Not great at Belmont yesterday, but the Conductor started seeing the ball well at Keeneland and was able to get a few body shots in. The tracks can only defend themselves for so long, plenty of quality racing today. Let’s Ride.
Belmont Park:
Race 4: 1 Mile. C1 Champagne Stakes
#5 Reinvestment Risk (8/5) – This colt ran behind #4 Jackie’s Warrior (3/5) last time, but the Conductor thinks he can turn the tables. He’s bred to go longer and the extra furlong today will help his cause.
Race 5: 1 Mile. F.Frizette-G1 Frizette Stakes
The Conductor prefers #1 Vequist (2/1) over the #2 Cantata (9/5). Vequist has been tested by winners and gutted them like a fish.
#6 Get On the Bus (20/1) – A bomb that the Conductor will use underneath, this filly looks to get a nice trip with a hot pace to close into. She should improve on the stretch-out and O’neil clearly thinks highly of her, throwing her into graded stakes right away.
Race 8: 1 ¼ Mile (Turf) G1 Flower Bowl
#1 Cambier Parc (5/2) – The Conductor has always been a fan of this filly. 2nd off the layoff for Chad she’s the one to beat.
#4 La Signare (8/1) – She’s been facing tougher competition than this group and has run well despite not getting into the winner’s circle. At a nice price in a small field the Conductor will include her.
Race 9: 1 ¼ Mile. G1 Jockey Club Gold Cup Stakes
#4 Tacitus (1/1) – This isn’t a great betting race, but Tacitus should destroy this field (tell me if you’ve heard that before). He’s let people down enough times that he may be a higher price than he should. The Conductor will take anything over even money.
Race 10: 1 Mile (Turf) G2 Sands Point
This looks like another chalky race to the Conductor. #1 Tamahere (5/2) will be is top pick, but #3 Selflessly and #5 Miss J McKay (7/2) are the only other winning contenders and he doesn’t have a strong opinion.
Keeneland:
Race 8: 1 1/8 Mile. G2 Hagyard Fayette Stakes
Now this is a good gambling race and the Conductor likes some prices.
*Double Barreled Buckshot #1 Coastal Defense (6/1) – This colt continues to steadily progress and improve the further he runs. He can put himself in a good spot early and wont tire.
#10 Aurelius Maximus (10/1) – This colt was well meant as a baby and has struggled to stay on the racetrack. He looked very good in his comeback win off a break last time and looks to be sitting on a big one 2nd off the layoff.
The Conductor will mainly be using those two, but #4 Mirinaque (15/1) is an intriguing bomb that he will use a little bit as well. He was ultra-consistent in Argentina on both turf and dirt and against massive fields. His only race in the states was behind Maximum Security and he didn’t show his best that day. He’s a wildcard that will be a huge number.
Race 9: 1 1/8 Mile. (Turf) F.G1 Queen Elizabeth II Challenge Cup S
#4 Magic Attitude (5/2) – This filly looked smooth as silk in her first start in the US last time. The Conductor thinks she’ll be very tough to beat.
#6 Hendy Woods (10/1) – She was checked hard in her last start and was still able to run 2nd behind Sharing, who would be favored in here. She’ll be a nice price and take a big step forward with a clean trip.
#1 Harvey’s Little Goyle (3/1) – The Conductor has been impressed by her versatility at Keeneland and the shorter distance will help her today.
