Ricky’s Rockets ?: Belmont Park Picks for July 10, 2020

With only three days left in the meet, we are running out of opportunities to maximize our bankroll before Saratoga. Friday’s early Pick 5 sequence is straightforward with a lot of likely short-priced winners, so play accordingly.

Best of luck!

Race 1: Maiden Special Weight for 2-year-olds going 6 furlongs on the outer turf

#2 Pitaman makes his debut for Graham Motion, one of the best turf trainers in New York. His sire, Pioneerof the Nile, began his career on the turf as a 2-year-old and has a pair of turf-winning siblings. #5 Blame the Booze is one of two Wesley Ward runners here, and while none of the morning workouts suggest that he will be quick, he wouldn’t be entered against his stablemate if he didn’t have a chance. That stablemate is #6 King of Miami, whom Ward also owns. He’s a son of the 2015 Triple Crown Champion American Pharoah, who gets 16% turf winners, and is a younger brother of the multiple stakes-winning turf sprinter Bound for Nowhere.

Race 2: $25k Claiming for 3-year-olds and upward going 6 furlongs on the inner turf

Previous runners scratched! Using #1 Field of Courage, #2 Fox Red, #11 Direct Order

Race 3: $20k Maiden Claiming for 3-year-olds and upward going 1 mile (8 furlongs) on the dirt

Previous runners scratched! Using: #1 Heirloom Kitten, #7 Fulfill, #8 Road Home 

Race 4: $12.5k Claiming for fillies and mares 3-year-olds and upward going 6 furlongs on the dirt

This 6-furlong sprint is full of speed, so I’m using a lot of horses right now, but I’d trend toward the closers if I wanted to narrow the ticket. #2 Miss Jak tends to force herself wide and risk finding trouble, but Manny Franco should have plenty of time to get the field’s best closer into the clear so that she can best deploy her late kick. The other runners to use are #4 Camorra and #7 Malibu Mischief.

Race 5: Starter Allowance for fillies and mares 3-year-olds and upward going 1 1/16 miles (8 1/2 furlongs) on the outer turf

Previous runners scratched! Using: #1 Sterling Beauty and #10 Bossy Bride

THE TICKET

50¢ PICK 5 (Races 1-5) 2,5,6 / 1,2,11 / 1,7,8 / 2,4,7 / 1,10 – $81