Belmont Stakes Pick Four

Hola Amigos,

With the Scratch of I'll Have Another, the Belmont Stakes has lost it's buzz but there still remains a very solid field to run the 1 1/2 mile distance. I like Paynter now in this spot and if I get anything over 9-2, I will support heavily. Paynter will be my single in the pick four that I am playing. Economic ticket on the way.

Race 8: Classy fillies and mares going a mile in THE LONGINES JUST A GAME with a pusr of $500,000. Four deep for me with #3 Wallis who comes off a small layoff with good works and makes her fourth U.S. start. Can press the pace or stalk in good position. #4 Winter Memories. 10 starts, 7 wins, Grade I winner, enough said. #5 Hungry Island (Top Pick) comes off best race in her last Grade 2 win. 3 wins from 5 Starts on the Belmont turf course. Also using #6 Dancinginherdreams who is one-for-one for this trainer-jockey combo and has good past class and comes off her best Beyer speed figure.

Race 9: Three-year holds going 7 furlongs in the $400,000 WOODY STEPHENS. Four deep for me with #3 Il Villano who pulled away in a good win last out while earning his best speed figure yet. Bullet work to prepare for this. Dangerous. #4 Brian switches trainers and ran a good second in a minor stakes race over this track. Can improve again and this distance seems to fit him well. #5 Bourbon Courage (Top Pick) is a very talented colt that did not run to his ability in the sloppy track last out at CD. Shortens back to a sprint and gets a dry track. Watch Out.

Race 10: 11th Running of THE WOODFORD RESERVE MANHATTAN HANDICAP with a purse of $500,000 for 3yo's and up going 1 1/4 miles. Two deep for me with #1 Omayad (Top Pick) who ran a good second when making his U.S. debut last out when closing alot of ground late in a mile race at BHP. Get's much more ground to work with today and should have pace in front of him to close to. 9 starts 7 wins and 2 seconds (by half a length both times). I like that Neil Drysdale ships him to run straight into this spot (confidence) and has plenty of works leading up to this race. #4 Desert Blanc is another horse that is making his second U.S. start and showed good ability when running second in a Grade 3 last out after a slow start. Chad Brown has this runner primed for a big effort and should improve alot. Lures Ramon Dominguez to ride.

Race 11: The 114th Running of THE BELMONT STAKES. 1 Million dollar purse for 3-year holds going 1 1/2 miles. No I'll Have Another. No Triple Crown. A strong field still remains to battle it out and I will single #9 Paynter. This runner is lightly raced and has taken good liking to the Belmont surface as his works and gallops has shown. He ran a respectable fourth Behring I'll Have Another in the Grade 1 Santa Anita Derby when only making his second lifetime start while stretching out to 1 1/8 miles from a 5 1/2 furlong debut. His breeding suggests the distance should not be a problem and the talent is there. He will improve and I expect a good effort.

.50 Cent Belmont Pick Four ($16): 3,4,5,7 / 3,4,5,6 / 1,4 / 9

Good Luck!

STAY TUNED AND COME BACK LATER FOR MY LOS ALAMITOS PLAYS!

Great Saturday of Racing Across The Country.