Equidaily Racing Journal

Coast-to-coast

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Saturday, June 11, 2011
Picks and plays for some of the day's major stakes
by Seth Merrow


Turf selections/wagers are turf only

Best Bets

Belmont: Race 10... exacta box, Snow Top Mountain/Askbut I Won'ttell/Check the Label.
Churchill: Race 5, WP on Barn Cat.
Churchill: Race 5, exacta box, Barn Cat/Pegge's Treasures/Strike the Light/Lily the Pink, sub Young Lady if scratch.
Parx: Race 9, exacta box, R Holiday Mood/Strike the Moon.


Belmont: Acorn G1 $300K

Turbulent Descent...Has done very little wrong in her career. Only knock might be that her two dirt races are perhaps a notch below her other efforts.
Savvy Supreme...Worked for the win at a very short price last time - but with only three starts she's still learning.
Snow Fall...Seems better on dirt - but will have to prove it today against other dirt performers.
It's Tricky.

Wager: $5 exacta box top two.
...$1 tri key Turbulent Descent over next three.
...$1 tri key Savvy Supreme over other three.


Belmont: True North Hcp G2 $250K

This Ones for Phil...Tepid nod in a tough race.
Calibrachoa...Has reeled off three straight stakes win since the claim. This bunch should be his sternest test yet.
Trappe Shot...4YO debut was nice and he'll be tough if able to improve off of that.
Rule by Night.

Wager: ... $5 WP on This Ones for Phil.
...$2 exacta box top two.
...$1 exacta box top four.
...$1 tri box top four.


Belmont: Woody Stephens G2 $250K

Bold Warrior...Lightly-raced but regally-bred and trained by the legend.
Travelin Man...Likely fave but flop in first try outside of GP is a concern.
Justin Phillip...He'll get a stakes win one of these days.
JJs Lucky Train.

Wager: ... $5 WP on Bold Warrior.
...$2 exacta box top two.
...$1 exacta box top four.
...$1 tri box top four.


Belmont: Just a Game G1 $400K

Aviate...Two improving efforts since arriving form Europe.
Gypsy's Warning...Will contend.
Fantasia...Fifth in this race last year but seems to be coming into it this year in better form.
Cherokee Queen.

Wager: ... $5 WP on Aviate.
...$2 exacta box top two.
...$1 exacta box top four.
...$1 tri box top four.


Belmont: Manhattan Hcp G1 $400K

Viscount Nelson... Flopped in previous US try - but that was as a 2YO. Expect much better today.
Gio Ponti...Just missed in this race last year - he's the one to beat.
Prince Will I Am...Might need more distance to be at his best.
Straight Story.

Wager: ... $5 WP on Viscount Nelson.
...$2 exacta box top two.
...$1 exacta box top four.
...$1 tri box top four.


Belmont: Belmont G1 $1mil

Animal Kingdom...Has the look of the leader of the division and gets to prove it today.
Shackleford...Doesn't look like there's another to really push him early - which will make him tough late.
Nehro...Turning into a bit of a 'bridesmaid' - but might be ready to pop.
Master of Hounds...Hoping this guy might add some value to our plays - but he's 5-1 in Friday's early betting!
Mucho Macho Man.

Wager: ... $5 WP on Animal Kingdom.
...$2 exacta box top two.
...$1 exacta box top five.
...$1 tri box top four.


Monmouth: Rumson $75K

Zero Rate Policy...Big win here last time.
Razmataz...Pletcher trainee is already stakes tested.
Regal Revenge.

Wager: ... $5 exacta box top two.


Parx: Jostle $200K

Strike the Moon...Got some nice stakes education last time.
R Holiday Mood...Pletcher filly nipped the top pick last time.
A Story of Revenge...Lightly-raced but might be any kind.
Bold Affair.

Wager: ... $5 WP on Strike the Moon.
...$2 exacta box top two.
...$1 exacta box top four.
...$1 tri box top four.


Delaware: Obeah G3 $150K

Havre de Grace...She's not just the pro-tem leader of the division - according to NTRA voters, she's the best horse in the country! Should handle these.
Tiz Miz Sue...Nice win in prep for this.
Wager:...$4 exacta box top two.


Churchill: Mint Julpe Hcp G3 $100K

Check the Label...Lifetime best Beyer last time could signal she's an improved 4YO.
Snow Top Mountain...Couple of nice wins to start the season.
Askbut I Won'ttell...Capable on best.
My Baby Baby.

Wager: ... $5 WP on Check the Label.
...$2 exacta box top two.
...$1 exacta box top four.
...$1 tri box top four.


Hollywood: Affirmed G3 $100K

Awesome Patriot...Baffert trainee seems nicely spotted in this G3.
Runflatout...Showed some affinity for this track last time.
Coil...Gets tested today - but looks capable.
Spud Spivens.

Wager: $5 WP on Awesome Patriot. ...$2 exacta box top two.
...$1 tri key Awesome Patriot over next three.


Hollywood: Honeymoon Hcp G2 $150K

Star Billing...2-for-2 and could be a good one in the making.
Whisper Louise...US debut was good.
Cambina...Had win-streak broken last time. Could rebound with Talamo onbaord.
Entrustment.

Wager: ... $5 WP on Star Billing.
...$2 exacta box top two.
...$1 exacta box top four.
...$1 tri box top four.



If we are interested in both halves of an entry -- in event of a scratch -- it is noted that way [in other words, both halves are named]. If only one-half of the entry is named, then we prefer that half and will move to our next pick listed [rather than the other half of the entry] in event of a scratch.

Coast-to-coast Archives...Picks, plays and results from previous weeks

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