Pick 3 play at Belmont Park for June 3

June 2nd, 2021

A trio of black-type races, including two of the graded stakes variety, will headline a fine nine-race card at Belmont Park on Thursday. I have tabbed a three-race sequence early on in the card that is attractive to me and looks to be worth an investment.

Race 4 -- Maiden Special Weight

An overflow field of boys will dash six panels on the inner green. I fully believe that #10 Sheriff Bianco (5-2) will be very tough to upend on this occasion for Wesley Ward. The gelded son of Speightster was second on debut over the dirt prior to finishing eighth in the Windsor Castle S. at Royal Ascot in the summer, and he returned to run a solid second on this course off the break. In that endeavor, the gelding dueled on the front end over a yielding surface before tiring late, and he will greatly benefit from the run. Jose Ortiz will guide the early single.

Race 5 -- Maiden Special Weight

My second single comes in the middle leg with #2 After the Party (5-2). The $75,000 yearling purchase faded to third after chasing a clear leader on debut over muddy going at Aqueduct, but seems poised for a big forward move on Thursday. Trained by Jeremiah Englehart, the three-year-old daughter of top sire Into Mischief has posted a slew of morning moves since that appearance, and while there is a bit of a gap in the sequence, I have a lot of confidence that she will be fit and ready in this spot.

The top pick is a half-sister to 2019 Ellis Park Debutante queen Green Destiny, and the bay looks to be a speedy, early type like her big sis. She faces a few expensive prospects on Thursday, but I think that having a race under her belt will go a long way against this cast. And though she is just 5-2 on the morning line, the money will be spread in the race and she will play better in the multi-race wagers than those odds would suggest. Manny Franco retains the mount.

Race 6 -- Intercontinental S. (G3)

My top pick is #1 Publication (10-1), and a victory by her will spike the tickets in a big way. The Chad Brown trainee gives me the impression of a filly who is set for a big second half of 2021.

Sand Springs S. vixen #2 Sweet Bye and Bye (2-1) and Brown’s Grade 2 heroine #8 Regal Glory (6-5) will each make the ticket for insurance.