Belmont//Prairie Meadows 7/8

[tenfurlongs]

Belmont Park has a nice sequence of three turf races in R8-10, the bookends being the Oaks Invitational and Derby Invitational, both at 10F. Oddly, Chad doesn't seem to have a hammerlock on the Oaks, looks to be pretty wide open and a good betting race. Race 9 is a first-level allowance, full field of 12 before scratches, absolutely anybody's race and a must-bet. Race 10 features Silver Knott from Godolphin/Charlie Appleby, which was third behind Kalik last time when Irad put the field to sleep in the Penine Ridge S. here going 9F. That one re-opposes, along with surprise entrant The Foxes from Andrew Balding in the King Power Racing blue & white, under Oisin Murphy. If there is enough pace that they go at least 49/1:14, then The Foxes is a standout for me, based on his Dante S. (GII) win at York two back, where he stormed home to get his neck in front.




Meanwhile in Des Moines, Prairie Meadows runs the Iowa Derby & Oaks card, in beautiful weather, under the lights after dark. Race 1 is at 6:00pm local. First three races are for quarter-horses. Cornhusker H. (GIII) also contested, with a field of ten going 9F. UIC interest will be focused on the Iowa Derby (Listed), where #6- Bo Cruz (9-2) lines up against thirteen opponents (before scratches.) Post-time is 9:38 CT (10:38ET, 7:38PT; if you live in Denver, figure it out.) 




TW

[spiderjohn]

I can’t see Bo going off @ 9/2 in with these. Not sure yet where Raise Cain is going since he has yet to scratch from either Derby.
For the $50k difference, seems like we made the right choice with Bo. Still concerned about shipping there in the heat and all of the early pace. Though outside of Cox and maybe Saffie, the rest don’t seem like much.

Currently sitting at an airport hoping that I can get off in time to catch a connection to Iowa. If late, I am staying home.

Anyone from here going to prairie meadows?

[cherokeescot]

Raise Cain confirmed for Indiana Derby which is good news for you . Also weather looks great at Prairie Meadows . Safe travels.

[tenfurlongs]

BEL R8 (4:43pm ET)- BELMONT OAKS INVITATIONAL S. (GRADE I) 3yo f 1 1/4mi. turf

www.brisnet.com/cgi-bin/briswatch.cgi/public/ChadCBrown/BROWN+CHAD+C/9999/summary.html

I really like #7- Aspray (6-1) for Ran Jan Racing/Chad Brown/Flavien Prat. She's out of the Galileo mare, Up, which was a GII winner over 10F in Ireland for the Ballydoyle bunch. She hasn't produced anything of note, but this is her first foal by Quality Road, and the breeders kept her to race. Maybe they couldn't sell her, but maybe they didn't want to. Undefeated in three starts on two surfaces. Has a big closing kick, but she should be able to quicken regardless of the pace. Hope the price stays at/above 4-1.


TAM ALWN1X (#1)




PIM Hilltop Stakes (#3)






TW