How to Bet the 2019 Gallant Bloom Handicap

A compact field of five fillies and mares will speed 6 1/2 furlongs at Belmont Park in Sunday’s $300,000 Gallant Bloom Handicap (G2). Recent Ballerina Stakes (G1) romper Come Dancing is the overwhelming favorite over her four foes and looks like an imposing figure in the feature.

ANALYSIS

Carrera Cat (#2) (8-1) and Minit To Stardom (#5) (3-1) both possess huge early foot and will likely knock heads from the start. Prohibitive choice Come Dancing (#3) (1-5) will track in behind the top duo and figures to enjoy a dream trip to the top of the lane.

Maryland invader Majestic Reason (#1) (20-1) will save ground while well back along with JC’s Shooting Star (#4) (20-1), and either of these fillies could be running on to complete the exacta late if the pace falls apart.

WAGERS

$20 Exacta 3 with 4 = $20
$10 Trifecta Key 3 with 2,4 = $20

Here is the cast:

MAJESTIC REASON (#1) (20-1) – Graham Motion pupil makes her first run outside of the state of Maryland today. Stakes-winning daughter of Majestic Warrior is in fine form in 2019 and has won or placed in each of her eight lifetime outings. Exotics contender will be running from off the pace under Jorge Vargas Jr.

CARRERA CAT (#2) (8-1) – Fleet Empire State-bred dons a 5-4-1-0 mark this season and is two-for-three lifetime over Big Sandy. John Morrison charge is the inside pace of the field, and she picked up her initial stakes trophy with a powerful run at Saratoga in advance of this affair. Four-year-old will be dangerous if she clears early beneath Rajiv Maragh.

COME DANCING (#3) (1-5) – Carlos Martin trainee is peaking this campaign and will be impossible to knock off with her best showing. The Malibu Moon mare is three-for-four in 2019, including a 6 3/4-length waltz in the Ruffian Stakes (G2) at Belmont Park three prior. Javier Castellano will guide the most likely winner.

JC’S SHOOTING STAR (#4) (20-1) – Miracle Man mare has hit the board in each of her two stakes runs on the main oval in 2019 for David Donk. One-run closer has been in the money four times on the Belmont Park dirt, and the seven-year-old will receive a healthy pace to rally into at a big price. Manny Franco will be in the stirrups.

MINIT TO STARDOM (#5) (3-1) – Honorable Miss (G2) starlet has run off to a trio of impressive wire-to-wire wins since coming into the barn of Jose Camejo. The streaking Star Guitar filly has substantial gate presence and will be sent from the break following a pair of bullet morning drills in succession. Cajun-bred bay has to be respected while making her Belmont debut.

PHOTO: Come Dancing (c) Adam Coglianese Photography/Chelsea Durand