Horse Racing Picks at Belmont Park and Santa Anita for Monday, May 31: Whisper Not going to win

Ricky Dimon

Horse Racing

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Since graduating from Davidson (The College That Stephen Curry Built), I have been writing about sports -- just about any and all you can think of! -- and coaching tennis in Atlanta, GA. Beyond the four major sports, I am an avid tennis fan and cover the ATP Tour on a daily basis. If I'm not busy writing, you can generally find me on a tennis court or traveling the world wherever a sporting event takes me.

@Dimonator133

Updated: 11:19 AM ET May 31, 2021

There is plenty of great horse racing action to look forward to across America on Monday, including at Belmont Park and Santa Anita. Here are four runners whom we think look to be a class above the opposition in their respective races. Let’s dive and take a look at some potentially lucrative plays.

4:06 pm Belmont Park (Race 7) – River Dog +140

Created a huge impression when making a winning start over six furlongs at Belmont last month. He tanked his way into the lead and drew clear in impressive fashion, shaping like a horse with a bright future. Stretching out in distance should eke out further improvement and natural progression can be expected from his first run to his second. An exciting prospect, he can take another step in the right direction.

7:18 pm Santa Anita (Race 7) – Whisper Not +250

Has gone from strength to strength since joining Richard Baltas from Richard Hannon’s yard in England. An allowance winner over track and distance two starts ago, he toughed it out to win the San Francisco Mile at Golden Gate last time. Even more on his plate today, but he’s clearly improving and his tactical versatility is an obvious positive. With that in mind, a big run has to be expected.

7:51 pm Santa Anita (Race 8) – Country Grammer +250

Classy colt who won the Grade 3 Peter Pan at Saratoga last July, ending the campaign with a fair fifth in the Travers at the same venue in August. Ran a huge race on return in the Californian, beaten just a neck by a race-fit Royal Ship, who reopposes today. He should improve markedly on his second start after the layoff and he’s unlikely to be contested on the front end once again. With that in mind, he looks set to reverse placings with Royal Ship.

5:12 pm Belmont Park (Race 9) – Mrs Orb +300

Highly consistent mare who deservedly forced her head back in front in the La Verdad at Aqueduct back in January. Prior to that, she had finished second on five consecutive occasions, including an Aqueduct Grade 3. She doesn’t know how to run a bad race and the short layoff is likely to have done her the world of good after a busy period. Setting the standard, she can swoop late under Jose Ortiz.

Exotic – Late Pick 4

Race 6: 4, 5
Race 7: 2, 6
Race 8: 1, 2, 5, 7
Race 9: 2, 6

$0.50 Late Pick 4, cost $16.00

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