McLean’s “Bonus Coverage:” Selections for the Stakes on Belmont Stakes Day — June 7

(Stats to be updated)

Here’s our looks at the Stakes races carded for Saratoga — The Spa — on Saturday for the final leg and the final day of Belmont Stakes festivities. Once again, NYRA has moved this week of racing to the prestigious vacation spot, while restoration and recreating of Belmont Park continues on the big park located on Long Island.

Here’s hoping you can watch and wager, as we may be witnessing the next great rivalry in the history of all sports materialize.

After all?

Ali had Frazier.

The Brooklyn Dodgers had the New York Giants before both teams ended up in California and the intensity renewed.

The Boston Celtics had the Los Angeles Lakers.

The Packers had the Cowboys.

Palmer had Nicklaus.

Navratilova had Evert.

Connors had McEnroe.

And, after all?

Affirmed had Alydar.

Sunday Silence had Easy Goer.

Now, after all is said and done, we may have Journalism vs. Sovereignty vs. Baeza.

On this day, we get to see the next step in that developing story in the final leg of this year’s Triple Crown — the G1 Belmont Stakes.

Take a deep breath.

Take a deep review.

Take it all in.

This is what we live for in sports.

A true rivalry.

6th: 6-2-1/8-4-5/3…G2 Wonder Again Stakes…The first of 8 Stakes — all Graded with 5 Grade 1s — begins here. This is a 11/16-mile router over the grass and I line up with a horse who could be one of the best American-bred turf experts to come along in quite some time — Nitrogen (6). This 3YO gal by Medaglia d’Oro has the breeding and has won 5 in a row and has gotten better and better in each. Last out in the G2 Edgewood at Churchill Downs, get put the comp away and throttled down. That’s how good she is. Damn good. But that doesn’t mean she can’t lose, either. At a place that is know to be the “Graveyard of Champs,” don’t be shocked if this even-money lady has a time of it. May Day Ready (2) has already defeated Nitrogen once, getting the best of her to be 2nd in the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile at Del Mar last November. But this one has not started since an overseas trip last December, which turned into a debacle. Big ask here. My “Upset Special of the Day” does come here with Al Jafara (1). This one was bred in Great Britain and won in France before coming here. Won her first race in the States for trainer Chad Brown, coming from way back to win a high-priced allowance at KEE over a “good track.” This gal could be anything and is 6-1 in the ML. I go big here. Big. I bet the 1 to win/place/show and double/triple/quadruple down in the win wager. I box the top 3 numbers in the exactas. I box the 1-6 in another. And, I key the 1 over/under the “all button” in two more. I use the 1-6 in the horizontal plays.

7th: 6-5-4/1-2/8-3…G3 True North Stakes…This is a 6.5 furlong sprint for the older guys and I go with Mullikin (6). This one is a perfect 1-for-1 here, having easily won the G1 Forego Stakes last August by a whopping 53/4 lengths. Gets regular rider, Prat, back after a loss inn the G1 Churchill Downs over a sloppy track in May. That means a lot to horses like this. Track condition is a concern, though. Only other run over an “off track,” was in the Maxfield Stakes at Ellis Park in July of 2023. Was easily defeated in that one, although was 2nd. Book’em Danno (5) ran 4th in the same race as Mullikin last time out. This one was defeated by a neck, though, with a blanket 4-horse finish. That is this one’s only try over a sloppy track. Hmmm. Has 2 races here — with a win and a third. Won the G1 Woody Stephens here a year ago. Was third to Domestic Product inn the G1 Allen Jerkens. Nakatomi (4) has travelled the world for trainer Wesley Ward. Has 3 races here. Two wins and a third. Comes back from the Middle East, where he was 2nd last out. That trip can zap a horse for a long time. Not enough rest for me here. I bet the 6 across the board and then box the 6-5 solidly in the exactas. I will key the 6-5 over/under the 4-1-2 in two smaller versions. I use the 6-5-4 in my horizontals. 

