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Horses to watch at Belmont Friday.

3RD -- Impressive maiden win by CHRISTMAS FOR LIAM (Saint Liam), who rated nicely early and just exploded when set down to win this mile contest as easy as can be for trainer Todd Pletcher. Sophomore colt had traffic trouble at the start of his debut at Gulfstream but still finished a solid third. Colt looks to have a bright future.

9TH -- Dropped in for a price in his second off a layoff, PARKINSON FIELD (Strategic Mission) rated early while wide, took the lead in late stretch but was out-finished by a head. He should win soon at the same price-tag ($25,000).

Arlington Park (2nd) Apache Creek, 7-2
(10th) Doughnut Man, 4-1

Belmont Park (8th) Jersey Shore Girl, 6-1
(9th) Quisom, 5-1

Calder Race Course (8th) Norma Claire, 6-1
(10th) Babylon Rich, 4-1

Charles Town (2nd) Inner Power, 8-1
(5th) Happy Mothers Day, 8-1

Churchill Downs (3rd) Garifine, 6-1
(6th) McLard, 3-1

Emerald Downs (3rd) Itsafineredwine, 3-1
(4th) Skimming the Wave, 3-1

Evangeline Downs (1st) Strictly Wood, 7-2
(5th) Morning Ridge, 10-1

Finger Lakes (8th) Valiant Humor, 4-1
(9th) Summer Spark, 7-2

Golden Gate Fields (5th) Mood Winner, 8-1
(7th) Maidens Justice, 10-1

Hollywood Park (6th) Hard Eight, 7-2
(8th) Scrutinizing Kat, 5-1

Indiana Downs (1st) Secret Caress, 6-1
(4th) Dawns Expectation, 6-1

Lone Star Park (4th) Sylamore Street, 6-1
(7th) La Grand Pari, 10-1

Penn National (7th) Destiny's Image, 4-1
(8th) Concerto's Music, 10-1

Pimlico (6th) Royally Cool, 4-1
(9th) Deep Down, 10-1

Prairie Meadows (1st) Dixie Motion, 4-1
(6th) Roar Cat, 3-1

Presque Isle Downs (3rd) Ronin Justice, 7-2
(8th) Expert Princess, 8-1

River Downs (4th) Regal Wonder, 5-1
(8th) Cougar Night, 5-1

Thistledown (1st) Heartaches, 3-1
(13th) Miss Jules, 9-2

Woodbine (3rd) A Kiss in the Park, 4-1
(9th) Explosive Star, 10-1

Courtesy of Mike Dempsey

Here is today's opening race from Belmont Park to get our day off to a good start:

BEL Race 1 Clm $20,000N3L (1:00 ET)
#6 Odessa's Hope 4/1
#8 Wheelsareoffthebus 6/1
#1 Goodbyeandgoodluck / #1a Mel's Gold 3/1
#2 Next Day 4/1

Analysis: #6 Odessa's Hope stretches out beyond six furlongs for the first time here while picking up Ramon. The colt may have found a good spot here as there is not much early speed in here and if Ramon sends him early he may be able to shake loose early on an easy lead. The colt was a sharp winner last out in the mud versus state bred $15K non winners of two. The colt has enough pedigree to handle the stretch out to a mile.

#8 Wheelsareoffthebus was a game winner at the Big A last out against state bred $15K non winners of two at today's distance. He steps into a tougher spot here but makes his third start of his current form cycle and just his sixth career start overall and there still may be some upside to this guy. The Micelli barn has really been sending out live runners in recent months.

Wagering
WIN: #6 to win at 5/2 or better.
EX: 6,8 / 1,2,6,8
TRI: 6,8 / 1,2,6,8 / 1,2,4,6,8

Today's Featured Race of the Day from Belmont Park:

BEL Race 8 Alw $50,000s (4:45 ET)
#7 Tiz Hidden 7/2
#3 Jersey Shore Girl 6/1
#4 Bahama Bound 7/5
#1 Huricanette / #1a Conga Bella 5/1

Analysis: #7 Tiz Hidden came with a four wide run and flattened out in the stretch to finish third last out in her first go off a three month break and over a wet track. She figures to be fitter for her second start off the bench for the Tony D. barn that is 23% winners with horses making their second start off a 45-180 day layoff. She has a nice pedigree, by Tiznow out of the stakes winner Hidden Ransom ($182K).

#3 Jersey Shore Girl regressed last out after have to check in traffic in the early going. Two back she had some traffic troubles and came up just a neck shy against ALw-1 foes. The winner of that race was Touching Beauty, who came back to win the Comely (G3) in her next outing on April 10 at the Big A. The one turn mile looks like it should suit this gal.

Wagering
WIN: #7 to win at 5/2 or better.
EX: 3,7 / 1,3,4,7
TRI: 3,7 / 1,3,4,7 / 1,2,3,4,7

Today's Featured Race of the Day from Churchill Downs:

CD Race 9 Alw $50,000N1X (6:54 ET)
#2 Versailles Road 5/2
#8 Belo Sorte 7/2
#5 Thomas J 12/1
#4 Kabob 7/2

Analysis: #2 Versailles Road dueled for the early lead and drew away smartly to graduate last out in his third career start going 6 1/2 furlongs on the poly. The gelding has moved forward in each start for the Wilkes barn that usually does not have them fully cranked early. The gelding owns a solid pace profile throughout and looks capable of winning right back.

