Last Chance Before the Preakness

We have one last shot of padding our bankroll before Preakness Day on Friday, and there are a couple of races at Belmont Park that can make that happen.

Today’s play of the day is a $35,000 maiden claiming race and we are going to go with comebacker Pienteous, who will be making his first start since last summer.

Our Pick 3 play starts with the seventh race and is a $24 investment. We don’t have any bombs in the three race sequence, but in each race, it appears we might be able to beat the likely favorite.

Today’s Play of the Day from Belmont Park:

BEL Race 6 Md $35,000 (3:40 et)

#6 Pienteous 6/1

#5 Fair Catch 7/2

#3 He Struck It Rich 2/1

#9 Winloc’s Big D 8/1

Analysis: #6 Pienteous makes his first start since last July for the Seewald barn that is showing a 6% win clip (with a +ROI) with a limited numbers of runners coming back off a +180 day layoff. The colt was in the mix in each of his three starts, with a third and a couple of fourth place finishes. The colt has two sibs that are turf winners including a stakes winner. The colt has a light work tab, just a pair of published drills, but this looks like a good spot for his return here tagged for $35K.

#5 Fair Catch returns from Florida where the colt had two trips on the turf. The colt checked in fourth two back and last out running for an $80K tag looked like he was in a good spot, was in the mix as they turned for home but he ran out of gas and checked in seventh. He drops into an easier spot here for the Hennig barn.

Wagering

WIN: #6 to win at 4/1 or better.

EX: 5,6 / 3,5,6,9

TRI: 5,6 / 3,5,6,9 / 3,5,6,8,9

Today’s Pick 3 Play from Belmont Park:

Starting in Race 7: $1: 4,5,6 / 1,4 / 1,4,8,14 = $24

BEL Race 7 OClm $75,000N3X (4:12 et)

#4 Giant Chieftan, #6 Dubai Gold, #5 Keep Laughing

#4 Giant Chieftan is returning off nearly a four month break for the Hough barn that is 13% winners (with a +ROI) with horses coming back off a 61-180 day layoff. Last out the gelding was a good second behind a loose on the lead gate to wire winner, which came off a three month break. His last win came over the main track here last summer versus Alw-2 optional claimers. He is the lone runner in this compact field that has won over the track.

#6 Dubai Gold steps up a notch here after a runner up finish versus Alw-2 optional claimers last out. The winner of the race was Dr. Pleasure, who came back to beat Alw-3 optional claimers in his next outing on 3/27 with a 102 Beyer. The gelding was claimed out of his last start by the Jacobson barn that is 17% winners first off the claim. The gelding has run well fresh throughout his career.

BEL Race 8 OClm $50,000N2X (4:45 et)

#4 Dr. Decter, #1 Redefined / #1a Silver Timber

#4 Dr. Decter showed some talent last fall with back to back wins on the turf here, breaking his maiden in his second career start and then taking a first level allowance race. He did not show much in two starts in Florida against open company and last out caught a muddy surface when returning to New York. The switch back to the turf here should suit this guy and if he runs back to his other two trips over the turf course here, he will prove tough to beat.

#1 Redefined dueled for the early lead and weakened in the stretch to finish sixth last out in a $50K stake at AC last out, his first go off nearly a seven month break. Last fall this guy won back to back races over the turf here at this condition and has won eight times over the turf course here. The eight year old has not missed a exacta finish in nine trips at today’s distance. Entry mate #1a Silver Timber beat $25K claimers last out going five furlongs on the turf at Gulfstream Park in his first start off a five month break. That was his first victory since ’07. He makes his first start for the Chad Brown barn that is 23% winners first off the claim.

BEL Race 9 Clm $25,000N2L (5:17 et)

#1 Suite Ernie B, #14 Manhattan Star, #4 Skyebay, #8 Pop Panebianco

#1 Suite Ernie B gets the nod and there are a couple on the AE list that fit well here, so keep an eye on late scratches in case they draw in. Our top pick faces winners for the first time here after breaking his maiden last out against $25K maiden claimers at Gulfstream Park in his eighth career start. The son of Lemon Drop Kid looks like he has appreciated the surface switch to turf and still looks like he may have some upside potential on the grass. The Rice barn is always dangerous on the turf, hitting at a 22% clip overall. He looks like he is primed for another good effort as he makes his third start off the bench.

#14 Manhattan Star is a good fit here if he draws into the race. He is coming off a third last out at this level, which was off a three month layoff.

Price Plays From Belmont Park:

These are price plays to watch today. A small win-place wager is in order or if your pockets are deep enough, use these runners in your trifecta and Pick 3 and Pick 4 wagers. One or two of these could be the difference between a regular day at the track and hitting the IRS window with a signer.

R2: #6 La Menina 8/1

R3: #4 Daily Star 8/1

R6: #9 Winloc’s Big D 8/1

Good luck padding your bankroll today!