8th: 1-2/5-4/3…G1 Metropolitan Mile…This race carries a whopping $1 million purse. And, it attracts a fields of 5? Five? Are you kidding me. This race is one of the most historic in the land and many breeders look to the winner of this race as a potential superstar stallion ready to emerge. And, it attracts a field of 5? Five? Really? Five? Unreal. Still, the top 2 horses here are truly legit. Fierceness (1) is coming off a track-record performance in winning the G2 Alysheba at Churchill Downs. Before that, he was 2nd to Sierra Leon in the Breeders’ Cup Classic last November at Del Mar. Before that, though, he won the G1 Travers Stakes on this very track. Is a perfect 3-for-3 here. Not bad. But the next possible pick, White Abarrio (2), would not be a bad pick either. After running a disappointing 10th in last year’s Met Mile, he won the next race by 10 and three of the next four outings. This guy has a win in the Breeders’ Cup Classic in 2023 at Santa Anita. They look dominant here. But guess what? Combined, they have run this distance 5 times between them. Together, just 1 win and 2 thirds. Ugh. It is possible the top two hook up in a killer’s speed duel, too. So? Just a Touch (4) has raced just twice since last July — nearly a year ago. He won an allowance at the Fair Grounds by 10. Came back to win an allowance at KEE by 7. If he can rate just off a speed deal, could he torment the top 2. Maybe. But I doubt it. I bet the 1 to win/place and then key the 1 over the 2-5-4 in the exactas. I am going to box the 1-4 in a modest exacta combo, too. I use the 1-4 in the horizontals. 

9th: 2-9/3/5-8/7…G1 Jaipur Stakes…The 5.5-furlong sprint over the soggy sod comes here and I line up with the prohibitive favorite Think Big (2). Solid 6-5 odds in the Brisnet.com ML. And, why not? Has 3 wins in a row and 4 in the last 5 races coming in. Regular rider Ben Curtis is back for the set. Sharp work at Fair Hill coming in, too. Can stalk. Can finish. And, never beaten at this distance. Never. Ag Bullet (9) is a mare running against colts and geldings in here, and that’s not something we do, normally, in this country. But this daughter of Twirling Candy was “jobbed” in her last start at Churchill Downs on May 2. Was going to win until her regular jockey — Umberto Rispoli (remember the Preakness) — stuck this one on the rail and in an impossible win scenario. No hole. No way to get through. No chance to win at the favorite. Now, Rispoli has been fired and replace by the best grass rider in the land. Mare should improve with the 2nd start off the layoff, too. Watch out here for a possible upset. I bet the 9 — take note — to win/place/show. I box the 2-9-3 in the exactas. I will key the 2 over/under the “all button” in a smaller unit, too. 

10th: 1/4-7-9/3-5/10-2…G3 Pennine Ridge Stakes…This is a G3 event to be run over the 11/16-mile inner turf course with a purse of $300,000. But it is worrisome to me that of the field of 10, 3 of them are coming off a maiden win and one has not even won a single race, as of yet. That’s truly alarming. The top pick here for me is Zulu Kingdom (1) and he is one of our “Key Plays of the Day.” If this 3YO Irish bred runs his race? Nobody can match strides. Nobody in this race. And, there’s no reason to think that he does not or can not run his best. He has won over a “good track.” He has won here over a firm track. And, he has won over a “soft track” in France and a yielding track at Aqueduct. Five wins in 6 races. Only loss came in the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Turf at Del Mar last year. Flavien Prat is his regular rider and knows his game better than anyone else. Look for a stalk and pounce effort. Emphasis on the pounce. Flying Mohawk (4) had no chance in the Kentucky Derby. Should not have run in it. Was 18th and was beaten 42 lengths. But he is now back on sod, where he has 2 wins and a runner-up in 5 tries. Ran 5th to Zulu in the G2 Pilgrim last year. But that may be the best anyone in this race can do. Mi Bago (7) is a NY-bred, but does have some impressive runs in open company. Speedster may be able to hold on to grab a part at the line. Noble Confessor (9) is the maiden in here. Son of Quality Road has been 2nd twice and did run 2nd to Zulu in the Pilgrim as a maiden last year. Beaten only a neck then. That’s a strong credential. I use. I definitely use here. I bet the 1 to win/place and double down on the win. I box the 1-9 in the exactas. Strong. I key the 1-9 over/under 4-7-3-5 in two smaller units. I use the 1-9 in my horizontal plays. 