#8 Belo Sorte is the lone runner in here that has beaten winners. He beat a suspect field of $30K non winners of three last out at Gulfstream Park, the winning margin eight lengths. The colt earned the top last out speed fig in the effort. He faces better quality here than he did in Florida.

Wagering
WIN: #2 to win at 9/5 or better.
EX: 2,8 / 2,4,5,8
TRI: 2,8 / 2,4,5,8 / 2,3,4,5,8

Live Longshots: These are price plays for exotic players looking to find a couple of extra contenders to use in their trifecta and superfecta wagers. Or for those with smaller bankrolls, you might want to get in a small win-place wager.

Belmont Park
R2: #5 Alla Prima 10/1
R4: #8 Dixielore 12/1
R6: #7 Cruzin With Cash 8/1
R6: #1 Enchanted Moon 12/1
R7: #1 Unbridled Fury 10/1
R9: #3 Seven in a Row 10/1
R9: #6 Gracious Victory 8/1

Churchill Downs
R1: #6 Foxy Valley Girl 8/1
R1: #4 Amelia J 10/1
R5: #5 Bodyne 15/1
R7: #8 Metro Devil 8/1
R7: #2 Asian Proverb 20/1
R8: #2 Gunman 10/1
R8: #7 Mo’millions 12/1
R9: #5 Thomas J 12/1
R10: #1 Outrageous 15/1

Good luck today!

BEL 3rd (2:04)

6 Furlongs | Fillies and Mares | 3 Year Olds And Up Allowance Optional Claiming ($50,000) | Purse: $54,000

Prg. # PP Horse Jockey Trainer Wt. Claim $ Equip. Med. ML
1 1 Ain't Love Grand Garcia Alan Sacco Richard W 121 L 5-2
2 2 Speculation Maragh R Bond Harold James 120 $50,000 L 10-1
3 3 Female Drama Velazquez J R Pletcher Todd A 116 L 5-1
4 4 Wind Caper Dominguez R A Hushion Michael E 123 L 2-1
5 5 Dattts Lady Di Lezcano J Hennig Mark 120 L 6-1
6 6 Reforestation Velasquez C Turner, Jr. W H 120 L 4-1

Exacta, Trifecta, Pick 3 Races (3-5), Daily Double Wagers

Brian Blessing's Pick's 1-4-5

Ain't Love Grand heads north from Gulfstream Park and has a versatile running style that is a major asset.

CDX 6th (5:22)

1 Mile | Open | 3 Year Olds Starter Allowance | Purse: $25,000

Prg.na County Lenclud F Reinstedler A L 113 5 LA 8-1
2 2 McLard Hernandez B J Jr Livesay Charlie 118 L 3-1
3 3 Max Silverhammer Borel C H Denzik, Jr. W J 118 LA 7-2
4 4 King Snake Torres F C Tomlinson Michael A 118 LA 4-1
5 5 Next May Leparoux J R Maker Michael J 118 LA 4-1
6 6 Awesome Encore Albarado R J Stewart Dallas 118 L 5-1
7 7 Max the Knife Court J K Gorder Kellyn 118 LA 12-1
8 8 Tsunami King Mena M Romans Dale 118 LA 15-1

Daily Double / Exacta / Trifecta / Superfecta / Pick 3 (Races 6-7-8)

Battagliaspicks 2-3-5

#2 McLard- Won 2 in a row in Chicago going off 16-1 and then 27-1. He then ran a game race at KEE on the turf against much tougher finishing 3rd less then two lengths back going off 13-1. He finds an easier field today and will be tough to beat.

HOLLY NIGHT RACING 5th (8:57)

1 Mile (Turf) | Open | 3 Year Olds And Up Allowance | Purse: $44,000

Prg. # PP Horse Jockey Trainer Wt. Claim $ Equip. Med. ML
1 1 My King Quinonez A Tsagalakis Mark D 120 L 12-1
2 2 Tamarack Smarty Talamo J Puype Mike 124 L 3-1
3 3 Worth Repeating Bejarano R Mandella Richard 122 Blk-On L 4-1
4 4 Back At You Baze T C Truman Eddie 122 L 8-1
5 5 Rogue River Garcia M S Bainum William E 122 L 20-1
6 6 Living Word John K Metz Jeff 124 L 20-1
7 7 El Martillo Rosario J Baffert Bob 124 L 9-2
8 8 Rummysecret War Amador S R Garcia Oscar 120 L 6-1
9 9 Bring It Home Garcia M Gonzalez J Paco 124 L 7-2

$1 Exacta / $2 Quinella / $1 Trifecta $1 Superfecta (10-cent min.) / $2 Double / $1 Pick 3 TVG $150,000 Guaranteed $1 Pick 4 (Races 5-6-7-8)

Battagliaspicks 7-2-9

#7 El Martillo-Baffert colt beat wide open 50k turf runners last out in his first try around two turns. Rosario keeps the mount and they should get the money over these allowance non winners of two.