Day 2 of the Belmont Stakes Racing Festival boasts 4 stakes races, a pair each on the Saratoga dirt and turf. No luck here on opening day, but a couple of runners from my Keeneland efforts in April are back on Thursday and provide me a bit more comfort level. Let's build momentum to the weekend.
Saratoga | Race 4 | 2:19 pm ET
#4 Tales of the Heart (3-1 morning line odds) was buried inside in a capacity field of turf sprinters at Keeneland, stymied and still came with a big run in her US debut. Group stakes-quality filly in Britain prior and should be tough to beat here. Win bet #4. Exacta 4-11.
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Saratoga | Race 6 | 3:26 pm ET
#2 Table Flirt (5-1 morning line odds) is well-drawn inside for the 1-mile start and exits a much tougher race May 2. That heat was won with flashy ease by Shred the Gnar, who will be among the favorites in Friday's Grade 1 Acorn. This filly made a run at her in make-up mode before her rival kicked in the afterburners. Win bet #2. Exactas 2 with 4,8,9. Daily Double 2-6 to next selection.
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Saratoga | Race 7 | 4:02 pm ET
#6 Pipsy (6-1 morning line odds) really caught my eye visually at Keeneland in her April return win (pictured). She steps back up in class to face tougher but was consistently in quality stakes levels in previous seasons. Win bet #6.