Belmont Horse Racing Picks For Thursday 5/13/21
It's a great time to dive into horse racing, and FanDuel Racing gives you the chance to do just that.
Starting at 3:05 p.m. EST, we have nine races at Belmont Park. Using numberFire’s projections as a guide, here are some of the best bets.
As always, check for scratches and changes, and monitor 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).
Lemieux, Race 2
FanDuel Racing Odds: 9/5
Race 2 is a Maiden Special Weight for baby two-year-old fillies sprinting 5 furlongs. There are seven runners entered and the top picks, according to numberFire’s data, are the two favorites, Happy Soul (7/5) and Lemieux (9/5).
Happy Soul finished second as the even-money favorite a month ago in her debut, and has come back with a sharp training session on her work tab. The daughter of Runhappy is trained by Wesley Ward.
Lemieux was sired by 2016 Kentucky Derby winner Nyquist. She makes her debut with a good foundation of workouts including a sharp 4 furlong work over the Belmont surface last week. Little return, but an exacta with the two best runners is in play.
I Can Run (3/1) has the meet's leading jockey Irad Ortiz, Jr. riding, and she too makes her career debut.
Home Run Maker and Square Shooter, Race 5
FanDuel Racing Odds: 15/1 and 5/2
Race 5 is a high-end Claiming race and 10 runners will sprint 6 furlongs. That includes the outside horse with the best name, Home Run Maker (15/1), who is a threat at longer odds. numberFire's algorithm projects Clench (9/2) and Copper Town (5/1) to decide the winner, and T Loves A Fight (6/1) to hit the board.
Clench has hit the board in five of his six starts this year with a pair of triple-digit speed figures. He finished third over this track last month racing an extra furlong, but won over this track last October. Leading jockey Manny Franco rides.
Copper Town has been on a downward trajectory since winning last year, and T Loves A Fight has failed to win in his last 17 starts.
Square Shooter (5/2) is a versatile runner who has to be considered the horse to beat off a couple of quality runner-up finishes in his last two starts, one of which was earned at this level. A pair of triple-digit speed figures shows his speed, including a win this year.
Home Run Maker has been off since February but has been training well for his return. He makes his first start off the claim for trainer Natalia Lynch, who moves him up in class as well. This colt should like the hot pace up front with a chance to surprise down the lane.
Klickitat, Race 8
FanDuel Racing Odds: 3/1
Race 8 is the featured race with eight scheduled runners on the Inner Turf. The 1 1/16 mile race is for state-bred runners, and our data projects the favorite Control Group (2/1) to outkick Klickitat (3/1) to the finish line. However, Control Group will only run if the race is moved from the turf to dirt.
Klickitat clocked one of the best times in a workout here last week. He makes his 2021 debut, and finished a very close second here last October with a 99 speed figure. Klickitat improved greatly last fall, including when he won and beat closer Good Old Boy (5/2) at this same distance. Solid trainer Jimmy Jerkens spots his horse well for his return.
