Playing All-Stakes Pick 4 at Belmont Park

Belmont Park features four stakes with Breeders’ Cup implications today and the Late Pick 4 encompasses the sequence (races 7-10).

Officials did a good job rounding up six females to challenge #1 Elate in the $400,000 Beldame (G1) but none appear capable of derailing the odds-on favorite. The 3-year-old filly has really come on in her last two starts, registering a 108 BRIS Speed rating for her 5 ½-length decision in the Alabama (G1) last out, and she’s trained by five-time Breeders’ Cup Distaff (G1) winner Bill Mott. Elate should hold her form in this spot.

The $500,000 Joe Hirsch Turf Classic (G1) anchors the sequences and is one of the most contentious races in the nation Saturday with a deep cast of 11. Will use seven runners on one Pick 4 ticket.

#4 Sadler’s Joy is my top pick. A maiden winner 13 months ago, the Kitten’s Joy colt is discovering his best form late in his 4-year-old season for trainer Tom Albertrani. He made his stakes bow in late January and performed respectably in his first five attempts, recording a win in the Pan American (G2) and four placings, and I thought he took another step forward in the Sword Dancer (G1) last time, registering 104 and 103 BRIS Speed and Late Pace numbers.

His BRIS Class numbers have also really increased of late and we witness so many turf stars come on as older horses. Sadler’s Joy is peaking presently and the confirmed late runner should receive a proper set-up with Oscar Performance and Beach Patrol being forward from the start. And I love his record at the 1 ½-mile distance, recording three wins and a head second in four starts.

Here are some quick thoughts on the other two stakes:

#2 El Deal is the one to beat in the $350,000 Vosburgh (G1) but the presence of Takaful could soften up the front-runner. I’m going four-deep on both tickets.

In the $200,000 Pilgrim (G3), #4 Seabhac is eligible to improve upon a troubled close fourth in the With Anticipation (G3) and I’m expecting a big effort from the Scat Daddy colt. Chad Brown’s #5 Victory Control will be included on one ticket and I’ll use all eight runners on the other Pick 4 play.

All-Stakes Pick 4 tickets (races 7-10)

Playing a pair of 50-cent tickets:

1,2,5,6 with 4,5 with 1 with 1,3,4,5,6,8,9 ($28)

1,2,5,6 with All with 1 with 4 ($16)

Total: $44

Good luck!