NYRA Preview: Belmont Park 9/13

Race 2: $62,000 MSW for New York-bred 2-year-old fillies going 6 furlongs on the outer turf

#2 Moon Delight (2/1) debuts over the Widener turf course for Chad Brown after training at Belmont Park the whole summer, but Brown couldn’t find the right spot at Saratoga for her debut. Purchased for $300,000 as a yearling and turf pedigree on the dam’s side indicates the turf might be her preferred surface. Her last morning work went :48.88 over 4 furlongs on the dirt, one of the fastest times in this field.

Christophe Clement brings back #8 Stretchthestory (3/1) after her turf debut at Saratoga on August 23. She didn’t have the best break out of the gate but did well to make ground on the field after sitting behind a wall of horses. Junior Alvarado gets an outside post here and should have an easier time settling in the back of the pack looking to bring this filly home late.

#5 Grudge (7/2) comes to the NYRA circuit for John Servis who doesn’t bring his horses to the NYRA circuit often. His filly’s workouts in the morning suggest that she is better than the average maiden special weight races at Monmouth Park or Parx. John Servis would not have his filly make her debut at Belmont Park if he didn’t think she would produce. Servis has been one of the most reputable trainers in the country and this move is a positive one.

#4 Mazal Eighteen (8/1) impressed last time out as she made her debut over the turf course at Saratoga. She broke extremely well from the outside and controlled the fractions for 1/2 the race. The first quarter went :23.88 and she ultimately finished third and didn’t have much rest. The cutback makes sense for this filly as she has a lot of early speed. Look for here to get out to the lead and never give it up. She should be a moderate price of about 7/1 here.

Ricky’s Picks: 2-8-5-4

Race 4: $62,000 MSW for New-York-bred 2-year-old fillies going 6 furlongs on the inner turf

Michelle Nevin has always been known for letting her horses get a race under their belt before they show what type of talent they have. #7 My Sassy Sarah (2/1) almost broke that mold and won first time out at Saratoga on August 2. The second-place finisher Good Credence went on to win her next race. My Sassy Sarah should be the favorite at a relatively short price, and she is the filly to beat.

#2 Jen’s Battle (5/1) is extremely quick out of the gate and she showed that in her turf debut at Saratoga. She sat second behind Deeply Analytical and even took the lead, before she gave way to horses who passed her in the stretch. It’s up to Irad Ortiz to rate her as much as possible so she doesn’t post a :21.74 first quarter and save a little for the stretch drive as she looks to break her maiden in her second career start.

#5 Strongerthanuknow (5/1) made her turf debut at Monmouth Park in the Colleen Stakes this past August. She came into that race 20/1 and clearly was overmatched. She did show early speed and finished third and placed second after a disqualification. That spot was a little aggressive by Jorge Duarte on that day. Today, she faces a softer field and another furlong to work with.

#3 Unicorn Sally (9/2) comes out of the same race that Jen’s Battle came out of at Saratoga. She was last for most of the race but showed she can close with ease given the right pace up front. Joel Rosario has been on fire to start the meet and he loves to bring his horses home late. A hot pace can certainly ensue here, and Unicorn Sally is the best closer in the field. Everything Rosario does seems to work for him at the moment and he has the chance to fly by the grandstand picking off horses at the wire.

Ricky’s Picks: 7-2-5-3