>Belmont | Race 9 | Post Time 5:19 EDT | Go To The TimeformUS PPs

Bea Bea (#11) is the favorite on the morning line, but she’s awfully hard to trust at a short price. This filly just never took a step forward after running well to begin her career at age two, and may even be regressing as her connections drop her in class. Brandi’s Diva (#1) is somewhat intriguing as a new face since she has significant turf pedigree. However, she didn’t show much racing on a synthetic surface, so I’m not sure how good she really is. Out of Nowhere (#13) would be the horse to beat if she were to draw into this race from the also-eligible list, but she’s a complete unknown at six furlongs, having spent most of her career focusing on route races.

None of the runners that are going to be short prices in this race are very talented, so I’m not afraid to take a shot against them with a long shot.

PERSKY’S SPIRIT (#10) has shown subtle but steady improvement in her recent dirt races, and I think she’s an intriguing player as she switches back to turf—which her connections have been trying to make happen for three straight races. Her lone turf race is worth a viewing, since she was off slowly and then barely asked for run at any point by her rider, who seemingly gave up all hope after a poor start. She was probably overmatched that day anyway, but I think she deserves another shot on grass now that she’s in better form. Silent Name is a turf sire and her dam has produced a turf winner, so there is pedigree evidence to suggest she’ll take to this surface. Given a somewhat murky pace scenario, I’m hoping that Samuel Camacho uses her natural speed.

THE PLAY

Win/Place: 10 

Exacta Key Box: 10 with 1,7,9,11,13

Trifecta: 1,7,9,11,13 with 1,7,9,11,13 with 10