Thursday's Best Bet: Sonneman can extend winning streak in Easy Goer

Thursday’s 8th race from Belmont Park is the $80,000 Easy Goer Stakes for three-year-olds traveling a mile and a sixteenth on the main track (Post Time 5:04 p.m. ET).

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#4 SONNEMAN (2-1) is probably going to love the added distance of this race. The late runner graduated in a local one mile affair last fall, and returned with a nice extended sprint score at Gulfstream April 4. Steve Asmussen takes over the training duties, and there is a good chance that he runs past these under Jose Ortiz if he gets enough pace help. 

#6 Toy (8-1) is the upsetter for Mike Trombetta. The Laurel Park shipper owns ascending numbers and really started to improve with added real estate. He seeks a hat trick and will probably stalk outside. 

#3 Casino Grande (8-5) followed up a front running maiden win at seven panels with a stalk and pounce score at one mile second time out. Christophe Clement is taking his time with the promising son of Cairo Prince, and he can compete for the win with another forward move. 

#2 Informative (12-1) is probably up against it in this spot. He is 0-for-5 vs. winners, and was no threat in his last three stakes attempts. This barn can get longshots to hit the board, and I would not be shocked if he finished 3rd. 

#5 Prodigious Bay (3-1) should be forwardly placed under Joel Rosario. The only race that makes him competitive in this spot was his easy front running maiden win in the slop at Oaklawn. The main track figures to be fast on Thursday. That April 11 maiden event was a key race, and he hooked subsequent Santa Anita Derby show finisher Rushie last time.   

#1 Celtic Striker (8-1) should show speed from the rail. He gave way in all three stakes starts, and he won’t get loose with Prodigious Bay in this race.  

Wagers:

#4 to win

Exacta Box 4-6

Trifecta 4/3-6/2-3-6

June 2020 Best Bet Winners

June 3 - VALUE PROPOSITION ($11.20), Exacta ($60.50)
June 10 - HEIR BALL ($12.20)
June 15 - Mo Hawk/Cruel Summer Exacta ($43.00)
June 23 - COPPER NICKEL ($2.80)

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