How to bet the Carter Handicap

Racing is returning to New York in a big way this week, with the $250,000 Carter H. (G1) at Belmont Park looming as the first Grade 1 of the year on racing’s most historic circuit.

The 7-furlong sprint has drawn a competitive field of 11, all of them stakes winners, and a solid case can be made for at least half a dozen horses.

There’s #1 Firenze Fire, a Grade 1 winner who holds a special affinity for Belmont Park. There’s #11 Vekoma, an accomplished route runner who recently cut back in distance to dominate the 7-furlong Sir Shackleton S. with a career-best 105 Brisnet Speed rating. There’s #10 Mind Control, the upset winner of the H. Allen Jerkens (G1) last summer who is 2-for-2 against graded stakes company in 2020.

We could spend all day debating the merits of the favorites, but rather than accept a short price in this deep field, I’m tempted to think outside the box with #5 Network Effect.

Trained by Chad Brown, Network Effect is best known for his efforts running long. He finished second in the Nashua (G3) and Remsen (G2) as a juvenile, then a setback prevented him from embarking on the 2019 Triple Crown trail.

But Network Effect is also undefeated in two starts at sprint distances and enters the Carter off an eye-catching victory in the 7-furlong Big Drama S. on May 2 at Gulfstream Park. After he briefly vied for the early lead, Network Effect got trapped behind horses on the turn and had to wait in traffic to find racing room. It was an awkward trip, but at the top of the lane, Network Effect shot through a narrow opening along the rail and sprinted the final furlong in about :11.90 to score by two lengths in 1:21.79.

Network Effect’s powerful finish and snappy final time translated to powerful speed figures — a 105 Brisnet Speed rating and a 112 Brisnet Late Pace rating.

It’s starting to look as though Network Effect has been a sprinter all along, and with a clean run Saturday, he can spring a surprise against his more heralded Carter rivals.

Since Network Effect figures to be overlooked in the wagering, a win bet will be our first order of business. We’ll also key him in the exacta, with Firenze Fire and Mind Control.

$12 to win on #5 Network Effect
$6 exacta: 1,10 with 5 ($12)
$3 exacta: 5 with 1,10 ($6)
Total: $30

Good luck!