​Belmont Park Horse Racing Picks for Sunday 6/21/20

With most of the sports world on pause, it's a great time to dive into horse racing, and FanDuel Racing gives you the chance to do just that.

Starting at 1:15 p.m. EST, we have 9 races at Belmont Park. Using our numberFire projections as a guide, here are some of the best bets.

As always, keep an eye out for scratches and changes, and check the weather and track conditions.

(I will reference Equibase's Speed Figure in selected races, which tells you how fast a horse has been running in each of its races -- adjusted for track, distances, and conditions.)

Setting the Mood, Race 3

FD Odds: 9/2

Race 3 is a route with 7 fillies and mares going 1 1/4 miles in the Inner Turf. Cap de Creus (5/2) is the favorite despite just one win in 13 starts. She is still best in class with the best speed figures for this Allowance race of non-winners of more than one race. Cap de Creus missed the board in two Belmont starts last year, but both numberFire and Daily Horse Picks have this Todd Pletcher-trained mare winning against a modest group.

Civil Union (2/1) is the main odds threat with Jose Ortiz riding for Shug McGaughey. Off since January, Civil Union finished second just a half-length behind Cap de Creus in her last race at Gulfstream. This lightly-raced War Front mare is capable of turning the tide.

Setting the Mood (9/2) is worth a shot at a better price for Pletcher’s other runner in here. This is just her third start after winning on the dirt going a route last month and overcoming a wide run into the stretch. Speed figures can climb with good health and stringing races together with more upside.

If none of these win, then Blame Debbie (8/1), who has faced better in graded stakes company and is working well with strong stretch rider Joel Rosario aboard, will likely be the winner.

Cucina, Race 5

FD Odds: 7/2

Morning Breez (7/5) is the favorite in this eight-horse Allowance sprint on the Inner Turf. He has not won since last September but has hit the board in five of six races since and has 18 place or show efforts in 31 starts. He is consistent, but his recent races were on the dirt. This is his second run off the layoff, and he is returning quickly from a June 6 race. Rider Eric Cancel is looking for better results after winning just 8 percent of his 74 starts at the meet. numberFire has Morning Breez on top with FanDuel Racing showing implied odds of 42% to win.

Trainer Bill Mott and top jock Joel Rosario team up with an improving and healthy Cusina (7/2), who strings races together with solid and improving speed figures and is working like a champ in the mornings. Cusina will settle off the pace and come running strong down the stretch. The horse is a definite board hitter and Late Pick 5 inclusion, and we’ll look for a strong effort.

Quarky (5/2) ran well over this track late last year with three straight runner-up finishes. He tossed in a clunker in his 2020 debut in April and is not worth the risk at a low price even with jockey Luis Saez riding.

Montauk Daddy (5/1) makes his 2020 debut for trainer Linda Rice. He showed potential as a 2-year-old last yar and should show speed from the gate and lead. Not counting on him holding up.

Shared Success, Race 9

FD Odds: 6/1

Race 9 concludes the day at Belmont with Maiden state-breds going 1 1/16 miles on the turf. It is a wide-open race on the surface, and let’s look toward EPO trainer Brad Cox to have his colt juiced for his 2020 debut. Shared Success (6/1) is long off the bench without any prep off the layoff having sprinted previously. If this horse wins, you’ll better understand the power and potential of EPO. Strong stretch rider Joel Rosario gives him a leg up.

Bricco (7/2) also makes his 2020 debut and should be in the mix, according to FanDuel Racing, but Zipalong (9/2) may do just that from the No. 11 post with Belmont Stakes-winning jockey Manny Franco along for the ride.

Golconda (8/1) is a French-bred with plenty of stateside experience. Golconda has better turf form of these, with three races earlier this year and speed figures that can fit while moving up in the claming ranks.

numberFire likes longshot Supply Sider (20/1) if he draws into the race from the Also Eligible list.