Maiden America Sunday: The Hooptie Handicapper picks two turf races at Belmont

Maiden America 10.24.21

Hooptie Handicapper

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Got back home yesterday after an early weekend fall jaunt. The frost is on the pumpkin in Minnesota, and the hay is in the barn, there Sweet Baby James.

Two turf plays from Belmont today. It looks like perfect autumn weather there today. Sunny and low 60’s.

Race 3 – Belmont Park $90K Maiden Special

2yo’s going seven furlongs on turf

Given the Equibase par for this race is at 88, there is not much to pin your dollars on. 1-Dr. Browne’s Miracle ran a 67 on debut in his last and sire Temple City’s lineage have all taken a hit numbers-wise in their second race. Pass. 4-Sy Dog (3/1) has been working out for his debut pursuant to his lineage, 0-fer. Pass. 10-Baj (5/1) put in a good 81 Equibase score on debut at The Spa, shipped to KY Downs for his second shot, took a lot of money and flopped. Now, he ships to Big Sandy and has two 3 furlong works and we’ll see if he will bounce back to his debut number. 10-Exceptional (30/1) is out of Speightstown who is not known for his 2yo turf debut runners (0%) pass. 7-Ansel (8/5) is going to be my selection. Ansel has two races, and they clocked an 81 & 82 respectively at Saratoga this summer. His works have been good, and he should best this group.

Race 5 Belmont Park $90K Maiden Special

3yo↑ going one mile and a sixteenth on turf

1-Conquer The World (6/1) sire Curlin is not known for his first routers on turf going 0/3. This guy has been pedestrian in his works. Pass. 6-Aruba (6/1) is by Kitten’s Joy whose second time starters are strong in this circumstance. 9-Partner’s Hope (10/1) is off the claim for 36% winner with fist claimers, Danny Gargan. This More Than Ready colt is better in mcl races or on dirt. Pass. 5-Rock Sugar (7/2) ran well when taken to the lead in his two year old season last winter. Bill Mott (28% with horses off for 6+ months) has been tuning him up for 10 months and his works have been improving. He’s getting Lasix today and will be on or near the lead. Use underneath. 2-Please The Pharoah (8/1) can take this today. He had four races at Gulfstream in early spring, two were at 8.5 furlongs and two at 9 furlongs. He showed better results in the longer ones and now he goes shorter after a seven month hiatus. His works have been marginal except for the last one on yielding turf. That could prove pivotal. 4-Advise And Consent (2/1) Chad/Jose tandem will take a lot of money today. Second time turf starters/first routers for Tourist 2yo colts are just 13% with none of the eight eclipsing the 87 Equibase score. I am loathe to play chalk, yet this pace is going to collapse, and Jose will bring him to the wire first. I will likely play exacta 4/2 box, Exacta 4-2/1-9-6 in case one of these wakes up.

Happy Hunting 😊