Belmont | Race 2 | Post Time 1:32 p.m. (ET) | Go to the TimeformUS PPs | Not already a TimeformUS member? Sign up 

#7 Bay Storm is obviously the horse to beat as she returns to the site of her last victory, a triumph over this course and distance in the Christiecat last September. She led from gate-to-wire that day, and figures to use similar tactics here given the lack of speed signed on in this affair. The TimeformUS Pace Projector is predicting a situation favoring the early leader, and she looks loose up front. Her two races since returning from a layoff this year have been decent, but I thought she was supposed to offer more of a finish last time as the 4-5 favorite.

I’m taking a shot against her with #3 BYE BYE. This Christophe Clement trainee made her return from the layoff at this level last time and put in a good effort to just miss. That was a day when the rails were set at 9 feet on the inner turf course, and the inside path probably wasn’t the best place to be. I think she can move forward with that start under her belt, and she had a nice foundation of solid turf sprint form from her 3-year-old season that she can still build upon. 

I prefer her to the other obvious alternative #4 Alwayz Late, who could be somewhat compromised by the lack of pace in this affair. I’m actually more afraid of Clement’s other runner #8 Mischievous Dream, who was a visually impressive winner last time and has seemingly found her niche as a turf sprinter.

THE PLAY

WIN: #3 Bye Bye, at 5-2 or greater

USE: 7,8