Bet this race at Diamond SportsTop pick: #8 (ZIPMAN) (5-2) - Unraced since early August, 5yo by 'City Zip' is making his first start away from the So. California circuit. Competitive on both turf and dirt against tougher, he's dropping in class for his new trainer, Rob Atras 9-of-22 (41%) with fresh arrivals to his barn in 2018-19. Training steadily at Belmont, he draws a nice outside post and I like his chances.
2nd pick: #6 (Bronxville) (7-2) - A speedy 3yo gelding, he's cutting back in distance after tiring to finish fourth going 8.5 furlongs here for a $40K tag May 3. Competitive sprinting in the past, he drops to a new low and gets a rider upgrade to Manny Franco.
3rd pick: #2 (Thenorthremembers) (4-1) - This colt by 'Violence' sold for $350,000 as a yearling back in Sept. of 2017. He finished a distant second here when debuting for a $50K tag Feb. 15 at Aqueduct and was claimed that day by Linda Rice. Given a two month break, 3yo raced evenly when checking in fourth going 8.5 furlongs on the Laurel turf course April 19. Back sprinting, he drops under the claimed price and is making back-to-back starts for the first time.
4th pick: #3 (Into the Breach) (5-2) - On the sidelines since July 5, he's finished second in 6 of 11 starts with most coming at longer distances on the turf. He was competitive early in his career in dirt sprints and is a threat if ready.