Padding Your Bankroll: Wednesday October 1

National horse racing handicapper Michael Dempsey will attempt to pad his bankroll and yours with his daily column. He will feature at least one Pick 3 or Pick 4 play from a major track along with coverage of major stakes races, longshots, and he will keep you up to date on what is happening on the circuits he covers.

There are two Grade 3 stakes on the menu at Belmont Park today. The $150,000 Pilgrim Stakes and the $150,000 Miss Grillo Stakes were originally scheduled to be run on Sunday, but a soggy turf course and heavy rains forced the cancellation.

Both of the races are Breeders’ Cup Challenge “Win and You’re In” races, meaning they must be run on the grass. There is more rain in the forecast for today, but it seems certain they will stick to the grass, which will likely be yielding to soft.

Both of the stakes are part of today’s Late Pick 3 play.

Today's Play of the Day from Belmont Park:

BEL Race 5 Clm $60,000 (3:08 et)

#3 Sir Winston 3/1

#6 Wafi City 10/1

#7 Digger 4/1

#5 Dark Cheetah 8/1

Analysis: #3 Sir Winston went gate to wire to beat Alw-3 optional claimers last out in NJ and comes in here in razor sharp form, winning back to back races. In for a straight tag here for his third start of his current form cycle. The gelding runs well on dirt, poly, turf and has run very well on off tracks, winning 3 of 4 starts. Looks capable of winning right back for Asmussen barn that started off the meet here going 4 for 10.

#6 Wafi City makes his third start off the bench here for McLaughlin. Came up short last out in his turf debut and the switch back to the main track should suit. Four back over the main track here in a one turn mile the colt earned a 100 Beyer in a runner up finish. The colt is bred top and bottom to handle a wet track and another jump forward third off the bench and the 10/1 ML looks fair enough to toss him in the mix.

Wagering

WIN: #3 to win at 5/2 or better.

EX: 3,6 / 3,5,6,7

TRI: 3,6 / 3,5,6,7 / 2,3,5,6,7

Belmont Park Pick 3 Play:

Starting in Race 7: $1: 1,4,8,9 / 8,9 / 1,6,11 = $24

BEL Race 7 Ms Grillo S. G3 (4:12 et)

#9 Casanova Move, #1 Consequence, #4 Freedom Rings, #8 Miss Bodine

#9 Casanova Move will be making her first start on turf here off a fourth place finish on the main track in the G1 Spinaway last out. She bobbled coming out of the gate, then was rushed up along the inside to chase the early pace and weakened in the stretch to finish 7 3/4 lengths behind the winner. She was a good looking maiden winner in her second career start, drawing clear to win by 9 1/4 lengths and the effort was flattered when the runner up and third place finishers both came back to graduate next out. She should take to the turf, by Langfuhr (9% first turf) out of a Pleasant Colony mare that has dropped six other winners, two turf winners.

#1 Consequence broke her maiden in her debut and we don't see Shug having his firsters cranked up first time out very often. She has bumped coming out of the gate and had to check slightly, and drew off late to win by three lengths. She should love the extra ground. She is by El Prado out of the G1 winner Educated Risk ($1.1 million) who has dropped four other winners including stakes winner Strategy ($221K). She figures to move forward with a race under her belt.