Sunday, 6/14: Nick Tammaro's Belmont Analysis presented by RTN

[Kasept]

BELMONT – 6/14/2020

Race 1- 1st #3 GHOST ON A MISSION 2ND #8 FRIED RICE KING 3RD #6 ROAD HOME

#3 GHOST ON A MISSION has found his way to the worst part of the racetrack in both of his prior dirt starts
and now changes surfaces as a new gelding. The rail is regularly slower than any other part of the strip at
Gulfstream and he spent major portions on it in both February and March. The class drop, equipment change,
and likely better trip make him an interesting play at 6-1. #8 FRIED RICE KING was mixed up in a strong pace
last time out over the slop and now figures to be in stalk and pounce territory. While clearly not at the level his
connections expected, he is spotted well today for an improved run. #6 ROAD HOME is a plodding closer who
has shown no real ability and now drops in for a tag. He’s likely to be claimed and clearly faces weaker here,
but you get no value whatsoever.

Race 2- 1st #2 RADIANTRITHYM 2ND #10 MISS JAK 3RD #9 WHYISSHESOLUCKY

#2 RADIANTRITHYM ran a bang-up race last time out when 2nd after a slow break and now goes first off a
claim by Gary Gullo. This barn is 25% with dirt sprinters first off of claims ($2.45 ROI) and this veteran figures
to get a decent pace setup today. #10 MISS JAK is the model of consistency in that she has competed well at
all levels going back over 2 years. She drew favorably outside today to stalk and pounce and this barn is due
to start its tear in the claiming ranks any day now. #9 WHYISSHESOLUCKY is a longshot worth including in
the bottom of exotic tickets as she drops in class back to the level at which she was taken in December. This
late runner was up against it last time with no pace setup and you can toss the failed slop effort two back.

Race 3- 1st #6 LOGIC N REASON 2ND #1 LINNY KATE 3RD #3 LASHARA

#6 LOGIC N REASON is the interesting alternative to the favorites as she returns off a lengthy break for
Christophe Clement (17%, $2.08 ROI). This gal gets Lasix for the first time and her turf efforts showed marked
improvement last year. She can be forwardly placed in a race devoid of early zip. #1 LINNY KATE appears
as if she could be any kind given her impressive debut win over a number of rivals who improved their Beyer
figure in their next start. She has a cozy inside post and should be able to stalk and pounce. #3 LASHARA
was an impressive winner last time out against a decent field at Gulfstream. She is versatile in that she can be
closer to the pace than she was last time and hopefully her pilot has the confidence he did riding in Florida.

Race 4- 1st #4 OCEAN FIRE 2ND #1 MORE MANGO 3RD #3 SIMPLY MISS RED

If #4 OCEAN FIRE can’t get the job done here then she’ll be on a one-way trip to Delaware. She was the
victim of a poor ride last time out when dropped in for a tag and now meets a group that’s even softer than
what she met in Hallandale last month. #1 MORE MANGO appears to be the main threat to the top pick as
she drops in for a tag following a dull effort on debut at Tampa. The 3rd place finisher has since returned to
win, so there’s reason to believe that race was decent and this field is horrific. #3 SIMPLY MISS RED can be
forwardly placed if Eric Cancel so chooses, but the days when he was seen as an up and coming rider are
gone. This gal has competed fairly against tougher on the turf and is the 3rd option in a race dominated by the
top pair.

Race 5- 1ST #11 QUEENDOM 2ND #7 ELEGANT ROSE 3RD #10 REMEMBERING BOBBIE

Hold your nose and settle on #11 QUEENDOM who takes a big class drop into the conditioned claiming ranks
off a non-effort on turf. The bulky field and notable early speed signed up should help her cause. #7
ELEGANT ROSE is the one to catch under bug boy Romero Maragh, who has proven quite adept with
frontrunning types. This one also takes an enormous class drop and fits this condition like a glove. Look for
her to seize command early. #10 REMEMBERING BOBBIE has been competitive at this level and figures to
be in stalk and pounce territory from the start under the (usually) aggressive Kendrick Carmouche.

Race 6- 1st #4 SPIRIT ANIMAL 2ND #2 BLACKLINE 3RD #8 UHTRED

#4 SPIRIT ANIMAL returns off a break in for a tag for the first time. He’s spotted realistically by the circuit’s
top trainer, as it’s unlikely this guy could win a N2X around these parts. His 2019 finale was terrific as he
overcame a slow pace to register a game win. #2 BLACKLINE has the right post and past form to go in his
direction, but this trainer is not producing in NY. He is a late running type who’ll benefit from the likely strong
pace in here, so you have to include him in a Pick 5 play of any size. #8 UHTRED is another dropping in class
as he faces sellers for the first time since his debut win. The top two have a class edge having faced tougher,
but this on of English Channel looms a late threat for a hot barn.

Race 7- 1st #10 SCUTTLEBUZZ 2ND #5 JACK OF CLUBS 3RD #11 ON THE COUCH

#10 SCUTTLEBUZZ lands in a race loaded with pace and figures to move up on turf. His dam scored her two
wins on the grass and she dropped a couple of turf winners. #5 JACK OF CLUBS changes surfaces and can
be forwardly placed, which is always a plus in turf sprints. This son of Curlin is a half to a couple of turf
winners, so there’s reason to believe he’ll move up on the lawn and his connections tried to get him on the
grass last time out. #11 ON THE COUCH is a firster by top NY bred stallion Freud and there is turf pedigree
all over the dam side of this colt’s page. He hails from a top barn and has an aggressive pilot aboard.

Race 8- 1st #2 REGAL RETORT 2ND #8 FINDING FAME 3RD #6 HONOR WAY

#2 REGAL RETORT shows up every time and is clearly better on a dry racetrack. She’ll get one here off the
bench for Steve Asmussen and she has a major tactical edge on the likely favorite #8 FINDING FAME. That
Shug McGaughey trainee is a perfect 2-2 and returns to sprinting in a race where she likely won’t get a big
pace to run at late. There’s talent aplenty here, but there won’t be any value offered up. #6 HONOR WAY
was a game second to subsequent overnight stake winner Honey I’m Good last time out and returns to
Belmont, where she’s done her best work. If there’s any pace to speak of, she’ll benefit.

Race 9- 1st #6 CAPTAIN BOMBASTIC 2ND #4 DREAM BIGGER 3RD #2 CITY MAN

Cold barn or not, #6 CAPTAIN BOMBASTIC is the one to beat on his return to sprinting after acquitting
himself nicely twice against open company in Arkansas. Returns to scene of Sleepy Hollow victory last year.
#4 DREAM BIGGER is the one to beat off a handy win across town. Appears to be training well with Todd
Pletcher trainees and is the one to beat. #2 CITY MAN is another in dire need of a cutback in distance as he
returns from a break for the white-hot Christophe Clement barn. A stalk and pounce trip is in the offing.

Race 10- 1st #8 CHANTRY FLATS 2ND #1 RECKLESS SPIRIT 3RD #3 SHOOTIN THE BREEZE

#8 CHANTRY FLATS takes a monstrous class drop off a layoff being in for a tag for the first time and has the
tactical speed to stay close on a course that was decidedly kinder to frontrunning types yesterday. #1
RECKLESS SPIRIT gets a positive trainer change to Jimmy Bond and exits a game runner-up finish against
straight 3YOs when he moved prematurely. #3 SHOOTIN THE BREEZE is another in for a tag for the first
time and he has been well-backed at the windows despite no real accomplishments. This is the right fit classwise.

BELMONT MEET STATS: 50-12-4-9 $78.50 (Though 6/11)