Racing reconvenes on Thursday afternoon at Belmont Park and it does so with style after horseplayers were unable to connect the dots on the Sunday Pick 6. Therefore, the traditional style $1 minimum wager has a $63,668 carryover for the card that gets started at 12:40 PM eastern time in Long Island with the Pick 6 sequence kicking off with Race 3 at 1:40 PM. The card also is part of our new promotion. The Cornucopia of Cash is on Tuesday and Thursday and offers horseplayers a chance to earn a $10 bonus for wagering $100+ on select tracks throughout the month of November. The good news is Belmont is the select track for November 5! So, head on over to the promotional landing page for full details and to register.
Here are a few horses I consider must uses.
Race 5:
This maiden optional claimer at one-mile over the turf is one of the more intriguing races on the Thursday New York slate. The two ML favorites #7 Hetch Hetchy and #2 Proper Jack exit a similar spot over this surface at 8.5-furlongs last month where they finished second and third. The two off-the-pace colts are in with a chance, but likely to be a bit over bet.
I prefer the value #4 My Man Max should offer. The son of Maxfield goes two sprints on the dirt to a turf route for trainer Horacio De Paz. He made a big run late to finish second at Colonial Downs on debut before an even fourth over this racetrack on October 4. De Paz sports incredibly strong numbers over the last five years with horses making their first start in a turf route clicking with 12 of 56 for a $3.56 ROI. Add to the mix, this colt being out of a Smart Strike mare that was a marathon turf horse overseas and you have a runner that makes for a very intriguing option.
Play: #4 My Man Max (6-1 ML)
Picks: 4-1-7
Race 6:
There is not much speed signed on in this second-level allowance event at seven-furlongs over the main track. #1 Amberjack is likely to set the pace with a clean break from the rail. The 3YO takes on older runners for the first time after a less-than-ideal start led to a disappointing run as a long shot in the Gallant Bob (G2). He has a shot to wire the field, but the final furlong could prove challenging. #2 Two Eagles River should be in a perfect stalking position throughout allowing him to take advantage in his second start off the claim for trainer Rob Atras. The hard knocking son of Cloud Computing has won 7 of 32 throughout his career, including 4 of 9 at the tricky seven-furlong distance. The 5-2-second choice looks like the clear horse to beat in the Thursday feature.
Play: #2 Two Eagles River (5-2 ML)
Picks: 2-1-3
Race 7:
#8 Ice Chocolat was made the 8-5-ML favorite in this open $25k claimer over the sod at 1 1/8-miles after taking a similar group gate-to-wire going a sixteenth shorter on October 10. The 8YO gelding broke on top from his inside draw that day, dictated terms throughout, and had enough left late to hold safe as the 4-5-top choice. I do not expect things to be as easy in this spot though given the presence of a couple of runners that could put a bit more pressure on him in the early stages and more importantly the added ground. Both work against the nine-time winner. I will try to beat him with the New York-bred #2 Clear Conscience. The son of Blame makes his second start of the meet after a mid-pack finish versus better on October 14. He draws inside, which should prove advantageous as it often does going long on the sod. Hopefully, Edgard Zayas can save ground throughout and make a big run late to get the money.
Play: #2 Clear Conscience (6-1 ML)
Picks: 2-6-8
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