Independence Day Horse Play - Belmont Park Race 7

Horse Pick of the Day: Belmont Park – Race 7

Race-day: 7/4/2009

Race-time: 4:12 pm est.

Belmont Park’s full day of racing on Saturday is highlighted by three graded races. That doesn’t mean, though, that the other races aren’t worth looking at. The BetUS online racebook offers traditional thoroughbred race betting on practically every race in the United States.

With that in mind, the best bet of the day on Saturday might occur in the 7th at Belmont Park. That race is a $30,000 state bred optional claimer on the turf at 1 1/16th miles.

Let’s take a look at Race 7 at Belmont Park on Saturday.

Belmont Park – Race 7

State Bred Optional Claiming $30,000 n2x

For Three Year Olds 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 of $30,000

1 1/16th miles on turf

Minnie Punt - - 3/1 fair online odds

Throw out speed ratings when it comes to Minnie Punt. The speed ratings aren’t overly impressive, but that’s because this gelding out of Gold Fever likes to hang behind the pace, no matter what that pace is, before taking over in the lane. He can run fast early, slow early, pretty much anyway that jockey John Velasquez wants him to run before having to kick it into gear. He’s won two in a row and should make it three in this race.

Dantastic - - 7/2 fair online odds

This 5 year old gelding sired by Victory Gallop has never made the leap to stakes company. That’s okay because he’s picked up enough paychecks to win over $145,000. Dantastic steadied around the far turn and hung in his last, but with a cleaner trip, he should be right there. Jockey Rajiv Maragh usually always puts him into a good position and there’s no doubt that Dantastic can win this.

Admiral Bird - - 5/1 fair online odds

Admiral Bird would prefer soft turf as he was fantastic in his last on the soft going, but this field isn’t nearly as tough as some might think and he’s obviously in very good form. Jockey J.J. Castellano is underrated and Bird has 2 victories and 3 seconds at the distance. He’s got a good shot in this.

Wagering Strategy

I’m going to bet Minnie Punt to win and place. This race is ultra-tough. So, I’m going to skip the trifecta and exacta and instead put together a small Pick 3 starting in this race with:

Race 7: 3 - Minnie Punt, 7 - Dantastic, 9 – Admiral Bird

Race 8: 1 – Warrior’s Reward, 2 – Convocation, 3 – Kensei

Race 9: 2 – Cat Moves, 4 – Light Green