11th: 5-7/10-3/2-11/8-9-4…G1 Woody Stephens Stakes…This is a 7-furlong sprint race for the 3YOs, and one of the best, most entertaining events of the entire racing year. I think it could be a perfect spot for the remodeling of Citizen Bull (5), too. This son of Into Mischief is just not cut out to be an expert router, IMO. He showed that when he sprinted to the lead in the Kentucky Derby and then faded dramatically to 15th at the finish. Part of that could be blamed on old and former rider Martin Garcia. But the fact is this horse has plenty of speed and likes to utilize it early and often. Two turns is not the place to be when you have that kind of talent and a head full of strong. The turn back here to this distance should be perfect for this one. And, thusly, he is my “Key Play of the Day.” Especially at his ML odds of 5-1. Lock. Loaded. And, look out. Colloquial (7) is by another outstanding stallion at Spendthrift Farm — Vekoma. And, he is a whirlwind talent. Won the 7-furlong Lafayette Stakes at KEE in April. Off since. But he can wheel, too. Steps up in class here. Has never faced one like our top pick ever before. That could turn his head. Chancer McPatrick (10) is a perfect 2-for-2 over this track and the back-up in stance should help this one, too. Has a win here in the G1 Hopeful Stakes last year. That was at today’s distance, as well. Warrants a look. I bet the 5 across the board and double/triple down on the win wager. I box the 5-7 in one set of exactas. I key the 5 over/under the 7-10-3-2-11 in two smaller units. 

12th: 9-2-6/3-4/5-1/8…G1 Manhattan Stakes…This is a 13/16-mile distance event over the sod and here’s hoping that the grass dries out enough to keep these races green. I would look for horse that either likes the soft going, or has a history of running over a yielding track. Rains are expected to soak the course. I go with a horse with a proven record over a “good” courage. That is Far Bridge (9), a 5YO horse by the established grass sire English Channel. This guy has raced 16 times and has hit the board in 13 of them. Has a win and 2 thirds at the distance. But, most of all, has won each his last two over a track rated “good.” True stalker should get a good trip. If he does? Watch out. Integration (2) is a 5YO son of Quality Road and trained by HOFer Shug McGaughey. Has 2 runner-ups in 3 starts this year, and will make his first appearance at Saratoga. Has run over yielding and soft turf courses before and was 2nd at KEE in the G1 Maker’s Mark Mile just two starts ago. Last race is a toss for me. Got an awful trip from Franco Dettori and now gets the best grass rider in the land. Big chance here, too. I bet the 9-2 across the board and then box the top 3 numbers in the exactas. I will key the top 3 numbers over/under the 3-4 in two smaller units. I use top 5 numbers in my late Pick 5. 

