Horse racing Best Bets on Saturday
We’re a week from the big Belmont Day card even though we won’t have a Triple Crown winner this year, but Team Tuley is still looking for value at horse racing tracks from coast to coast.
This Saturday, we’re joined by regular contributors Duane Colucci (Rampart race and sportsbook manager) and Ed Sehon (who will have Mr. Ed columns next Friday and Saturday) with plays at Belmont Park in New York, Monmouth Park in New Jersey, Churchill Downs (running its regularly scheduled cards this weekend and then moving its meet to Ellis Park next weekend) in Kentucky and Santa Anita in California.
Good luck today (and every day!).
Belmont Park Race No. 5 (3:03 p.m. ET/12:03 p.m. PT)
Ed Sehon likes three: “#1 No More Talk (5-2 morning line) — good trip from rail. #2 First Deputy (9-2) — rider upgrade to Trevor McCarthy. #3 Bronx Bomber (6-1) — excels on class drop. Wager: Exacta box of 1,2,3.”
Belmont Race Nos. 5-7 (3:03 p.m. ET/12:03 p.m. PT)
Ed Sehon likes a $1 Pick 3 (cost $36)
Race 5: 1,2,3
Race 6: 4,6,10
Race 7: 2,4,7,8
Churchill Race No. 6 (3:18 p.m. ET/12:18 p.m. PT)
Ed Sehon likes #5 Strava (5-1 morning line) for veteran bluegrass trainer Dallas Stewart. “Four-year-old son of super sire Into Mischief picks up services of Luis Saez while cutting back to 6 furlongs. Making his second start since winter break, colt is ready to roll from outermost post following a pair of excellent works. Wager: Win and box in Exactas with 2 and 3.”
Belmont Race No. 6 (3:34 p.m. ET/12:34 p.m. PT)
Ed Sehon likes #4 Diamond Hands (3-1 morning line). “Speedy filly cuts back to 6 furlongs, adds blinkers and retains top rider Irad Ortiz Jr. Trainer Bill Mott has turfer cranked for handy wire-to-wire score. She’s no rhinestone cowgirl. Wager: Win and box in Exactas with 6 and 10.”
Churchill Races Nos. 7-11 (4:06 p.m. ET/1:06 p.m. PT)
Duane Colucci likes a $.50 Pick 5 (cost $64)
Race 7: 2,5,6,7
Race 8: 3,4,6,7
Race 9: 3,7
Race 10: 1,7
Race 11: 1.2
Belmont Races Nos. 7-10 (4:06 p.m. ET/1:06 p.m. PT)
Duane Colucci likes a $.50 Pick 4 (cost $67.50)
Race 7: 2,5,6,8,9
Race 8: 6,7,8
Race 9: 3,4,8
Race 10: 1,3,12
Belmont Race No. 7 (4:06 p.m. ET/1:06 p.m. PT)
Ed Sehon likes #7 Fly Right (6-1 morning line) for under-appreciated trainer Leah Gyarmati. Colt returns from winter break after promising sophomore season. He attracts top rider Manny Franco while adding Lasix for first time. Wager: Win and box in Exactas with 2,4,8.”
Monmouth Race No. 9 (4:22 p.m. ET/1:22 p.m. PT)
Dave Tuley likes #8 Super Duper Fly (15-1 morning line). “Sometimes a horse seems to ‘figure things out’ and it’s time to strike while the proverbial iron is hot. Super Duper Fly should be able to sit just off the pace of #4 Blue Times and #5 Tryinmyheartout and get first run on the other closers. This is her first try on turf, but we’re not afraid to bet horses trying something for the first time (that’s also why we’re getting such a good price). We believe it’ll also help to be getting the 5-pound apprentice allowance. Wager: Win and Place (as long as above 10-1).”
Churchill Race No. 8 (4:22 p.m. ET/1:22 p.m. PT)
Ed Sehon’s PLAY OF THE DAY is #2 Travel Column (15-1 morning line). “Hard-knocking mare poised to regain her previous good form as she stretches out to route. Sharp trainer Lobo, sharp jockey Torres and sharp morning drills point to maximum effort at generous morning line price. Tale of the trip. Wager: Win, Place and Show.”
Belmont Race No. 8 (4:40 p.m. ET/1:40 p.m. PT)
Dave Tuley likes #8 Union Fleet (6-1 morning line). “There’s a ton of early speed in this race and Union Fleet should be able to let those get into a suicide duel and knock each other out and pick up the pieces turning for home. I’m also looking at #5 Kaz Place if he’s anywhere near his morning-line price of 20-1 (didn’t take to the turf last time out and in better spot here). Wager: 8 to Win and possibly 5 to Win and Place, plus Exacta box with 1,5,7,8.”
Belmont Race No. 9 (5:12 p.m. ET/2:12 p.m. PT)
Dave Tuley likes #5 Congruent (10-1 morning line) in the Grade 2 Pennine Ridge Stakes. “This 3-year-old son of Tapit has raced all over and tries Belmont for the first time. He came up empty in the Jeff Ruby Steaks at Turfway Wager while still on the Derby trail and should improve now that he’s in the Chad Brown barn. It doesn’t hurt to also get Flavien Prat, so hopefully he doesn’t bet down too much. Wager: 5 to Win and Place (at 8-1 or higher).”
Santa Anita Races Nos. 6-10 (6:44 p.m. ET/3:44 p.m. PT)
Duane Colucci likes a $.50 Pick 4 (cost $36)
Race 6: 2,4,5
Race 7: 4,5,6,8
Race 8: 1,2,5
Race 9: 3,10