By Joe Quillen
Friday 6/14 – Belmont at Aqueduct Race 6
We have state bred three-year-old fillies who are part of the New York Stallion Series today as they will be going six furlongs on the outer turf course. We have eight fillies going postward with a post time of 3:39 pm Eastern time.
There is rain in the forecast, but the rain is for in the evening, so it will not affect this race. But it is important to mention in case the forecast changes.
Favored in today’s race is the 2 Geopolitics (5/2 morning line) who is still a maiden despite facing winners in this restricted race. She has speed, but she is not bred for the turf. But she could outrun what her pedigree says by going get to wire as she put in a huge effort on the dirt in her first race off a layoff and second race overall.
She should have company on the front end with the horse on the rail, the 1 Sohana (4/1 ML) who is trying the turf for the first time, and the 5 Soloshot (3/1ML), who has two races at today’s distance here at Aqueduct. I would lean towards the 4 here as she did race off the pace last time out. The latter so far has been running much better on turf.
The 8 Naughty Destiny (8/1 ML) closed well at this distance in her first race in six months. She is very capable of pulling off an upset here today.
The 4 Being Betty (5/1 ML) broke her maiden last September here and shortens up after facing tougher going two turns. She needed that race off of the layoff and should be fitter and might have the best kick.
The big question is whether Geopolitics can go gate to wire here. I think Soloshot will beat her here. I’ll call this 5-2-4-8 and my play is $20 to win on the 5. Good luck everyone!
Check out my show “Also Eligible” on Saturday mornings at 10 am Eastern/7 am Pacific as AJ Johnson and I discuss the big races, the latest news in horse racing and much more! This Saturday, we will be looking at the final four races at Monmouth Park, as they have Haskell Preview Day on Saturday.