Expert picks: Predictions for Thursday's Belmont Stakes festival races
The Belmont Stakes Racing Festival begins with three stakes races on Thursday. While the Wonder Again (G3) looks chalky, the Astoria is a bit puzzling, and the Intercontinental (G3) might be the best money-making opportunity of the bunch.
Race 3: Wonder Again Stakes (G3)
4:07 p.m. ET; 9 furlongs inner turf
Favorite
#3 Newspaperofrecord (1-5): Cruised in all three turf starts as a juvenile including the Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies Turf. She controlled the pace in her Edgewood (G3) return on May 3, but Concrete Rose easily ran her down. She might not be as good this year, but she looks like the controlling speed again, and only needs a slight forward move to win this.
Value Win Contender
#4 Camber Parc (7-2): Newpaperofrecord's stablemate won her first two turf outings at Gulfstream before finishing a flat fourth in the Edgewood. I expect her to be closer to the pace today under her regular rider Jose Ortiz.
Live Longshot
#5 Chocolate Kisses (8-1): Won the Honeybee (G3) on dirt March 9, but I think she is better on turf (3: 2-1-0 record). She showed good tactical speed in each of her three turf outings.
Wagers
Exacta 3-5
Race 7: Astoria Stakes
6:14 p.m. ET; 5.5 furlongs
Favorite
#3 Perfect Alibi (5-1): Mark Casse's filly ran up the score by nine-plus lengths in her sharp Churchill debut on May 16. The $220,000 daughter of Sky Mesa figures to stalk the pace.
Value Win Contenders
#2 Reiterate (6-1): She is also trained by Casse. She overcame the often-intimidating inside post to dead heat for the win in her Gulfstream debut April 11, and two runners from that heat were next-out winners (Sonar, Marching In). She should be forwardly placed under new rider Jose Ortiz.
#9 Ms Headley (4-1): Smartly captured her Churchill debut as the even money favorite on May 1. Irad Ortiz Jr. should have early-pressing options from the outside post.
Live Longshots
#1 Maryanorginger (9-2): They paid an above average $190,000 for the daughter of Strong Mandate, and Jeremiah Engelhart shows a positive ROI with first timers. Dam has produced two winners from as many starters. Vargas Jr. wins races with this barn.
#7 Punk Rock Princess (15-1): Improved to beat a next-out winner at Laurel on May 2. She has the productive Suarez/O’Dwyer team in her corner, and she might be able to spice up the exotics.
Wagers
#2 to win
Exacta Box 2-9
Exacta 2-9/1-3
Trifecta 1-2-3-9/1-2-3-9/7
Race 8: Intercontinental Stakes (G3)
6:46 p.m. ET; 7 furlong turf
Favorite
#2 Significant Form (2-1): Won the Miss Grillo (G3) as a 2-year-old in 2017, and she captured the Memories of Silver as a sophomore in 2018. She has always had ability for Chad Brown but has never been able to put it all together against top graded rivals. This might be a good level and distance for her.
Value Win Contenders
#5 Stella di Camelot (7-2): She rallied to post an 8-1 upset in her U.S. bow for Chad Brown in the Pebbles Stakes last year, and followed that up with a flat fifth as the beaten favorite in the Mrs. Revere (G2). She looks similar to Significant Form, and might offer more value than her stablemate.
#9 Broadway Run (5-1): Always finishes in the top three and almost caught Fire Key in the License Fee at six panels last time. This is only his second start of 2019 and he still has some upside.
Live Longshots
#4 Zonza (8-1): Showed some late interest in a fourth-place finish from an outer post in her U.S. bow at one mile for Chad Brown on April 19. She flashed ability in France and might like this extended sprint.
Wagers
#9 to win
Exacta Box 5-9
Exacta 5-9/2-4
Trifecta 2-5-9/ALL/4