Churchill Downs and Belmont at Aqueduct Picks:
It’s time to start up the Kentucky Derby trail once again! We’ve got our first points races for the colts and fillies at Churchill Downs and a big card from Belmont at Aqueduct which includes a $300,000 carryover into the late Pick 5! Let’s look at today’s Churchill Downs and Belmont at Aqueduct picks.
Iroquois Stakes, Churchill Downs, Race #10
The Iroquois always seems to be a wild race. You’ve got a full field of twelve horses with just two of them who have traveled today’s one-mile distance. A plethora of speed is signed on again today, just like years past, and it could set up for a collapse. #10 Jonathan’s Way was one of the big debuts at Saratoga this summer, coming from off the pace after a rough break. When you have this much speed signed on, it’s nice to know that you have a horse that doesn’t need the lead, and the price is right at 9/2 on the morning line.
The favorite, #5 Owen Almighty, is 2 for 2 for trainer Brian Lynch and beat stakes company last time out. He’s a logical pick, but he has been on the lead in both races, and it will be tough to go wire-to-wire against this field.
#7 Sandman was another big winner at Saratoga on second asking. He was able to come from off the pace and win at seven furlongs, a style that bodes well today. Jose Ortiz takes the mount today after being on board in the debut where he was heavily bet. He’s got talent.
#6 Strummin is the most experienced horse in the field and has the right style to upset the field. He will be rolling late and needs the pace to come back to him, but we have seen crazier things happen, and I don’t mind that 12-1 price one bit.
Churchill Downs Picks: 10-5-7-6
Bets: $50 Win #10
Jockey Club Oaks Invitational, Belmont at Aqueduct, Race #10
Eleven horses head postward in the fourth leg of the late Pick 5, which features the aforementioned carryover. #4 Beautiful Love was disappointing in her debut in the United States for Charlie Appleby, but she drew outside that day and had no pace to chase. The trip should be exponentially better today and so should the outcome.
#7 Lady Mary ships in from Germany for new trainer Jack Sisterson and jumps directly into stakes company. She has handled herself well in multiple group stakes overseas and should love the distance.
Speed can steal these races on the front end and that’s what #10 Macanga will try to do. She is the clear speed and showed two races back that she can wire a good field. The price is right at 10-1 as well.
#9 Mixologist ran huge last time out from the far outside to close into second. She will need Macanga to go crazy up front and come back to the pack, so a win is probably not in the cards, but she is live for the trifecta.
Belmont at Aqueduct Picks: 4-7-10-9
Bets: $50 Win #4
Spot Plays:
Belmont at Aqueduct Race #6 – $50 Win #6
Belmont at Aqueduct Race #5 – $50 Exacta 7-1
