2022 Memorial Day Spot Plays for Belmont Park

A handful of black-type races for Empire State-bred runners will highlight a fine card at Belmont Park on Monday.

Race 2 – Mount Vernon S.

Christophe Clement’s #6 Classic Lady (5-2) missed by a nose in the 2020 edition of this race off a layoff, and the seven-year-old will try to go one better in this affair. Daughter of Jimmy Creed has compiled a 6-3-2-1 mark on the course in her career, and the dark bay gets a very good post slot outside of the compact cast. Joel Rosario will guide the late-running top selection.

Race 6 – Critical Eye H.

A total of seven fillies and mares will travel one mile on the dirt. #1 Secret Love (10-1) was a sharp allowance winner at seven furlongs most recently, and she recorded a swift half-mile bullet drill on Monday to give me the impression of a horse on the improve, as well. Chestnut daughter of Not This Time is well drawn on the rail with Johnny V. back in the irons, and the versatile sort will also receive a hot pace to rally into late while saving ground throughout. The four-year-old is worth a shot at her price.

Race 8 – Mike Lee S.

A solid field of nine sophomores will run seven panels on the dirt in this endeavor. I have always thought that #9 Who Hoo Thats Me (4-1) was a good one, and the son of Keen Ice will break through with his initial stakes victory on this occasion. One of two in the field for Abreu, the bay three-year-old had a great prep for this when a closing second in a sprint off the bench to set him up for Monday. Dylan Davis retains the mount atop the talented colt.

Race 9 – Kingston S.

Eight will vie in the 1 1/16-mile turf test. #5 Cross Border (9-2) is a Grade 2 winner against open company who looms large in this event for New York-breds for Maker. English Channel eight-year-old comes in fresh after training well at Belmont, and I expect him to make a big run in the stretch to get up late with Saez in the stirrups.