bay, including Discreet Marq last year.
TENTH RACE BEYOND EMPIRE is second time back from an extended absence after good effort at Aqueduct; call in wide open finale. HERE COMES TOMMY usually gets a share, and although 1-7-2 from 19 trips, is better than most of these. HERE HE FITZ is in peak form, which is to say, he is much improved since running second to 1-for-48 CAT MAN FU in mid-winter.