in Triple Crown Free Picks

National horse racing handicapper Michael Dempsey will attempt to pad his bankroll and yours with his daily column. He will feature at least one Pick 3 or Pick 4 play from a major track along with coverage of major stakes races, longshots, and he will keep you up to date on what is happening on the circuits he covers.

The weather looks like it is going to get better on Friday and into Saturday, which is racetrack was off again on Thursday and several races were washed off the turf.

There is an excellent horse betting card on tap on Friday, which includes a pair of stakes races.

A field of seven will go 1 ½ miles in the Grade 2 Brooklyn Handicap. The nightcap on the card is the Grade 3 Hill Prince Stakes, which drew a field of eight three year olds who will go one mile on the turf.

Both of the races are part of our $24 late Pick 3 ticket.

Today's Play of the Day from Belmont Park:

BEL Race 5 Md $45,000 (3:04 et)

#6 Palace Boxer 12/1

#7 Subprime Lending 5/1

#11 Money Manager 3/1

#10 Chobe 5/2

Analysis: #6 Palace Boxer invades from Tampa and drops back in for a tag after a fourth place finish on the turf against maiden special weight company. The winner of the race was Silver Mountain, who came back to beat Alw-1 foes at Churchill Downs in his next outing on 5/26. The sixth place finisher also exited the race to win next out, taking a maiden special weight race at Suffolk. Our top pick was a good second three back in his first go for a tag. The turf pedigree is on the light side but we should catch a decent price in this spot.

#7 Subprime Lending had to check in traffic going into the first turn and was not a threat in an eighth place finish at Gulfstream versus maiden special weight company. The fourth and sixth place finishers exited that race to graduate next out. In good hands with Violette barn that is 22% winners moving runners form maiden special to maiden claiming.

Wagering

WIN: #6 to win at 5/1 or better.

EX: 6,7 / 6,7,10,11

TRI: 6,7 / 6,7,10,11 / 2,4,6,7,10,11

Belmont Park Late Pick 3

Starting in Race 8: $1: 3,7,9 / 4,6 / 2,3,7,8= $24

BEL Race 8 OClm $50,000N2X (4:40 et)

#7 Say You Will, #3 Sally Bowles, #9 Sunshine for Life

#7 Say You Will was a good second last out in the G2 Doubledogdare at Santa Anita three back going 6 1/2 furlongs. The switch back to the turf suits as Harty hands over the Godolphin runner to bin Surour.

#3 Sally Bowles set the early fractions and held on gamely, out finished to land third while beaten less than a length for the top spot. The winner Them There Eyes came back to win the $100K NY bred Mt. Vernon. She won a Group 2 last year and looks primed for a good effort in her third start since arriving in the U.S.

BEL Race 9 Brooklyn Hcp G2 (5:12 et)

#6 Nite Light, #4 Sightseeing

#6 Nite Light earned the top last out speed fig, making a good late rally to finish in the runner up spot in a G3 at the Big A. The runner up finish snapped a four race win streak. The winner Temporary Saint came back to finish fourth in the G1 Pimlico Special in his next outing on 5/16. The colt is proven at the distance with a win and a second in two trips at 1 1/2 miles.

#4 Sightseeing came with a wide run and made a mild late rally to finish third last out in the G3 Westchester behind Divine Park, who came back to win the G1 Met Mile in his next outing. The colt looks primed for a good effort here in his third start of the year and while he is untested at the D/S he has enough pedigree to handle the extra ground.

BEL Race 10 Hill Prince S. G3 (5:44 et)

#8 Gio Ponti, #2 Hatta Fort, #3 Moral Compass, #7 Prussian

#8 Gio Ponti is making his first start since checking in eighth in the Breeders Cup Juvie Turf last fall over yielding footing. The colt beat the Turf winner Nownownow two back when winning the Bourbon at Keeneland two back in his first start against winners. The colt broke his maiden in his debut over the Belmont turf. In good hands with Clement barn that is 18% winners with runners coming back off a +180 day layoff. Gomez rode this guy in his debut and note he is back on today despite also riding our second choice last out.

#2 Hatta Fort made his U.S. debut last out on poly and missed winning the Lafayette by a nose. The colt is a Group 2 winner at seven furlongs and figures to move forward with the switch back to grass. Will be tough here but why the heck is Gomez off this guy to ride our top pick?

Live Longshots:

These are price plays to watch today. A small win-place wager is in order or if your pockets are deep enough, use these runners in your trifecta and Pick 3 and Pick 4 wagers. One or two of these could be the difference between a regular day at the track and hitting the IRS window with a signer.

Belmont Park

R1: #2 Town Doc 8/1

R2: #6 Bella Cherokee 8/1

R3: #3 Cherovsky 12/1

R5 #6 palace Boxer 12/1

R6: #6 Whirling Agatha 12/1

R7: #6 Simeon 10/1

R8: #9 Sunshine for Life 12/1

Good luck padding your bankroll today!

Check the BetUS Belmont Stakes