Quills Picks Winners – Saturday 6/6 – Saratoga Races 11 & 12
The Triple Crown races end today at Saratoga with the Belmont Stakes. It will be the final race there before Belmont Park reopens this fall. This will be an interesting race here today as nine horses will go forward to go the mile and a quarter today.
Also note that we could have rain for the Belmont again this year. From what it looks like on Friday night, the rain has been starting later and later, so this might be a race where if you are a savvy off track handicapper, you might want to wait until the last minute to wager.
But like the last two Triple Crown races, we will look at each individual horse in the field and give my final thoughts and selection.
Saratoga Race 13 – Belmont Stakes (Grade 1)
#1 Virtuvian Man (30/1 morning line)
His lone win was at Keeneland last October. He raced one time in 2026, finishing third off of a three-month layoff in the Santa Anita Derby. He could get the distance, but there are way too many talented horses here.
#2 Powershift (12/1 ML)
He broke his maiden in the opening race on Derby Day at Churchill Downs. He steps up here after that maiden win but already had a race on the Derby trail in the Tampa Bay Derby where he finished sixth. With the lack of speed in this race, this Todd Pletcher trained colt may be the horse on the lead here today.
#3 Chief Wallabee (3/1 ML)
Chief was bumped around some late in the Kentucky Derby but finished fourth while closing. Many will think this horse is a stone cold closer, but he did race near the pace in a race with slow early fractions in the Florida Derby.
#4 Renegade (2/1 ML favorite)
Favorite for today’s race was denied by Golden Tempo in the final strides of the Kentucky Derby. He closed from far back in the Derby as the fast pace helped the closers. Renegade may be closer to the pace today with the lack of speed. But he will be there at the end.
#5 Ottinho (20/1 ML)
He was last seen finishing second to Further Ado in his blowout win in the Blue Grass Stakes. He won on the lead to break his maiden on New Year’s Eve but has run from off the pace the last two times out. If he guns for the lead he might have a chance but this looks like a horse that will sit mid-pack or further back.
#6 Growth Equity (12/1 ML)
Growth Equity won the Grade 3 Peter Pan last month to earn his spot here today. He was not far off the pace in the short field and drew off in his initial two-turn test. He appears that he could be in perfect position to take over the lead as they turn for home.
#7 Commandment (6/1 ML)
His four-race win streak was broken in the Kentucky Derby but he went three for three at Gulfstream. He closed from the back of the pack in the Florida Derby, but he wasn’t that far back. He figures to be closer to the pace today and might be able to make a strong move late.
#8 Emerging Market (6/1 ML)
Was closer to the pace than expected in the Kentucky Derby and tired late. He wasn’t too far back in the Louisiana Derby and got the win late over Golden Tempo. If he stalked behind whoever takes the lead, he has a good shot here.
#9 Golden Tempo (9/2 ML)
The Kentucky Derby winner benefitted the most from the extremely hot pace in the Kentucky Derby going last to first to get his nose down in the first leg of the Triple Crown. He returns here looking to get two out of three legs of the Triple Crown just like Sovereignty last year. If it rains and the track is sloppy, do not be surprised if he takes to the wet track with a superior wet track pedigree.
Joe’s Pick
This may be a race that I wait until as late as possible to make my wager in the Belmont Stakes. It looks like the rain may not start until right before the big race. If it starts earlier, I could jump ship and play Golden Tempo.
After yesterday’s success, I have to take a swing on Growth Equity. If the main track is playing like he was yesterday, he should get the perfect trip to pull off the upset. Renegade is a horse that can beat any track bias (if there is one today). Commandment will be there and so will Golden Tempo.
I will lock in my pick with Growth Equity. I’m calling this race 6-4-9-7 and my play is $20 to win on the 6 and a $1 superfecta box of 4,6,7,9 which will cost $24. Best of luck and I’ll see you in the winner’s circle!
