by Jeff Siegel
June 26, 2022
Belmont Park – Sixth race. Post time: 3:34 ET
7-Impulsiveness (4-1)
Sophomore son of Quality Road finally makes it to the post in the summer of his three-year-old season after being so impressive a year ago in the OBS June Sale, where he previewed in 10 seconds flat. The Todd Pletcher-trained 3-year-old shows a solid, healthy series of workouts in recent weeks that should have him fit and ready, and in a race in which there appear to be no world beaters among the known element, this first-timer should have every chance to graduate at first asking. His morning line of 4-1 is enticing if you can get it on the tote.
Churchill Downs – Seventh Race. Post time: 3:50 ET
5-Clear the Deck (3-1)
Tipped her hand when overcoming a poor start to rally strongly and finish third in a promising debut earlier this month. With a clean break and a similar effort today, the daughter of Army Mule should be ready to earn her diploma. Today’s extra half-furlong certainly won’t hurt, so we’re expecting a significant forward move by the Ken McPeek-trained juvenile, who is listed at 3-1 on the morning line and will present a good gamble at that number.
Churchill Downs – Ninth Race. Post time: 4:55 ET
5-Saint Eros Girl (4-1)
Simply stated, she ran too well to lose in her debut. After breaking slowly and racing in traffic to the head of the lane, she found room to rally but just ran out of room to be almost five lengths clear of the rest in a fast, highly-rated race at Pimlico last month. The Ron Moquett-trained sophomore gets an extra half-furlong to work with today, retains Tyler Gafflione, and should not have any difficultly with this field as long as she manages to leave with her field. The daughter of Cupid will offer extreme value in the win pool and in the various rolling exotics at anywhere close to her morning line price of 4-1.