Belmont Horse Racing Picks For Friday 5/21/21
It's a great time to dive into horse racing, and FanDuel Racing gives you the chance to do just that.
Starting at 1:05 p.m. EST, we have nine races at Belmont Park. Using our 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.)
Bourbon Country and More Like It, Race 4
FanDuel Racing Odds: 9/5 and 8/1
Race 4 is an Allowance sprint at 6 furlongs on the inner turf. numberFire's data projects Advance Notice (5/2) to upset the favorite, Bourbon Currency (9/5), with Jose Ortiz riding. However, Advance Notice is scheduled to run only if the race is taken off the turf, and leading jockey Irad Ortiz, Jr. will instead ride contending speed front runner Brazillionaire (7/2).
Bourbon Country has a set of speed figures that makes him a deserving favorite, and he’s finished in the exacta (top 2) in 12 of 23 turf starts with nine runner-up finishes, according to Horse Racing Radar.
The rail horse, More Like It (8/1), has some appeal at longer odds. He turns back in distance off a layoff, and this gelding has previously run a series of solid races against winners.
Forever Mo and Seismic Wave, Race 6
FanDuel Racing Odds: 6/1 and 3/1
Race 6 is a higher Claiming race at 1 1/16 miles on the turf. numberFire's algorithm projects Seismic Wave (3/1) to win over the favorite, Danebury (5/2).
Seismic Wave is the classiest horse in the race and is coupled with Grumps Little Tots. Top EPO trainer Chad Brown has been unable to get Seismic Wave turned around over the past year or more, as he’s lost his late kick. He drops down to a lower level, but questions remain.
Carom (5/2) is part of another entry with Battalion, and Carom returns to the track after nearly a year since being claimed last summer.
Forever Mo (6/1) ran well at Gulfstream and won at this level in March. He’s missed in two races since, but form and price suggest an in-the-money finish and a better trip could end up in the winner's circle.
Shiraz, Race 8
FanDuel Racing Odds: 4/1
Race 8 is an Allowance sprint at 6 furlongs on the inner turf. The numberFire data projects favorite Wudda U Think Now (4/5) to win as a fit and top runner. But the race would have to get moved to the dirt, which is not likely, so he’ll probably scratch. Wudda U Think now won 2-of-4 starts this year and finished runner-up in a stakes race last month while posting a career-best 109 speed figure on the dirt.
So turn to Shiraz (4/1) in a weaker field with EPO trainer Mike Maker battling fellow EPO trainer Chad Brown and his colt, Ahead of Plan (2/1). Maker is running his colt on a five-day turnaround as Shiraz finished second here last Sunday. The race was very fast early and fell apart late. But Shiraz finished willingly, and we’ll bet on the buy sign of the trainer bringing Shiraz right back to race.
