Belmont at the Big A Best Bets from Mike Somich – Saturday, July 6

Belmont at the Big A Best Bets:

It’s a big day from Belmont at the Big A! We’ve got four Graded stakes to fire at and some very interesting under card races as well! We are also less than a week away from kicking off Saratoga on the 11^th as well! Let’s get to our Belmont at the Big A best bets.

Belmont Oaks Invitational, Belmont at the Big A, Race #9

The 3-year-olds take center stage on the turf today with two big money races—the latter of the two being the Belmont Oaks for fillies. In recent years, you have to keep an eye on shippers who come in from Europe and this is no exception. #8 Cinderella’s Dream highlights the European shippers flying in for Charlie Appleby, who has had success for the last couple of years with this move. One of the keys to who runs well for him is when William Buick, his top jock, ships in as well. That’s the case today with Cinderella, who has been very consistent in three starts this year. She’s shown tactical speed in Europe and should improve with the added distance. The morning line of 9/2 seems high to me, but I like her down to 3-1.

The favorite, #7 She Feels Pretty was awesome in her seasonal debut to back up the form she showed at two. The waters get deeper here today with a couple of horses in from Europe and a solid Chad Brown. The 2-1 price is what keeps me away, but she is a major player.

The aforementioned Chad Brown sends out #2 Dynamic Pricing, who was impressive in winning the Edgewood last time out. She has faced some of the best in the US in the last three starts and more than held her own, winning twice. She will need pace to run into, but she has the kick to get home.

#5 Secret Satire looks to be the other main European threat. She struggled last time out, but the race two back puts her in this. She is 8-1 on the morning line and is more likely to hold that price. She has early speed but has struggled to relax early in her last two. If she matures here, she could be tough at a price.

Picks: 8-7-2-5
Belmont at the Big A Best Bets: $50 Win #8

John A. Nerud Stakes, Belmont at the Big A, Race #8

With just five horses heading to the post, it can be tough to find value, but #5 Mullikin will offer it if he holds his 2-1 price. He has run well in both starts at four and has more than enough speed to clear this field from the outside. The question will be class; this is his first time in a graded stakes, but that should help hold the value for a horse that is on the improve.

#3 Prevalence, on the other hand, has been a consistent runner in the graded level. He’s yet to break through in a big way, but he has back races that hold up against this field. He’s another with tactical speed and should sit just off the lead and get first run at Mullikin.

A graded stakes winner, #1 Everso Mischievous will be looking to build off his first start of the season. He won impressively at Churchill last time out and has the right to improve again today. In a race filled with horses that want to be up front early, he will try to do that same. He’s won from just off the pace five times in his career, so he is more than capable of getting it done from that trip.

Picks: 5-3-1
Belmont at the Big A Best Bets: $50 Win – 5

Spot Plays:
Belmont at the Big A, Race #3 – $50 Exacta 5 / 1
Belmont at the Big A, Race #6, $50 Win #2