God's Tipster's Friday Belmont Park pick: In 9th, a maiden turf route, Juan Valdez runs for all the beans

Readers of Bettors Insider are getting a one-race preview of my day’s selections. To sign up for daily emails with the day’s FULL selections and weekly Saturday videos, click here

Thursday’s Race Recap from Belmont:

(All odds US)

Belmont Park:

Race 1: SCRATCH

Race 2: 2nd@ 5.10/1

Race 9: 10th@ 65.50/1

We began our day with a scratch in Race 1. In Race 2 Anatolian stalked early. The heavy favorite caved like I expected but Anatolian just could not get by the winner and we had to settle for second. In Race 9, Mudville Nine stalked 4 wide throughout most of the race, ranged up on the far turn and flattened out in the drive.

We’ll stay parked at Belmont for a Friday race card. Our stretch of terrific weather continues. Let’s get started.

Belmont Park:

Race 9: Juan Valdez - 1 pt win (US Morning Line Odds: 12/1)

Maidens race a mile and three eights on turf in this one. This was another fun race to handicap as there are several in here that can contend for the win. I landed on Juan Valdez - a $900K purchase who makes his turf debut for the Shug McGaughey barn. This half brother to Grade 1 Florida Derby winner Constitution hasn’t really shown much on the track yet but is by Medaglia d’Oro, whose runners seem to be able to win on any surface. In his most recent start he didn’t do much running but he’s been catching some tough fields so it’s understandable that he’s gotten a little tired late. Two works since his last start signal readiness and he might be left alone on the front end. If he is, he’s got the breeding to take them gate to wire.

Best of luck to all our members playing Friday’s races from Belmont Park!!