Bet this race at Diamond SportsTop pick: #7 (ZAP DADDY) (5-2) - He's been competitive in five of his last six attempts and runs today off a Jay Servis claim and a subsequent two month break. A 4yo by 'Scat daddy', gelding missed by a 'nose' at this level going a mile July 11 at Saratoga. Servis has won with 19 of 58 (33%) first off the claim in 2018-19 and scores at a 28% rate off of length layoffs. I give him a slight edge.
2nd pick: #1 (Blessed Halo) (3-1) - 5yo is speedy and breaks from the rail in his second back following ab eight month layoff. He raced evenly when checking in third at this $35K tag in an 'off the turf' sprint Aug. 18 at Saratoga. A win candidate.
3rd pick: #6 (Corot) (9-2) - He missed by a 'nose' in a local grass sprint facing $50K claimers at this 3l condition July4 in his first race since April 25. In his follow up at Saratoga, this 4yo son of 'Pioneer of the Nile' tired while wide in with $50K starter-allowance foes. This race represents a career soft spot for him and he must be left in the mix.
4th pick: #5 (Elenzee) (8-1) - New York bred won here at this tag and trip facing 'open' foes July 5, then tired at Saratoga in a pair of first-level allowances at the state bred condition. He likes it at Belmont 10-2-4-1, but he needs to step it up for anything more than a minor award.