Belmont Park – Best Bet on July 15th Occurs in Race 8

Race 8 at Belmont Park on Thursday is a State-Bred Optional Claiming $50,000n2x 7-furlong turf race.

There doesn’t appear to be a lot of speed in the race.  That’s why my overlaid pick should have a great shot at going to gate to wire.

Belmont Park  - Thursday

Where:  Belmont Park – Race 8

When:  July 15th, 2010 at 4:45 pm EST

TV:  TVG and HRTV

Optional Claiming $52,000n2x

For Three-Years-Old And Upward Foaled In New York State And Approved By The New York State-Bred Registry Which Have Never Won Two Races Other Than Maiden, Claiming, Or Starter, Or Which Have Never Won Three Races Or Optional Claiming Price $50,000

7 furlongs over turf

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1-Extra Zip – - 12/1 morning line horse betting odds

Extra Zip’s only race at 7 furlongs on the turf resulted in a 3 length victory.  Zip figures to enjoy the turn back to distance after running at 1 1/6th miles on the turf in his last 2 races.  Zip lost those two races by a combined 37 ¾ lengths, but he takes a huge drop in class, gets the rail where jockey Kent D. can automatically rush to the lead, and should have enough in the tank to hold off the closers.  He’s the pick at those awesome 12 to 1 morning line odds.

3-Gold Vendetta – - 7/2 morning line horse betting odds

Gold Vendetta has failed at this level in his last 2 races, but both efforts were very, very good.  The jockey switch from Victor Santiago to JJ Castellano should definitely help his cause and Gold Vendetta showed the ability to stay close to the pace in a few races at Aqueduct in March.  If Castellano puts this fella right off of Extra Zip, he could run past that one in the stretch.
 
9-Mor Chances – - 2/1 morning line horse betting odds

Trainer Richard Dutrow saddled this fella to a ½ lengths victory at this level in his last.  Mor Chances is definitely a deserving favorite, but I didn’t like how he swung wide and got up late in that last race.  He showed a ton of speed last summer but has turned into something of a closer.  Lezcano usually doesn’t push them hard early.  That could put Mor Chances into a compromising position in this race.  I’m using for sure, but my win money is going elsewhere.

Other Horses

6-Gold Bear – - Could press Extra Zip and should go off at around his 30 to 1 morning line odds.

8-Hot Money – - Has 3 victories out of 6 tries over Belmont’s turf course.  Has 2 victories out of 3 tries at the distance.

Horse Wagering Strategy

A lot of signs point to Extra Zip possibly stealing this race on the front end.  I’m going to bet him to win and place.  I will also bet an exacta with Extra Zip over Mor Chances and Gold Vendetta.

I will bet a trifecta keying 1-Extra Zip with 3-Gold Vendetta, 8-Hot Money, 9-Mor Chances, with 3-Gold Vendetta, 6-Gold Bear, 8-Hot Money, 9-Mor Chances.  I will bet another trifecta keying 3-Gold Vendetta, 8-Hot Money, 9-Mor Chances with 1-Extra Zip with 3-Gold Vendetta, 6-Gold Bear, 8-Hot Money, 9-Mor Chances.

Good luck!

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