Belmont Park Thursday: June 9, 2022 Analysis, Selections

All eyes are on Belmont Park this week ahead of the Belmont Stakes. The racing week kicks off this Thursday with a 9 race card from Elmont, New York.

Belmont Stakes Updates

Tuesday saw the drawing of the field for the Belmont Stakes. Ethereal Road and Howling Time were both removed from the field. The former had an injury that made it unsafe for the horse to run. The latter will compete in the Matt Winn Stakes at Churchill Downs.

Quick Glance

• We the People was installed as the favorite from the rail, presumably largely due to his early speed which has been good in this race lately.
• The lone filly Nest drew the 3 post which should work with her tactical speed.
• Kentucky Derby winner Rich Strike drew the 4 hole. His style is to come from the back so in this small a field there really wasn't a bad draw to be had for him.
• Mo Donegal the 6 position and like Rich Strike will be trying to run them down late.

Thursday Full Card Analysis

Belmont Park Race 1

Post: 3:05 PM ET; Purse: $94,000 Allowance Optional Claiming, 7 Furlongs on Turf; Entries: 13

• #6 STAR ALIGNMENT (1.2-1) looks tough to beat here given the edge in a number of key categories including speed & power rating.
• #5 FAST ICE (4-1) is worth a look here given edges in record at the distance & form.
• #2 GAON FLAG (5-2) is proven as a good bet to at least hit the board under today's distance and surface conditions.
• #4 PROJECT THUNDER (9-2) looks to have to have kept the best company in the previous starts.

Selections: 6-5-2-4

Belmont Park Race 2

Post: 3:38 PM ET; Purse: $90,000 Maiden Special Weight, 1 Mile on Dirt; Entries: 8

• #2 BIG PAPER (7-2) is worth a look here given edges in race flow & pedigree
• #10 FIERCE ASSAULT (3-1) looks like a strong prospect edging the field in several key handicapping factors including connections & form.
• #3 SOLID COUNTRY GOLD (10-1) could surprise on debut. I don't love a lot in here so I like the lesser known commodities to score at a price.
• #1 MY FAVORITE UNCLE (6-1) should be competitive today based on the horse's speed & race flow.

Selections: 2-10-3-1

Belmont Park Race 3

Post: 4:09 PM ET; Purse: $200,000 Wonder Again S., About 1 1/8 Miles on Turf; Entries: 7

• #8 CACTUS FLOWER (2-1) is a major player in today's race edging the field in several key handicapping factors including speed & pace.
• #7 MI ESTRELLA (3-1) is worth a look here given edges in class & race flow.
• #4 IWANNABEPERFECT (5-1) is in with a great chance based on the horse's record at the distance & power rating.
• #6 TRAFALGAR SHORE (8-1) is in solid form and may have a shot to outrun the odds here.

Selections: 8-7-4-6

Belmont Park Race 4

Post: 4:40 PM ET; Purse: $75,000 Maiden Special Weight, 6 1/2 Furlongs on Dirt; Entries: 11

• #9 NO PROOF (4-1) looks formidable here given the edge in a number of key categories including speed & class.
• #11 SHINEONBRAD (5-2) is worth a look here given edges in record at the distance & pedigree.
• #6 PALMER'S PASS (5-1) is proven as a good bet to at least hit the board under today's distance and surface conditions.
• #7 CORIMA (8-1) has solid early pace and form to be a competitor here.

Selections: 9-11-6-7

Belmont Park Race 5

Post: 5:13 PM ET; Purse: $90,000 Maiden Special Weight, 5 Furlongs on Turf; Entries: 9

• #14 FAST SUMMER (2-1) goes out for good connections. The wide post is a concern, but this one should be well meant here.
• #1 BALLOT INITIATIVE (9-2) looks tough to beat here given the edge in a number of key categories including speed & class.
• #7 LIVY B (8-1) is proven as a good bet to at least hit the board under today's distance and surface conditions.
• #8 ALREADY CHARMING (2-1) could get a really nice pace setup in this spot.

Selections: 14-1-7-8

Belmont Park Race 6

Post: 5:43 PM ET; Purse: $150,000 Astoria S., 5 1/2 Furlongs on Dirt; Entries: 6

• #4 MCLAREN VALE (9-5) looks formidable here given the edge in a number of key categories including speed & class.
• #6 ALASDAIR (4-1) comes into the race signaling a big performance in the near future.
• 2 CAUSE TO CRUISE (2-1) is proven as a good bet to at least hit the board under today's distance and surface conditions.
• #3 FIRST GLIMPSE (6-1) has speed figures to be competitive in this race at a solid price.

Selections: 4-6-2-3

Belmont Park Race 7

Post: 6:15 PM ET; Purse: $92,000 Allowance, About 1 1/8 Miles on Turf; Entries: 9

• #9 HUNGARIAN PRINCESS (3-1) is a major player in today's race edging the field in several key handicapping factors including speed & power rating.
• #3 SHY MONEY (5-2) is worth a look here given edges in class & pace.
• #8 MISS DEPUTY STAR (10-1) has form lines to suggest this one will run big in this spot at nice odds.
• #5 ACUTELY (5-1) is in with a great chance based on the horse's connections & form.

Selections: 9-3-8-5

Belmont Park Race 8

Post: 6:45 PM ET; Purse: $150,000 Tremont S., 5 1/2 Furlongs on Dirt; Entries: 8

• #4 DOUBLE TUFF (2-1) is a major player in today's race edging the field in several key handicapping factors including speed & pedigree.
• #8 MAX EXPRESS (10-1) is a major player in today's race edging the field in several key handicapping factors including stamina & record at the distance. #2 GOOD SUGAR (10-1) is proven as a good bet to at least hit the board under today's distance and surface conditions.
• #1 STOP HAMMERTIME (7-2) has proven to run numbers good enough to be a live runner in this race.

Selections: 4-8-2-1

Belmont Park Race 9

Post: 7:15 PM ET; Purse: $45,000 Maiden Claiming, About 6 Furlongs on Turf; Entries: 12

• #2 APOLLITICAL B GIRL (12-1) merits consideration in this spot given edges in speed & pace.
• #1 AH ONE SPECIAL WAVE (5-2) is worth a look here given edges in class & connections.
• #3 BEACH FRONT (9-2) comes into the race signaling a big performance in the near future.
• #9 BV SELEECT BEACH (5-1) has run at this distance before and did manage to hit the board so that should make this one at least possible today.

Selections: 2-1-3-9

Selections: 2-1-3-9

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