Friday, July 5, 2019

Handicapper's Corner: 2019 Belmont Oaks Invitational

Strong Group of Turf Fillies in Belmont Oaks

By: Michael Mills, ThoroFan Member



Saturday's Grade 1 Belmont Oaks Invitational or the “Chad Brown Invitational” is for 3-year-old fillies, going 1 1/4 miles on the inner turf course at Belmont Park.


 The Belmont Oaks Invitational is the first leg of the “Turf Tiara.”  The second leg coming Friday, August 2, at Saratoga with the inaugural Saratoga Oaks at 1 3/16-miles, and the final leg will be the new Jockey Club Oaks September 7 at Belmont.




Olendon - Bary/J. Velazquez
Find it interesting that this French-bred was just purchased by well-meant owners and will be trained by Chad Brown after this race.  Beaten just one-length in a Group 1 over the pond last time out racing the one mile and a quarter distance. Has run well on soft turf as well.  Looking for this girl to make a good representation of herself in here with a bright future ahead.

Newspaperofrecord - C. Brown/I. Ortiz Jr.
Clearly the Breeders’ Cup Champ has talent but her last two raise a red flag as to how far does she really want to go.  In her first two starts this year she has appeared headstrong.  Concrete Rose appeared to be more prepared for their last meeting.  With some other potential speed in here (Jodie) she might get a better pace to rate and if so, may be very tough to run down in the stretch even with the distance question mark.

Coral Beach - A. O’Brien/M. Hussey
Filly has already started 16 time but with just two wins.  Has kept good company with two Grade 1 appearances.  May enjoy the added ground.

Concrete Rose - G. Arnold II/J. Leparoux
This young lady has done little wrong thus far in her career winning four of five.  Her only defeat came in the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Fillies Turf won by Newspaperofrecord.  Rose took the win however in their last matchup as much the best.  Hard to ignore this one.

Café Americano - C. Brown/J. Castellano
Unbeaten in two career starts she is stepping up big time in class to this Grad event, but after all it is the Chad Brown invitational so who knows.

Just Wonderful - A. O’Brien/W. Lordan
The second one in here from O’Brien has kept good company this being her fifth Grade 1 appearance.  Would need to step up her game to make an impact in     here, maybe the increase in distance helps her do just that.

Jodie - H. Toda/M. Muto
The Japan invader appears to bring speed with her to this event. This Miss has run the distance twice.  Reportedly runs better turning left.

Dyna Passer - T. Albertrani/J. Rosario
Ran well in both starts this year on the turf breaking her maiden going longer in her last.  While her figures seem low her breeding for the grass and distance intrigues me a bit.  She could pick up a share at a price if she improves.

Cambier Parc C. Brown/J. Ortiz, another filly from Brown, she comes in here off a win in the Wonder Again on the Belmont grass (outer course) besting Newpaperofrecord.  She appears to be improving with racing and age, also working well.


The Plays
Would not be surprised to see two of the three Chad Brown fillies run one/two in here.  Although concerned about if she can get the distance, Newspaperofrecord gets a better set up in here than in her last two and beats this field at what most likely will be another short price.  I’m going to try to be creative in this event and see if maybe just maybe we can squeeze out a fair priced trifecta.

$3 tri  1-2-8 / 1-2-4-8-9 / 1-2-4-6-8-9 $72

Have A Day!

No comments:

Post a Comment