Sunday marks the fifth and final day of the Belmont Stakes Racing Festival after Golden Tempo won his second Triple Crown race in last-to-first fashion under jockey Jose Ortiz. Today is not quite the same stakes-laden card as yesterday, but does include a pair of graded stakes. Here are the horses I like most to close things down until summertime at Saratoga.
Race 6:
This 2YO MSW event at 5.5-furlongs over the main track goes through second-time starter #9 Booked. The Yaupon colt went off the even-money favorite in his debut at Churchill Downs in late April before being shuffled back along the inside early, but rallying late to earn second. The move off the inside to an outside draw and the invaluable racing experience is likely to move the Steve Asmussen trainee forward, but the same can be said for #6 Beach Sandals. The Gary Barber homebred broke sharp, led early, and tired late to finish second in his debut in mid-May in Louisville. He lacked energy late in that first start, but that is certainly not a problem Mark Casse trainees have had this week in Saratoga Springs. In fact, the veteran conditioner won three Grade 1 events between Friday and Saturday. Beach Sandals could be set for big improvement as Johnny V takes over riding duties.
Play: #6 Beach Sandals (6-1 ML)
Race 7:
This optional claimer at 1 1/16-miles over the Inner Turf kicks off the late Pick 5 where #3 Gene and Jude looks like he should get a perfect trip after an easy win against non-winners of two foes at Churchill Downs in late April. The son of Kitten’s Joy was claimed last June by trainer Mike Maker and since then has hit the board in 3 of 5 starts, including his second career victory last out. The start before he went to the bench in December, Gene and June saw a trip limited by traffic issues, but that was not the case in Louisville when jockey Flavien Prat got the gelding into a favorable forward position and proved much best late. He meets a tougher group this afternoon, but should be poised for the class hike given his upside still and likely voyage.
Play: #3 Gene and Jude (7-2 ML)
Race 11:
The final race of the festival is this 6.5-furlong state-bred MSW event at 6.5-furlongs. #11 Irish Goodbye was made the 5-2-ML favorite by oddsmaker David Aragona after a pair of runner-up efforts as a 2YO for trainer Brad Cox. The Cairo Prince colt is obviously capable of beating this group, but at the same time is likely to be an underlay. So, I will try to beat him with #4 King Farro. The Robert Falcone Jr. trainee came back off a near 6-month break on May 10 at Aqueduct at one-mile where he was down on the rail in a tussle on a day where the outside was the better place to be. After shaking off the rust on the wrong part of the track last month, the son of King for a Day cuts back in distance and attracts Kendrick Carmouche. I like his chances to put forth a career best run to close the card.
Play: #4 King Farro (4-1 ML)
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