Horse Racing Picks & Best Bets for June 13 | Santa Anita, Belmont at the Big A & Churchill Downs
Big race day vibes are in full swing, and today’s lineup is one you don’t want to miss. Stogie is honing in on three key spots across the country Santa Anita Race 7, Belmont at the Big A Race 8, and Churchill Downs Race 5.
Churchill Downs Race 5
6 Poppy the Princess could move forward with the class relief today. Filly was last seen running a decent 5th beaten by just under 2 lengths versus tougher. She sports the most consistent turf speed figures and gets in light with the Apprentice Allowance. Win Contender
5 Cha Cha Chukka is another in here descending the class ladder. Filly had no chance last out down South Florida when she was chasing a pedestrian pace at a mile and a half. She cuts back in distance to a mile and a sixteenth where she was a winner two starts back. Win Contender
10 Bread to Run rallied to win at this distance here at Churchill last out versus softer. Gal put up a nice turf speed figure that day. She is facing a bit tougher in here but if she repeats that effort, she’ll be a player. Major Threat 9 Cavatelli could make some noise in here at a price. Use in the deep exotics
Selections 6-5-10-9
Belmont at the Big A Race 8
7 Light Man hasn’t seen race day in over 6 months but this Bruce Levine trainee has run well off the extended layoff in the past. This Gelding is a 4-time winner in 6 starts here at the Big A and has been working well for his return. Win Contender
4 Twenty Four Mamba has regained his form after 2 sharp back-to-back victories here at Aqueduct. Gelding is an 8-time winner who has back class. His work tab looks tight and appears to be sitting on another strong effort. Win Contender
5 Repo Rocks ships in from Parx after losing by just a half length versus Allowance/ Optional 100k foes. Just a few races back, this veteran 7-year-old finished a good second to superstar sprinter Book em’Dano. Don’t Ignore
Selections 7-4-5-3
Santa Anita Race 7
10 Muscled stayed in the Maiden ranks a little longer than his connections planned, but he did finally break his Maiden here at this distance two races back. He faced winners for the first time in the John Shear Stakes and ran an even 4th while sprinting on the very difficult downhill turf course. This son of Karakontie has been working lights for his return. Top Pick
6 Game Warrior drops in class after 2 even 4th place finishes in Stakes company. Blinkers come off and first time lasix is administered. Win Contender
8 The Padre was a 33-1 winner in his debut on the All-Weather surface in Ireland. Colt tries the blades today which shouldn’t pose a problem based on this one’s pedigree. This Phil D’Amato-trained 3-year-old’s work tab has been dotted with bullets. No telling how good this guy could be and at 8-1, I’m not leaving him off my tickets. Live Longshot.