Friday Plays: 2 Belmont doubles, including New York-Met Mile

Because of the upcoming $1.5 million Belmont Stakes on Saturday, the track has decided to spread out a number of graded-stakes races over three days and create a mini racing festival of sorts. For bettors, the only downside is that some of those fields ended up smaller than expected.

Here are two ideas for doubles on the Friday card, including one connecting the New York Stakes (G1) and Metropolitan Handicap (G1) on Saturday.

Belmont Race 3: Bed o’ Roses Stakes (G2)

With only four entrants, the race might feel kind of empty.

But three of the four entrants are legitimate graded-stakes runners who can fit in any top race for female dirt sprinters. This category includes the favorite Bella Sofia, who recently won the local Vagrancy Handicap (G3). 

Bella Sofia is a talented filly, but also take a look at Glass Ceiling, who carries a four-race win streak into this race. In Glass Ceiling’s most recent start, she won the Distaff Handicap (G3) at Aqueduct by an impressive five lengths over Kept Waiting and Search Results in third. Two starts ago, Glass Ceiling also won the Barbara Fritchie Stakes (G3) at Laurel Park by half a length over Jakarta.

Glass Ceiling’s 121 TimeformUS Speed Figure for winning the Distaff Handicap puts him four points ahead of Bella Sofia’s 117 in the Vagrancy.

If this four-horse field must be played, then try Glass Ceiling.

Win: 2 (at 6-5 or higher)

Double: 2 / 6,7

Belmont Race 4: Allowance

Many inconsistent horses compose this field.

Reggae Music Man and Montauk Daddy are the final choices for the double because both of them figure to secure good positions close to the leader. And either one of them could set the pace if the situation lacks a pacesetter.

It also does not hurt to see Irad Ortiz Jr. on Reggae Music Man. 

Montauk Daddy is popular at the claim box, and that works as a sign he is a healthy horse. Trainer Orlando Noda opts to protect him in an allowance race rather than risk losing the horse in another claimer. 

New York – Met Mile Double

Belmont Race 10: New York Stakes (G1)

Virginia Joy carries a two-race win streak into this race, including a 14 1/4-length romp in the local Sheepshead Bay Stakes (G2) over a yielding course.

Sometimes turf horses pop unbelievable races on wet turf. Virginia Joy’s win two starts ago in The Very One Stakes (G3) at Gulfstream Park is more notable because she overcame fractions of 50.86 seconds, 1:16.55 and 1:41.08 to rally and win by one length over Family Way, who was closer to the slow pace for most of the race.

At 3-1 on the morning line, Virginia Joy might even offer value as a runner from the Chad Brown barn. She won her last two races at 2-5 and 4-5. Yet she is the third lowest Brown entry on the morning line. 

Virginia Joy is the choice.

Win: 3 (at 5-2 or higher)

Double: 3 / 3,4

Belmont Race 9: Metropolitan Handicap (G1)

If Flightline loses this race, it will probably happen because of pressure from Speaker’s Corner in the early stages. Flightline also could handle the pressure as a special horse and romp anyway, but he is away from home in this race and Speaker’s Corner is not a pushover.

Unfortunately for Speaker’s Corner, either he leaves Flightline alone and lets him win, or he sacrifices himself in pressuring Flightline and fades.

If Flightline and Speaker’s Corner burn each other out, then either Aloha West or Happy Saver can take advantage of the duel and close for the win.