On Friday at Aqueduct’s “Belmont on the Massive A” race meet, 11 gifted 2-year-olds will race 1 1/16 miles on turf within the $200,000, Grade 2 Pilgrim Stakes, a “Win and You’re In” qualifying race for the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Turf Oct. 31.
Lots of the entrants exit races at Saratoga, which is value noting since 12 of the final 13 Pilgrim winners prepped at Saratoga.
We’ll rely on #4 Bottas to maintain the streak of Saratoga success alive. He impressed when debuting in a 1 1/16-mile maiden particular weight over the Saratoga turf. After ranking as many as 7 ½ lengths behind a fast tempo, he rallied strongly within the homestretch (regardless of racing a bit greenly) to win by 2 ¼ lengths.
Since that race, Bottas has turned in a pointy sequence of half-mile exercises at Saratoga’s coaching monitor, together with three on turf. The son of scorching younger sire Vekoma seems like a gifted prospect with numerous upside for coach Miguel Clement, who wins at a robust 22% fee in graded stakes races.
Due to the Pilgrim’s giant area, the chances on Bottas ought to be excessive sufficient to warrant a win guess. Nevertheless it’s additionally tempting to play an exacta (which requires choosing the highest two finishers so as) in hopes of catching an excellent bigger payoff.
#2 Heeere’s Johnny is a logical candidate to complete second. Though he’s but to win a race, Heeere’s Johnny has proven expertise on turf. He was compromised by an especially gradual tempo when ending second to Ultimate Rating in a 1 1/16-mile maiden particular weight at Saratoga, after which he stepped up in school to complete second (once more to Ultimate Rating) in Saratoga’s 1 1/16-mile, Grade 3 With Anticipation Stakes.
#11 Let’s Be Frank is likewise winless, however he ran nicely in his lone begin to date. He debuted in a turf maiden particular weight sprinting three-quarters of a mile at Aqueduct. A bumping begin left Let’s Be Frank seven lengths off the early tempo, and he was nonetheless seven lengths behind with an eighth of a mile remaining. However regardless of racing greenly, he devoured up floor to complete third by one size.
Within the Pilgrim, Let’s Be Rank will put on blinkers for the primary time, which might assist him race extra professionally. Stretching out over 1 1/16 miles gives additional potential for enchancment.
Combine in Aqueduct maiden winner #8 Noble Dynasty racing for the Kentucky Derby-winning workforce of coach Invoice Mott and jockey Junior Alvarado, and we’ll have an excellent likelihood to money a successful exacta.
Wagering Technique on a $10 Funds
$10 to win on #4 Bottas
What to say on the betting window: Belmont on the Massive A, eighth race, $10 to win on 4
Wagering Technique on a $30 Funds
$18 to win on #4 Bottas
What to say on the betting window: Belmont on the Massive A, eighth race, $18 to win on 4
$4 exacta: 4 with 2,8,11 ($12)
What to say on the betting window: Belmont on the Massive A, eighth race, $4 exacta 4 with 2,8,11
Good luck, and benefit from the race!
