Belmont Analysis: Thursday, June 3, 2021

I hear the rain on my bedroom window this morning and I hope it ceases some time soon. The temporary return of Paddy’s Picks at Belmont will likely be hampered by some moisture in the track this afternoon, but similar conditions didn’t hurt me last weekend.

On Saturday, May 29, my father and I went to Belmont for the second time since 2019 to watch Power Up Paynter. As 0.1% shareholders in the horse’s interests through the MyRaceHorse service, we signed up for a lottery that allowed us box seats for the day and paddock access for the sixth race. There was slight confusion about this lottery at first, as my mother expressed little interest in raising a dog when the “P.U.P. lottery” came up in family group chats. read more

Keeneland Analysis: Saturday, July 11

This Saturday card in Kentucky is so much more than a Kentucky Derby prep race. Yes, the winner of the G1 Blue Grass Stakes will earn a one-way ticket to The Most Exciting Two Minutes in Sports. But in addition to that epic feature race, a favored filly sparring with the boys, there are five other graded stakes to discuss. Some of the best horses in the country will be facing off today on two different surfaces and every distance imaginable. If you’re playing Belmont today with a tropical storm warning in effect, then I’d suggest you change the channel. Let’s get into it. read more

Belmont Analysis: Friday, July 3, 2020

Tomorrow’s card at Belmont is the one most worth playing, but this is a fairly inoffensive card for hardcore handicappers to peruse on a long holiday weekend.

For many years now, July 3 has been a designated Belmont day on my calendar, and a fun one at that. Today, one of my friends and handicapping mentors celebrates his birthday, and like so many that read this blog, his idea of the perfect day is one spent playing the horses with his friends and family in the backyard at Belmont. Unfortunately, we’re unable to celebrate this year as we usually do, but if he’s watching at home, I’d like to wish him luck. Hopefully there are some jazzy selections that get him jumping, today and for many years hereafter. Let’s take a look at the card. read more