12th: 2/7-6-5/3-1/8…G1 Belmont Stakes…The final leg of this year’s Triple Crown will be held at “The Spa” in Saratoga Springs, NY and not on Long Island, again. The restoration and renovation of the new and improved Belmont Park is still on-going. As a result, the “Test of the Champion” will once again be reduced from its’ historic distance of 11/2-miles to the Kentucky Derby distance of 11/4-miles. But this year’s version — while only 8 horses deep — may be remembered fondly someday and with reverence. The field will boost the Kentucky Derby champ Sovereignty (2) and the Preakness Stakes victor Journalism (7). And, the field will also include the very promising and rapidly rising/emerging Baeza (6), who finished a very game and rapidly-closing 3rd in this year’s “Run for the Roses,” too. If that’s not a matchup that is worthy of developing into a true “rivalry,” then I don’t know what is. The horses are all very talented. The connections are outstanding. And, only time and future encounters can help etch this trio in racing history and lore. Here’s hoping. Here’s toasting. Here’s cheering that we get another matchup that is memory worthy. In this match, I will go with the same horse that I touted often, steadily and heavily in the Kentucky Derby — Sovereignty (2). Despite the allegations that the Saratoga strip has been speed favoring and such racing and handicapping pundits like Ed DeRosa have suggested that the deep-closing Sovereignty has “no chance” to duplicate his Derby run, I think the classy son of Into Mischief not only will have a good chance. I think he has a tremendous chance to add to his already impressive resume. First, there is plenty of speed in the Belmont to set up for a closing run. Both Rodriguez (3), who won this year’s Wood Memorial on the lead and has always preferred the front, and newcomer Crudo (7), who has gone gate-to-wire to win both of his last starts by over 7 lengths each, want the front. They both may demand the front. And, if they do, it will be a rapid-fire run into the first turn and all the way to the top of the stretch — where the real running will begin. If that is not assurance enough that the pace will be hot, then there is Baeza. Despite the fact that he rallied from nearly last to be an impressive 3rd in the Kentucky Derby just a month or so ago, this horse likes to be close to the pace-setters. With jockey Flavien Prat up for the 2nd time now, look for this duo to be just off the two front runners and pressing the button whenever they decide to make the front a true legit horse race. There will be pace. And, that will certainly play to the favor of Journalism (7), who bullied his way to a victory in the Preakness Stakes that probably should have been overturned by the stewards. In this game — although you may very well be the best and most talented horse in the race — you simply can’t run over horses that have already established a spot. You just can’t. Unless you are in Maryland, I guess. This horse loves to come from off the pace as a “true closer,” although not as far back as some may expect. Yet, if rider Umberto Rispoli — who wouldn’t be one of the best riders at this year’s upcoming meet at Ellis Park, much less as good and talented to be considered one of the best in the game — puts his horse in harm’s way again? If he gets him trapped down on the rail with no place to go yet again? If he doesn’t keep him clear and let him utilize his late turn of foot without compromise again? He will get beaten. And, he may be beaten, any ole’ way, by the best horse in the field — Sovereignty (2). The best “deep closer” to come along in years is by one of the best sires to ever cover a mare. Ever. He is trained by one of the best conditioners to ever prepare a young horse for stardom. Ever. And, he is ridden by one of the best, most underrated riders in the history of this game. Ever. And, the bay colt can run, too. While history-to-be-written has to wait, this guy has a chance to become one of this game’s best. Ever. In 6 career starts, he has a record of 3 wins and 2 seconds. His only “off the board” finish came in a 6-furlong first outing at Saratoga. Too short. He ran 2nd by a neck in his second start and then ran a very, fast-closing second to Tappan Street in the G1 Florida Derby. Other than that? A win in a G3. A win in a G2. A win in a G1. And, the best may be coming. Despite clipping heals and stumbling at the start of the Kentucky Derby, rider Junior Alvarado put this colt into a good running spot, which allowed him to zoom when he was asked to zoom. Unimpeded. Clear. With purpose. And, he zoomed right by Journalism as if he was the only one running. It could be a precedent-setting moment in time, when the developing rivalries are chiseled into time and stone. Let’s hope it is. I bet the 2 across the  board and double, triple, quadruple down on the win wager. (The fact that this Kentucky Derby winner could end up the 3rd betting choice in a field of 8 is truly amazing.) I will key the 2 over the 7-6-5 strong. I will box the 2-7 strong. And, I will box the 2-5 small. Did I mention that I like the 2? The 2 is a single for me in late Pick 5 and Pick 6.

Good Luck & All the Best / Gene