Belmont and Churchill Downs the horse racing weekend
breeders cup Justify (1), with jockey Mike Smith up, crosses the finish line to win the 150th running of the Belmont Stakes horse race and the Triple Crown, Saturday, June 9, 2018, in Elmont, N.Y. (AP Photo/Julio Cortez)
A Strong Warm‑Up Before Belmont Week
Another fine appetizer arrives this weekend at Churchill Downs as racing fans gear up for The Belmont Racing Festival at Saratoga beginning Wednesday, June 3. The Late P5 at Churchill Downs is an all‑stakes sequence, and that is where Let ‘em Run begins the journey this week.
The podcast airs Saturday at 12:30 after scratches and changes are finalized. Viewers can watch on Sports Talk Media Network and multiple streaming platforms. Handicappers preparing for Belmont week can also visit Brisnet.com for the 2‑Day Belmont Handicapping Package, available for $24.99 and covering Friday and Saturday, June 5 and 6, including The Belmont Stakes.
Race 7 – 3:53 p.m. ET
Old Forester Mint Julep (G3) – 1 1/16 Miles Turf – $275,000 The sequence opens with a speed play on the 1 Charlene’s Dream at 12‑1. She draws well, and her last two races can be forgiven. The effort three starts back is the key, and a repeat of that performance makes her dangerous. The switch to Florent Geroux adds confidence. The 8 Sweet Treasure at 6‑1, with Irad Ortiz Jr., could close into the pace if a duel develops up front.
Race 8
Aristides (G3) – 6 Furlongs Dirt – $275,000 This compact field of seven offers cases for nearly every runner. The preference is the 1 Mad House at 7‑2, a pure speed type with Paco Lopez returning. He is the lone E8 per Brisnet and owns five wins from seven starts at the distance. His recent workouts signal readiness, and a bounce off his last top figure appears unlikely. The favorite 3 Roll On Big Joe at 9‑5 is consistent and thrives at Churchill Downs with three wins from four starts.
Race 9
Regret (G3) – 1 1/8 Miles Turf – $275,000 The 5 Faithful Departed at 8‑1 gets the call with Jose Ortiz staying aboard for a red‑hot Grant Foster barn winning at 43 percent. The lone concern is the trainer’s 0‑for‑16 mark when coming off a win, but Ortiz can overcome that. The 8 Storm’s Wake at 3‑1 is a closer who benefits if the pace turns lively.
Race 10
Blame (G3) – 1 1/8 Miles Dirt – $300,000 Brisnet Prime Power numbers show this as the most wide‑open race in the sequence. The pick is the 1 Rattle N Roll at 4‑1, who should secure a ground‑saving trip from the rail. Flavian Prat fits this horse well, and trainer Kenneth McPeek has him ready. The morning‑line favorite 8 Vibe at 9‑5 could be the lone speed and must be respected.
Race 11
Arlington (G3) – 1 1/16 Miles Turf – $275,000 The largest field of the sequence closes the P5. The 9 Quatrocentro at 7‑2 is expected to break sharply and take the field a long way under Julian Leparoux. The longshot play is the 6 Minaret Station at 15‑1, with Christian Torres riding his only mount for William Walden, who is winning at a strong 43 percent.
Tune in Friday, June 5, for the Happy Hour Podcast at 3 p.m., and Saturday, June 6, for the P5 Podcast at 12:30. John Kostin will join live from Saratoga along with friend of the show Wadie Khalaf, offering on‑site insight as Belmont week unfolds.
Handicappers should also explore the Belmont 2‑Day Package at Brisnet.com, which provides extensive information for both Friday and Saturday, including The Belmont Stakes.
So cheer hard, bet smart, fast horses can lead to some serious fun, and in the end, Let ‘em Run. Catch the show on Sports Talk Media Network and across multiple streaming platforms.
