Diversify, with Irad Ortiz Jr. up, wins the 2017 Saginaw Stakes (Susie Raisher)
Diversify, with Irad Ortiz Jr. up, wins the 2017 Saginaw Stakes (Susie Raisher)NYRA

Thoroughbreds Sunday - McMudder Picks Belmont, Laurel, Monmouth; Saginaw Stakes, Open Mind Stakes

More on playing the jockey angle . . .

Although Mick didn’t get the story completely correct, two jockeys had the kind of days they need to be successful long term. Jose Ortiz (Mick got the wrong brother . . . ) had four wins and two placings Saturday for the biggest day for a rider at Belmont. And Alex Cintron hopped a plane to Woodbine to ride two horses, winning a G1 in the process for Maryland trainer Mike Trombetta. Jose Ortiz rides a lot for the top trainers in New York and as a result, he gets to ride top horses in top races. He (or more appropriately, his agent) could have gotten him mounts at Woodbine on the big race card but they chose to stay home. Why? It is usually because jockeys need to service their regular clientele first. If no regulars wanted him in Toronto, then he stays home and wins four. Alex Cintron, on the other hand, is fighting for the jockey title at Delaware Park and took off to ride two races at Woodbine. The reason? Because he wants to be the regular rider on Wet Your Whistle. And for a Delaware jockey to get the call in a G1 in Canada, you book your flight . . . hose opportunities don’t come every day and this horse may be special.

Weather: Sunny and less humid. Saturday night’s storms seem to have affected each venue differently.

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Belmont Park Race 7 (4:45 p.m. ET) – Saginaw Stakes

1-Mr Buff has a lot going for him. Highest last out speed figure, likes Belmont, gets hot jockey. But the 1 hole has been miserable at Belmont. Can he overcome? Maybe. Instead look for value with 3-Sea Foam and 4-Dynamax Prime. Both are coming off good races, are winners at Belmont, and have completely different running styles. That lets you decide whether speed is being favored (Sea Foam) or if it is a day for closers (then go to the 4).

Belmont Park Race 7
$10 W/P/S 3-Sea Foam
$2 Exacta box 3,4
$1 Trifecta box 1,3,4

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Laurel Race 8 (4:40 p.m.)

3-Threes Over Deuces gets the services of − wait for it − G1 winning jockey Alex Cintron! It’s Sunday and with Delaware dark, Cintron rides five today in Maryland. He won two back on this one and trainer Gary Capuano is rewarding performance here. 2-Cerulean Springs woke up last time with the return to pilot Forest Boyce. She has been hot recently but this one needs to step up with these. 5-Showalter gets the bug in the irons, a new bug to this horse after having a bug for each of his last nine races. Either trainer Gary Capuano wants the weight off or this is a very easy ride. The talent is there but the results are spotty.

Laurel Race 8
$10 W/P/S 3-Threes Over Deuces
$2 Exacta box 2,3
$1 Trifecta box 2,3,5

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Monmouth Race 9 (4:45 p.m.) – Open Mind Stakes

9-Beautiful Lover is a two-turn turf filly trained by Chad Brown. That makes her tough here. 8-Le Feve is a two-turn turf filly that was trained by Chad Brown before this race where she is now trained by Graham Motion. That makes her tough here. 1-Ellyb is a two-turn turf filly trained by Arnaud Delacour. That makes her tough here. Does everyone see a pattern? They should. Certain trainers outperform the average with certain kinds of horses. Those three trainers outperform with young fillies going long on turf. These are all very similar sorts but go to the outside posts. That’s where this week’s winners have been coming from on the Monmouth turf course.

Monmouth Race 9
$10 W/P/S 9-Beautiful Lover
$2 Exacta box 8,9
$1 Trifecta box 1,8,9

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MICK’S QUICKIES

Monmouth Race 10 (5:15 p.m.)
4-She Loves It runs the same race every time. She gets the right company for that to work here.

Laurel Race 3 (2:10 p.m.)
3-Lonely Drifter is trying to win the title for best claim of the year. A sixth straight win here ties him for the 2019 win lead in the U.S.

Belmont Race 5 (3:40 p.m.)
5-Neper is the only runner in this race with a top jockey riding for a top barn. With these, that should be enough.

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