6/10/22
5 BEL The BEL Gold Cup (GII)
$400.000 4yo&Up 1 1/2m Turf 123lbs
Friday stakes racing as we get set for the third leg of the TC races and here we catch a field of seven turf marathon types for The BEL Gold Cup (GII), a mile and a half stakes on the lush BEL turf. I took Key Biscayne as the top choice today since he seems logical off of that big win in the Pan Am (GII) at GP. He got a big tired last out but was out winging it in a shorter race and getting back to this distance spells win to me. Let’s go to the far outside and give Rotarian the second spot. The big barn had him sprinting on the main track and moved him to longer races and saw immediate improvement… he ran big on soft turf at HOU and followed that up with a big race here, so he’s another logical choice at the betting windows.
Here’s The Field –
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Plucky Flash | Rock Creek | Davis D | 123 | 10/1 |
Five wins last season but he’s still looking for his first win of ’22. He was second vs OptAlw horses at SA going a mile, but this is obviously tougher than that. Tired after pressing the pace in the Makers Mark Mile (GI) so he needs to find some old magic and make it go a long way today.
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Key Biscayne | TwinTowersRacing | Velazquez J R | 123 | 7/2 |
Looked good winning at today’s distance when he took the Pan Am (GII) at GP on the soggy sod of SoFla. Set the pace in the Forrester (GI) last out going shorter, but I think this is a distance and a spot where he can shine. Watch him.
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Smoking Makes You Il | Night Rider Stables | Castellano J J | 123 | 8/1 |
He’s had a case of seconditus this season as the runner up in the Unusual Heat at SA, the Tampa Turf Classic and over this track last out in the Flat Out. Moves up to graded horses, but he’s been closing well and the added distance could be just what he wants.
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Rowdy Rb | Broken Spoke Stables | Elliott S | 123 | 10/1 |
I have a soft spot for this one since I now own his dam and have a 2yo full sister to him. He changed hands from the big barn four races back and he’s been close in just about all starts since – the down side is his only graded race was also his worst finish, so this could be a bit deeper than his ability. Then again, he won by five at the distance and his first trip to the sod, so he has some real upside.
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Lord City | Our Athletes | Saez L | 123 | 10/1 |
Very consistent type that has been facing softer of late. His only charted graded effort was a last of eleven in the Sycamore (GIII) at KEE last fall, and obviously that will not cut it with these. Still, he’s been on the improve since, so maybe he’s around for part of this one.
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Outcrosss | Threshold | Ferrer J C | 123 | 10/1 |
Claimed for a mere $6.250 three back and won straight away for the new barn. H was a respectable fourth in the Muniz Mem (GII) at FG before throwing that dud in the Forrester (GI) last out. Can he turn it around?
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Rotarian | Mb Stables | Rocco J S Jr | 123 | 4/1 |
The big barn switched this one from a dirt sprinter to a turf router and it’s been a good change. He won by four vs Alw types going the marathon distance, then just missed in the Man O War over this track in his most recent trip to the gate. You have to give him a big shot today.
COZMAN 2 / 7 Willie’s Green Card 7 / 4
Categories: Grade II, STAKES ARTICLES
