BEL: $60K C/O (4th-9th)

[Kasept]

The 138th running of the Belmont Stakes may lack some star power this year, but a solid undercard featuring five more graded stakesand a spirited wagering menu should make for an enjoyable afternoon at America's Ascot...

R1: EX, TRI, DD
R2: EX, QUI, TRI, P3 (2-3-4), P4 (2-3-4-5)
R3: EX, TRI, P3 (3-4-5)
R4: EX, QUI, TRI, P3 (4-5-6)
R5: EX, TRI, P3 (5-6-7)
R6: EX, TRI, P3 (6-7-8), P6 (6-11)
R7: EX, TRI, P3 (7-8-9), Grand Slam (7-8-9-10)
R8: EX, TRI, P4 (8-9-10-11)
R9: EX, TRI, Super, P3 (9-10-11), DD
R10: EX, TRI, Super, P4 (10-13), DD
R11: EX, TRI, Super, P3 (11-12-13), DD
R12: EX, TRI, DD
R13: EX, TRI, Super

Note that the track should be fast the majority of the day and the turf likely good at best, yielding at worst..


SELECTIONS--Belmont Park, 6/10/06


R1: Clm, 8.5f, 4+

1. #1 Neon Magic 5-2: Lake bay 4/2-1-1 BEL; just missed last
2. #7 Dual Jewels 6-1: Contessa on roll; Velasquez took photo with this one
A. #5 Light Night 8-1
B. #8 Sir Tyler T 7-2


R2: MSW, 6.5f, 3+

1. #1 Spring at Last 5-1: Well meant Pletcvher firster
2. #6 Fly Now 7-2: Zito's Toga trainees running well
A. #7 Calculated Risk 3-1: Phipps homebred working well for return
B. #2 Sandy's Blitz 30-1: Serpe Forestry faced toughies; gets Leparoux


R3: OC/N2x, 7f, 3+

1. #6 Freedom Isn't Free 7-2: Just missed this level in '06 debut
2. #3 Satsoof 5-2: Godolphin bay solid in NA debut
A. #7 Lieutenant Danz 12-1: Toss previous and Contessa adds Bejarano
B. #5 Aristocrat 4-1: Frankel-Stronach bay overcame KEE bias last


R4: Alw/N1x, 7f, NYB-3+

1. #9 He's a Lumberjack 9-5: Faced open stakes company credibly
2. #8 Precise Action 2-1: Violette hot and red always fires
A. #3 Long Lost Pal 8-1
B. #1a Unconcerned 10-1


R5: OC/N1x, 6f, 3+

1. #2 Cool Springs Saint 4-1: Away since Nov., but tough if ready
2. #9 Lively Yourself Up 12-1: Gelding regularly earns smaller checks
A. #1 Saratoga Jet 8-1: Dutrow state-bred on 4 race tear; tries open
B. #3 Afrashad 5-2: Smoke Glacken red gone 23 months; gets Lasix


R6: 28th True North H. (Gr. II), $200k, 6f, 3+

1. #5 Spanish Chestnut 4-1: Square number on solid comeback player
2. #1e Tiger/Voodoo: 6-5: Jerkens doublely eligible with these
3. #4 Celtic Innis 12-1 Scored with this Ritvo gelding Preakness Day


R7: 13th Just a Game (Gr. II), $300k, 1m-T, F&M-3+

1. #2 Gorella 6-5: Imposing chestnut faces males gamely; should cruise
2. #5 Mirabilis 5-1: Derby Day Gr. III winner gets GoGo; stalks
3. #4 Bright Abundance 15-1: Adding exotic value with Clement Gr. III winner


R8: 1st Woody Stephens (or 22nd Riva Ridge) Gr. II, $250k, 7f, 3 yo's

1. #9 Songster 3-1: Right back after monster Hirsch Jacobs
2. #2 Likely 6-1: Biancone listed winner gets plus pace scenario
A. #4 Fabulous Strike 12-1: Sharp gelding from savvy Philly helmsman
B. ##6 Doc Cheney 12-1: Red was cut out to be nice; Chased Bernardini


R9: 76th Acorn, Gr. I, $250,000, Fillies-3 yo, 1m

1. #8 Hello Liberty 6-1: Clever Jones prepped with Gr. II Nassau win
2. #9 Ermine 4-1: Wiseguy KY Oaks runner-up found world of trouble
A. #2 Adieu 2-1: No shame finishing between Joint Effort/Smart n Pretty last
B. #7 Teammate 6-1: Jerkens' Bonnie Miss winner missed earlier target race


R10: 105th Manhattan, Gr. I, $400,000, 3+, 10f-IT

1. #4 Cacique 3-1: .5 length behind 'Channel' in Turf Classic
2. #8 English Channel 5-2: Tough to seperate these 2 classy grassys
A. #3 Sabre d'Argent 20-1: Over head, but Albertrani must think he's ready
B. #2 Relaxed Gesture 5-1: Desert flop aside, a consistent performer


R11: 138th Belmont Stakes, Gr. I, $1,000,000, 12f, 3 yo

1. #7 DEPUTY GLITTERS 15-1: Unique opportunity for heartbroken rider of Barbero Prado and under-lauded Bernardini trainer Albertrani to combine on pair of Classic Double wins. Had better-than-it looked try in Derby and adds winner of 2 "test of the Champion". Owns speed AND tactical option while being one of the few proven commodities available at a price.

2. #11 STEPPENWOLFER 9-2: Show of morning speed an eye-opener last week, and Dan Pietz' Aptitude grey certain to be striding when most others are begging for the line. Has been expertly handled all spring. Horse most likely to hit board.

3. #2 SUNRIVER 4-1: Given circumstances of M/M Jones' homebred being denied Derby saddlecloth, have to believe Pletcher has this Peter Pan winner ready to explode in this spot. Simple as that..

4. #8 JAZIL 10-1: McLaughlin thrilled with progress of pocket rocket that quashed the naysayers in Derby DH 4th, and no reason to think Seeking the Gold bay doesn't at least finish as well at 12f as he did 10. As sweet a colt as you'll ever meet, and another that can jazz the gimmicks.


R12: MSW, 9f-IT, 3+

1. #3 Mantle 7-2: $400k Grand Slam from Pletcher just missed last
2. #6 Ace on the River 12-1: Toner's TGulch bay looks like he's catching on
A. #5 Carson's Band 5-1: Possible lone speed under good Mig
B. #7 Tiz Stormin 15-1: Hough tough 2nd career effort (23% W, 59 % ITM)


R13: MSW, 6f, NYB-3+

1. #6 First Expression 8-1: Take shot that Leparoux makes the difference
2. #9 Crafty Drive 3-1: Tries 2nd career for NYRA exec Duncker, Hauswald
A. #3 Peconic Bay 6-1:
B. #2 Midtown South 7-2:


Best of luck to all..

Enjoy Belmont Day!

Steve Byk