Belmont Park graded stakes plays for Saturday

A quartet of graded stakes races highlight a fine Saturday card at Belmont Park.

Race 7 - Vagrancy (G3)

Fillies and mares will travel 6 1/2 furlongs on the main strip in an intriguing race. Arnaud Delacour’s #3 Chalon will make her seasonal bow and I will side with the consistently very good mare. Dialed In 6-year-old was runner-up in the race in 2018, and she has run quite well off the layoff in the past as well. Jose Ortiz will stalk the pace early atop the bay.

#5 Come Dancing is a classy Grade 1 heroine who will make her second start of the season. Malibu Moon 6-year-old stopped early in the deep Apple Blossom (G1) most recently, but a return to the Empire State combined with a cutback in distance will bring out the best in the mare.

#1 Royal Charlotte finished runner-up in the Harmony Lodge S. in the mud while making her 2020 debut for Chad Brown. Cairo Prince filly is a Grade 3 winner on the surface, and she will endure a good trip on Saturday from slightly off the early tempo.

Wagers:

$15 Win: #3 Chalon ($15)
$2 Trifecta Box: 1-3-5 ($12)

Race 8 - New York (G2)

Graham Motion’s #7 Mean Mary has been sensational from a pair of Grade 3 tallies at Gulfstream Park this campaign, and she gets top billing in the 1 1/4-mile turf test. Scat Daddy filly has ample pace, a strong turn of foot, and she also draws outside to avoid traffic trouble. Kentucky-bred 4-year-old is an imposing figure in the affair with Saez taking the reins once again.

#1 Call Me Love stretches out for her second assignment since importing from Italy. Clement pupil was an encouraging runner-up in the Beaugay (G3) as a prep for this event, and the rail draw should only benefit the intriguing daughter of Sea the Stars. She gets the nod to complete the exacta.

Wagers:

$20 Win: #7 Mean Mary ($20)
$2 Trifecta 7 with 1 with all ($10)

Race 9 - True North (G2)

#7 Promises Fulfilled makes his 5-year-old debut for Dale Romans and is the top choice in the 6 1/2-furlong dirt dash. Chestnut son of Shackleford is an excellent one-turn performer on his best day, and the Kentucky-bred has trained well in advance of his comeback. Grade 1 winner will be especially tough if he clears the cast early on with Saez up.

Wager:

$30 Win: #7 Promises Fulfilled ($30)

Race 10 - Just a Game (G1)

A superb field of seven will contest the one-mile turf affair. Champion #6 Uni makes her first appearance since romping home in the Breeders’ Cup Mile (G1). Stellar Chad Brown charge is 7-for-8 at the distance and has trained well in preparation of her 6-year-old debut. She is a must use under Rosario.

#5 Regal Glory has been first or second in all but one lifetime showing for Brown, and I think that she will be very live in the affair. Tactical daughter of Animal Kingdom had a solid yearly debut when runner-up in the Intercontinental (G2) and seems poised for improvement on Saturday.