Saturday plays: Play these singles in Woody Stephens, Met Mile

While the race feels open, two horses in particular display excellent stamina pedigrees and enough ability to capture the Belmont Stakes on June 10, otherwise known as the test of the champion. Those two runners fit well in the special Met Mile – Belmont Stakes double, which is constructed below with a single in the former leg of the sequence.

Before that special double sequence though is another daily double linking the Ogden Phipps Stakes (G1) to the Woody Stephens Stakes (G1), with a single in the latter race of that sequence. 

Belmont Race 7: Ogden Phipps Stakes (G1)

Secret Oath looks underlaid at 2-1 after losing by a neck to Clairiere in the Apple Blossom Handicap (G1) at Oaklawn and then losing by a neck again to Played Hard in the La Troienne Stakes (G1) at Churchill Downs.

Even though Clairiere is 6/5 on the morning line, she makes more sense given she won the Apple Blossom after needing to make up eight lengths at the half-mile point. Clairiere’s instinct for winning feels more trustworthy than Secret Oath, and that goes a long way in betting.

For a better price, Played Hard deserves consideration after beating Secret Oath fair and square in the La Troienne. She gave chase in second to the pacesetter Society in the early stages of the race before holding off the late charge from Secret Oath on the outside late.

Search Results also makes sense to play as she tried hard in the La Troienne in her first start off the 181-day layoff and lost by less than a length in third.

Double: 6 / 13

Double: 2, 5 / 13

Belmont Race 8: Woody Stephens Stakes (G1)

Drew’s Gold might emerge from the Woody Stephens Stakes a star.

In his start before this race, Drew’s Gold gave an excellent impression in the Gold Fever Stakes by putting away the pacesetter Andiamo a Firenze through a fast pace and opening up to win by 4 3/4 lengths with an impressive 123 TimeformUS speed figure. The win brought his record up to 4 for 4, and now he logically makes his graded stakes debut. 

While the pace scenario seems fast in this spot with Arabian Lion, New York Thunder and Harrodsburg, Drew’s Gold can potentially stalk. He made use of stalking tactics in his first two starts and won both races.

The lesser-known trainer James Chapman should keep the price on Drew’s Gold fair as well, as the public usually gravitates towards super-stables.

Given the high speed figure and his versatility, Drew’s Gold is the single.

Win: 13 (at 9/2 or higher)

Belmont Race 10: Metropolitan Handicap (G1)

White Abarrio is in great spot to post a new career high effort as an improving 4-year-old colt with talent.

Forget about White Abarrio’s recent nine-furlong efforts. He ran well when third by only half a length in the Cigar Mile (G1) last December. In his second start of this year, White Abarrio also won a seven-furlong optional claiming race at Gulfstream by 4 ½ lengths over the decent Weyburn.

In the Met Mile, White Abarrio drew outside and will fall into a perfect stalking position right behind the speed horses Dr. Schivel, Charge It and Repo Rocks. On the turn, White Abarrio should then get first jump on the leaders and possibly hold off the closer and favorite Cody’s Wish.

White Abarrio also makes his first start for the formerly suspended trainer Richard Dutrow and could improve on that reason alone. Sometimes horses wake up and find a new level under a different routine in the mornings.

One other note is that 4-year-olds tend to dominate this race. 

Win: 9 (at 8-1 or higher)

Met Mile – Belmont Double: 9 / 3,7

Belmont Race 12: Belmont Stakes (G1)

Every year, pedigree analysis tends to become overdone leading up to the Kentucky Derby. But in the Belmont, it makes sense to emphasize the horses with the best bloodlines for running 1 1/2 miles, as none of the runners will show experience traveling beyond 10 furlongs in the past.

Arcangelo recently won the Peter Pan Stakes (G3) on this course over a talented colt in Bishops Bay after only breaking his maiden in his previous start. He lacks experience against top 3-year-olds, but he may overcome it.

His sire Arrogate was a successful router, and his damsire Tapit has already sired four different Belmont Stakes winners. Plus, Arcangelo’s dam line extends to Better Than Honour, who produced two Belmont winners in Jazil and Rags to Riches in her great broodmare career.

The second option is Hit Show, who won the Withers Stakes (G3) at Aqueduct earlier in the year before finishing second in the Wood Memorial Stakes (G2) and a deceptively good fifth in the Kentucky Derby.

In the Kentucky Derby, Hit Show made an early move while running wide through a blazing pace. He was only 3 1/2 lengths off the leader at the half-mile and still found himself as part of the mix at the top of the stretch with a chance to win. He just did not accelerate in the stretch.

Hit Show’s damsire is also Tapit. In addition, Hit Show's first dam Actress was a long-winded two-time stakes winner who won both the 2017 Black-Eyed Susan Stakes (G2) and Comely Stakes (G3) at nine furlongs.

Hit Show clearly has stamina and may outlast the Belmont field if Arcangelo does not fire.