Turf racing at Monmouth Park.
Turf racing at Monmouth Park.@MonmouthPark on Twitter

Garrity's Sunday Stakes picks races at Belmont, Woodbine and Monmouth Park

First post is 4:19 pm EDT.

We have three plays on this midsummer Sunday, all in stakes races. Let’s go.

Belmont Park, Race 8, 4:19 pm ET

$150,000 River Memories Stakes, 1 ½ miles, Turf, Fillies & Mares 4 & Up

The turf at Belmont Park Sunday morning was listed as good, and we are expecting it to be good for the River Memories, which, after scratches, drew a field of five older females. The pick is Chad Brown’s 5-Virginia Joy, who was last seen finishing a close fourth in the Grade 2 New York Stakes on June 4. That was a good effort, which means she’s in good form, but what gives her the nod is pace: this field is small, the other four entrants have zero early speed, and we see Virginia Joy, who has decent early foot, inheriting the lead by default, and galloping in front through what should be very, very slow fractions. She is good enough that if she is given this kind of head start, the others will not be able to catch her. We will bet her to win at 9/5. The bet: Belmont Park, Race 8, $40 to win on 5-Virginia Joy.

Woodbine, Race 7, 4:24 pm ET

Grade 3 The Marine Stakes, 1 1/16 miles, Synthetic, 3-Year-Olds

Six 3-year-olds line up for the Grade 3 Marine at Woodbine. The pick is 1-Tidal Forces, who is undefeated in two career starts for trainer Gail Cox, and should make three for three today. He’s a stretch runner, so look for him to save ground from his rail post, and to win with a strong rally down the long Woodbine stretch. We will bet him to win at 2-1. The bet: Woodbine, Race 7, $40 to win on 1-Tidal Forces.

Monmouth Park, Race 11, 5:15 pm ET
$75,000 My Frenchman Stakes, 5 ½ Furlongs, Turf, 3-Year-Olds

After heavy rains at the Jersey shore the past few days, there was concern that the My Frenchman would be moved to the main track, but unless there is more rain today, it will stay on the grass, and will be run on yielding turf. Seven are scheduled to start.

The pick is 2-Chasing Artie, a Wesley Ward trainee who has run on all three North American surfaces, turf, synthetic, and conventional dirt, but who has done best on the sod, including a win in a stakes at Keeneland in April. He’ll like the going, and he has the good combination of tactical speed and a strong finishing kick. We will bet him to win at 2-1. The bet: Monmouth Park, Race 11, $40 to win on 2-Chasing Artie.

That’s all for today. Until the next time, enjoy the racing, be safe, and, as always, good luck at the windows.

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