Belmont Park – 2nd race – 4-Chase Motto (6-1)
Daughter of Unbridled’s Song breezed a furlong in an impressive 10 1/5 seconds and then brought $250,000 at auction at the 2015 OBS March 2-year-old in training sale but after a series of setbacks finally makes it to the post more than a year later in this maiden special weight one-turn mile affair for fillies and mares. There’s nothing flashy about her recent set of workouts for trainer Chad Brown (excellent stats with first-timers) but we suspect top conditioner has the well-regarded filly fit and ready for a major effort first crack out of the box. Long-striding, athletic filly should love the trip, gets Velasquez, and at 6-1 on the morning line warrants a straight play and strong usage in the rolling exotics.
Belmont Park – 7th race – 5-Hello Don Julio (5-1)
Won his debut in highly-impressive style in March at Gulfstream Park over a mile on turf and then was faced with a near impossible task, tackling seasoned, graded stakes performers at a mile and one-half in his next outing. Performed much better than he had a right to, racing wide throughout while looming a strong threat on the turn and then remaining a factor until inside the furlong pole before feeling the effects of his trip and weakening to wind up off the board. Gets realistic today with a turn back to a mile and drop to first-level Allowance Company, so we’re expecting the late-developing son of Afleet Alex to regain his winning form. Offers excellent wagering value at anywhere near his morning line of 5-1.
