May 9 Stakes Selections at Belmont Park and Santa Anita

A stakes race will be hosted by both Belmont Park and Santa Anita on Sunday, each serving as a $100,000 feature at their respective venues. I like both of the races, and while I don’t envision longshots coming home first, each has appeal to me from a betting perspective.

Gold Fever S.

Six three-year-olds will travel three-quarters of a mile in the $100,000 feature at Belmont. I see this one coming down to a pair of contenders, led by #6 Candy Man Rocket. The Bill Mott pupil found the sledding to be a bit rough in the Tampa Bay Derby (G2) and Wood Memorial S. (G2) in his last pair of assignments, but a class drop and cut back in distance should bring out the best of the talented son of Candy Ride. The dark bay shows three solid morning drills locally, and the outside draw is ideal for the dash, too. Regular rider Alvarado will be up.

Recent Laurel allowance winner #2 The Wolfman is on the upswing and will be the main danger to the expected favorite in the lane. The bay son of Bandbox is versatile and comes in fresh for his second black-type engagement. Trevor McCarthy inherits the mount atop the attractive Maryland-bred.

Gold Fever Wagers

• $10 exacta box 2-6 ($20)
• $3 trifecta 6 with 2 with all ($12)

Fran’s Valentine S.

California-bred fillies and mares will tussle in the one-mile turf test at Santa Anita. While she often comes up a bit short, it’s hard to go against #5 Warren’s Showtime on this occasion for trainer Craig Lewis. The consistent Clubhouse Ride filly has a bit of a class edge on her foes, and the race will set up ideally for the late-running chestnut. Her 9-4-0-5 local line adds to her appeal as well. Juan Hernandez will be in the stirrups.

#3 Lofty has intrigue to me for the exotics for McCarthy. Chestnut Suances four-year-old missed the board in her previous run at the distance, but she has been much improved since then coinciding with the addition of blinkers, and the filly will have a target to run at all the way around the oval on Saturday. She is worth a play at a decent number beneath Abel Cedillo.

Fran’s Valentine Wagers

• $20 win #5 Warren’s Showtime ($20)
• $10 exacta 5 with 3 ($10)