Belmont Park Horse Racing Picks for Sunday 7/12/20
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 12:30 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, check the program 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.)
Bourbon Mission and Fooch, Race 5
FanDuel Racing Odds: 8/1 and 6/1
Race 5 is the start of the Empire 6 with a mandatory payout and carryover of nearly $500,000 heading into Sunday. The pool will grow, and many bettors will line up on the favorite in this six-furlong sprint on the Inner Turf.
Tenure (3/1) makes his 2020 debut and has finished first or second in 4-of-5 starts. However, he finished fifth over this turf track at the same distance back in October. The meet's leading jockey, Irad Ortiz Jr., rides, and he’s won a meet-high 28% of his mounts. After picking 2-for-2 winners on Saturday’s Belmont card on lower-priced horses plus the Blue Grass Stakes winner, we’ll find better value and options in this race.
The Timeform pace projector is predicting a fast pace with Tenure receiving pressure from Onthewaytonevrland (7/2) on the rail and Elenzee (12/1) for EPO trainer Mike Maker. There will be a jockey change announced for Elenzee, so check changes and scratches as Luis Saez tested positive for COVID-19 Saturday. Onthewaytonevrland is dropping down down after facing tougher competition last year and has speed figures that fit.
Carthon (5/2) is only of interest if the race switches to dirt, which won’t likely happen. Le General (9/2) couldn’t beat cheaper claimers as the favorite last month and has never won on turf. Longshot Cavaradossi (15/1) is intriguing despite just one turf race and going 0-for-5 at Belmont overall. He’s a closer in a race with plenty of speed and pace, and he would be a nice addition to the Empire 6 if he can pull the big upset.
Fooch (6/1) makes his 2020 debut. He won at this level last summer as the favorite, posting a 90 speed figure and passing Tenure in the stretch to get the victory.
Bourbon Mission (8/1) is likely sitting on a good effort off two races last month over this turf track, including a runner-up finish from well off the pace in the stretch. He won over this track last fall from off the pace. He is contender at a nice price, and EPO trainer Rudy Rodriguez likely has him juiced for this turf sprint.
If you’re considering a more secure option for the Empire 6 and still want a decent win payoff, try Wonder In (3/1). He won his last race in February and has speed figures that fit. He also had two solid morning works for his return.
Violent Delights, Race 7
FanDuel Racing Odds: 7/2
Race 7 is a Claiming race ($16K) at 1 1/6 miles. The favorite Bobbyfromthepalm (3/1) makes his 2020 debut and is working very well for his return after breaking his Maiden last December with a nine-length win across one mile.
Violent Delights (7/2) his hit the board in all three starts this year but has been unable to cross the finish line first in any of his last 11 outings. Still, he’s the top pick of numberFire and a best bet at Guaranteed Tip Sheet.
Prince of New York (4/1) would be just that if he could improve his speed rating near that of the two previously mentioned horses and win this race for trainer Englehart on closing day at Belmont. He broke his maiden in January and finished third last month more than five lengths behind runner up Violent Delights.
Beau Belle and Dyna Passer, Race 8
FanDuel Racing Odds: 6/1 and 5/1
Race 8 is the minor River Memories Stakes for older fillies and mares. It looks like a wide open affair with 11 runners tackling the 1 1/2-mile marathon on the turf.
The two favorites are trained by Christophe Clement, who is second at the meet in wins and earnings. Olympic Games (3/1) has leading jockey Irad Ortiz Jr. in the irons. Wegetsdamunnys (7/2) is the top pick of numberFire.
Trainer Tom Albertrani has just one winner in 15 starts at the meet, but his runners have hit the board seven times. He has a pair in here with Dyna Passer (5/1) on the rail and Beau Belle (6/1), who is a best bet at Guaranteed Tip Sheet.
Dyna Passer won as the favorite at this distance in her last race in March against weaker. She was competitive against better over this track last year.
Beau Belle hit a 110 speed figure last fall at this distance and missed the board. It's now her second outing off a layoff after making up ground in the stretch last month and finishing a very close fourth. She’s capable of cashing in at a price.
Lemon Zip (6/1) has great stamina and showed it in this distance last year while many others in here are unproven at the distance.
