Holland's North America Racing Picks for June 12

Tim focuses on Churchill Downs Friday, but he also has some thoughts on Belmont Park, Gulfstream Park, and Evangeline Downs.

Churchill Downs

Race 3

Sprinters going 5-furlongs on turf include #5 Fast Boat (7-2), who has been freshened since finishing third in an even effort in the Colonel Power S. at Fair Grounds in mid-February. Son of good turf sprint sire City Zip won one of two previous starts on this course and has been working forwardly for trainer Sharp, who wins with 20% of his runners that have not raced for 90+ days. Gelding should find a solid pace to close into with Beschizza remaining aboard.

Race 6

#7 Set Piece (9-5) makes his first North American start for Brad Cox and has not been seen since closing to win at this distance on the all-weather surface at Kempton in November. Son of excellent turf sire Dansili finished third in the Craven (G3) last year and recent works include a sharp 4-furlong move in :47 3/5 five days ago for Cox, who wins with 26% of his runners making their first outing for his barn. Gelding appears to be the class of the field with Lasix added and Geroux in the irons.

Race 9

Trainer Maker wins with 17% of his runners that have not raced for 90+ days and saddles #5 Britannia Kitten (10-1), who has not been seen since finishing fourth of 21 runners in Ireland in October. Maker has won with 16% of his runners at this meet and son of Kitten’s Joy has been gelded since his last start and will have Lasix for the first time. Chestnut can be in good position throughout under Garcia, who has won with two of his last 12 rides for the barn.

Belmont Park

Race 6

#10 Noor Sahara (3-1) is one of two runners in here making their first outing for Chad Brown. 4-year-old won 2-of-8 starts in France and finished a good third last April to Siyarafina, who won the Prix Saint Alary (G1) in her next outing. Works include a 4-furlong move in :47 3/5 late last month and daughter of Lope De Vega appears ready for a winning effort with Irad Ortiz taking the mount.

Race 7

Maidens going 6-furlongs include #6 Allure Fortune (6-1), who has not been seen since weakening to finish third in her debut over 7-furlongs here in September from which race the first two finishers both placed in stakes in subsequent outings. Daughter of Bayern cost $150K as a yearling and has been working forwardly for trainer Englehart, who wins with 18% of his runners that have not raced for 90+ days. Filly can be on or near the early lead with Alvarado in the irons.

Gulfstream Park

Race 10

#12 Fuddled (2-1) has not been seen since closing to narrowly miss in her debut over the course and distance in late-March. Trainer Joseph wins with 25% of his runners that have not raced for 46-90 days and with 21% of his second-time starters. Daughter of good European sire Invincible Spirit appears best here, but value may be found with #8 Lady Boss (10-1), who debuts for trainer Dobles. Filly has a nice pedigree for sprinting on turf, being by Street Boss and out of a mare by Not for Love, and the filly posted a recent 4-furlong work from the gate in :47 1/5 for a barn that wins with at 14% on the turf. Sophomore is worth a look under Lebron.

Evangeline Downs

Race 9

Trainer David wins with 27% of his first-time starters and saddles #10 Dr. Gelp (10-1), a debuting son of 12% first-out sire Old Fashioned, who is a half-brother to two winners. Works are nothing special, but David wins with 25% of his runners overall in maiden claiming events and gray is likely ready for a winning effort at first asking under Chavez.