Memorial Day Racing Stakes – Horse Racing Action

Memorial Day weekend is upon us, and if you are not heading to the beach, there is plenty of horse wagering action available throughout the weekend, including Monday when most tracks will be in action.

There are eight graded stakes around the country on Saturday, including the Gamely (G1) at Hollywood Park and the Vagrancy (G2) at Belmont Park.

There are two ungraded stakes on the Monmouth Park card, the Lamplighter and the New Jersey bred John J. Reilly Handicap, both drawing competitive fields.

All the major tracks will be in action on Memorial Day, including Monmouth Park, where the feature is the Eatontown (G3).

The highlight of Monday racing will be the Met Mile (G1) at Belmont Park.

Let’s warm up for the weekend action by taking a trip out to Belmont Park for a Friday afternoon as we attempt to pad our bankroll.  

Today’s Play of the Day from Belmont Park:

BEL Race 4 Alw $50,000s (2:36 ET)
#7 New Yawker   5/2
#5 Worthy Wager   10/1
#2 Hot Money   4/1
#3 Count Catamount   5/1

Analysis: #7 New Yawker came off an eight month layoff with a smart looking win last out against $25K non winners of two at today’s distance. The gelding earned the top last out speed fig in the effort, this is not a very tough spot here, and the gelding looks capable of winning right back.

#5 Worthy Wager had to overcome steadying in traffic along the inside on the far turn, angled out and finished strongly to pick up his diploma last out for a $25K tag, his first start on turf.  The gelding looks to be on the improve and the surface switch certainly helped. The Jerkens barn is sending out live runners at the meeting, picking up his fourth win on Wednesday from just eight starters.

Wagering
WIN: #7 to win at 2/1 or better.
EX: 5,7 / 2,3,5,7
TRI: 5,7 / 2,3,5,7 / 1,2,3,5,7

Today’s Pick 3 Play from Belmont Park:

Starting in Race 7: $1: 4,9 / 2,3,4 / 1,2,5,7 = $24

BEL Race 7 Clm $45,000 (4:12 ET)
#9 On Vacation, #4 Grand Piano Man

#9 On Vacation returns off a 2 1/2 month break for the Mott barn that is 17% winners with horses coming back off a 46-90 day layoff. The colt came up short last out in a eighth place finish against Alw-1 foes going six furlongs on the turf at Gulfstream Park, a race that produced a pair of next out grads. The colt drops in for a straight tag here and the stretch out should suit. His maiden score came going long at the Big A last fall. The colt is a half to multiple turf stakes winner Certifiably Crazy ($606K).

#4 Grand Piano Man made a good late run to finish third last out against $25K non winners of two. He steps up in price but these are straight three year olds. This guy is a half to a couple of stakes winners, top earner Trion Georgia ($379K). He is in good hands with the Weaver barn and the 12/1 ML looks generous.

BEL Race 8 OClm $50,000N2X (4:45 ET)
#3 Goodday, #2 Reforestation, #4 Katy Now

#3 Goodday stalked the early pace and finished up gamely last out, beaten just a neck for the top spot off a two month break. The winner of the race was Motor City Mama, who came back to beat state bred Alw-2 optional claimers again on May 5. The filly owns a solid pace profile throughout and looks to be sitting on a good one here for the sharp Chip Dutrow barn. The jump from state breds to open company is usually pretty tough, so I am hoping we catch most of the 7/2 ML.

#2 Reforestation finished well for the runner up spot last out at this level in her first start off a seven month layoff, beaten three lengths for the top spot. This gal mixed it up in stakes company last year, including a good third in the Prioress (G1). She should be fitter for her second start off the layoff.

BEL Race 9 Md Sp Wt (5:17 ET)
#7 Trust Fund Kid, #2 Strikealinethruit, #1 Miss Odette, #5 Sundae’s a Meese

#7 Trust Fund Kid gets the call in her debut here as none of these with starts earned a speed fig last out that matches par for this class. The filly is by Lemon Drop Kid (14% first turf) out of the turf stakes winner Careless Heiress ($393K), who has dropped four winners, two turf winners including turf stakes winner You Go West Girl ($509K). The barn is on the light side with firsters, hitting at a 8% clip, but the turf is one of the barn’s strengths.

#2 Strikealinethruit had a tough trip last out in a fifth place finish in her debut. She was outrun early after breaking a step slow and was blocked behind a wall of horses on the far turn. She figures to move forward in her second start with a better trip. She is out of the turf stakes winner Irish Actress ($571K), who has dropped a couple of turf winners.

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.

R3: #4 Sneaky Girl   8/1
R4: #5 Worthy Wager   10/1
R5: #5 Kiln Creek   8/1
R6: #5 Hello Gold   12/1
R6: #4 Pleasant Sister   10/1
R7: #4 Grand Piano Man   12/1
R9: #1 Miss Odette   10/1
R9: #5 Sundae’s a Meese   20/1

Good luck padding your bankroll today!