Belmont Park July 4th preview: Grade 2 First Flight + Tom Fool
The Grade 2 First Flight Handicap (race 7) on July 4th at Belmont Park has drawn a field of seven, with the Richard Dutrow entry of Ice Cool Kitty and Looky Yonder favored at 2-1.
NY-bred Ice Cool Kitty is a 9-16 pro with a trio of local wins and a pair of extended sprint tallies. She has not been out since November ‘07 and it likely using this race as a springboard to state bred stakes races down the road. Her mate Looky Yonder has won her last three conventional dirt starts and is 2-2 at Big Sandy. She’s a three-time 7f winner, and Gomez is 2-2 with the versatile sort.
Wild Gams offers a hint of value at 5-1 on the line. I was on her in a graded event at Keeneland last fall, and she was necked in one of two starts at this distance. She showed improved tactical ability in the $250k My Juliet (six furlongs) at Philly Park last time, and she should be primed for another top effort 3rd race back.
Rite Moment has been part of the exacta in 9 straight starts. She won a similar graded event at this distance in April, and she was freshened after a place finish in the flat mile Shuvee (G2) here.
I selected Baroness Thatcher a few times last year, and the Bill Mott trainee typically runs well without winning. 2-18 miss can hit the board once again.
In the Grade 2 Tom Fool Handicap (race 8), Dutrow once again has a major player with Not For Money. The four-year-old exits a smashing course/distance optional claiming tally, but he got away with first quarter in 23 seconds, and that led to his inflated speed rating. Place finisher Bribon came back to score, but the rail-sitter is worth trying to topple at underlaid odds.
Lucky Island is 3-3 this year and 4-5 lifetime for Kiaran McLaughlin. He runs well fresh and owns fine positional speed. His last win occurred here, and he’s also 1-1 at 7f.
Tasteyville has fired in 10 of last 12, winning five. Handles and footing (fast, slop) and a variety of distances.
Tags: Belmont Park, First Flight Handicap, July 4th, Richard Dutrow, Tom Fool HandicapRelated Stories
POSTED IN: Handicapping, Horses, Miscellaneous, Racetracks, Stakes Races, Trainers
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