Belmont Park Hotlist - June 13

Today’s New York Hot List races to watch – Saturday, June 13, 2020 at Belmont Park
By Matt Shifman and Bob Ehalt

Hot List Key:
 A: A preferred horse to watch                                       B: Secondary horse to watch
*C: Went down 2 or more betting notches and finished 1st through 3rd
*D: Went down 2 or more betting notches and finished 4^th or worst
* - 4 or more betting notches if 11-1 or more.

1^st race – (8) Dawn’s Early Light (C) dropped down to the NY-bred $25,000 maiden claiming level for trainer Danny Gargan, cut back in distance, and got on a fast track for the first time in three starts. He was bet down from 9-2 to 5-2 and changed running style by stalking the pace instead of being more forwardly placed. He rallied to get within a head of the lead but was passed by a deep closer and finished third. He returns from a March layoff for a $40,000 tag and switches to the turf. (1) After Prom Party showed speed on the turf in his last start in November and returns with a rail post. (10) Our Troubador ran a good second on the dirt on opening day at Belmont and gets back to the grass where he has two notable starts. (6) Tempesta will make his first start against NY-breds after a couple of good turf sprints in Florida for trainer Chuckie Lawrence who is dangerous shipping into New York.

4^th race – (5) Long Island City (B) debuted in a $40,000 NY-bred maiden claimer for trainer Bruce Levine who rarely wins with a firster. He broke slowly and rushed up the rail to be in contention quickly, maybe even briefly had the lead, but then could not keep up down the stretch and finished third. He is likely to improve with experience gained. (7) Money in the Bank will make his first start against NY-breds while shipping from Laurel. He returns this year as a new gelding who had two good turf sprints last summer. (1) Disciplinarian ran his two best career speed figures on the turf in the fall and now gets back on the grass for top turf trainer David Donk. (4) Fluent in Sarcasm will make his first start for trainer Mike Maker and also his first start against NY-breds after racing in Florida this Spring.

9^th race – (2) Point of Honor battled with the top 3-year-olds in the country last year and should get an ideal pace set-up for her closing move. She ran a big race to finish third in the Apple Blossom (G1) at Oaklawn Park after getting badly left out of the gate. (5) Ollie’s Candy was second in the Apple Blossom after setting the pace and getting nipped at the wire by the very talented Ce Ce. She should be around at the finish.   (1) Pink Sands won her last two starts in graded stakes and planned to run in the cancelled Spring Keeneland meeting but then had to wait for Belmont to open. (3) She’s a Julie has back class which should serve her well in this field and makes her likely to be part of the mix at the end.

10^th race – (7) Princess Fawzia (C) made her debut in a $50,000 maiden claimer going a mile on the Belmont outer turf course for trainer Linda Rice. The daughter of Cairo Prince was bet down from 7-1 to 7-2 and won the race as much the best rallying from a stalking position to win by two lengths. Typically Rice only wins with 12% of her horses that debut for a tag, so this filly is likely to improve next out. (2) Bean Counter has a couple of strong speed figures racing on the front end for Todd Pletcher on the grass at Gulfstream Park and she ran in similar starter allowance conditions. (5) Hurricane Breeze was claimed for $50,000 out of a maiden win at Gulfstream on the turf. In her first start for Mike Maker she just missed by a nose in a starter allowance and will now face older horses for the first time. (6) Corey Scores makes her first start for Brad Cox after previously racing for Chad Brown in New York.

Best bets: Dawn’s Early Light (1^st); Point of Honor (9^th).             Best value:  Long Island City (4^th); Princess Fawzia (10^th).

@NYHotList Saturday Pick 3 Special --
The Saturday Special $1 Pick 3 covers races 8-10 and includes the race 9 Ogden Phipps (G1):  4, 5, 7, 9 with 2, 5 with 2, 5, 6, 7 = $32.