Belmont Saturday Briefly

- Just a couple of notes on the 7th and 8th, and more on the earlier races in the prior post.....In Race 7, Daza is two-for-two on the inner track; o-for-two elsewhere. So is he just a horse for the course? Or has he just improved for trainer Ramon Preciado, who took over prior to the two wins? Preciado campaigns mostly in Philly, but had a successful Aqueduct meeting with a record of 17-5-5-1. Jockey H G Rivera comes in from Philly to ride as he did for the two inner track wins. And would you rather hear more insightful analysis or have me spend time trying to find the guy's first name? Stonewood is going to find some early pressure from Daza, but he seems to like running head to head, and has some nice late Moss pace figs too. He's always close, and it's hard to see him not being right there; but doesn't it seem a little suspicious that he drops to a $30k tag after winning by three for 50 two back?

Songster (Songandaprayer) makes his return in the 8th race, the G3 Bold Ruler, and Godolphin Guy Rick Mettee said: “He had a real good breeze here the other day (four furlongs in :47 2/5, handily, May 4), so I expect him to come out running.” [Bloodhorse] We haven't seen him since he was thrashed by Henny Hughes in the King's Bishop. Prior to that was his shocking defeat in the Amsterdam at Saratoga at odds of 15 cents to the dollar. Tom Durkin editorialized: "Songster went too fast too soon!" as 10-1 Court Folly whizzed by at the end. The winner was ridden by none other than Calvin Borel, and he didn't take the inside route that day. He circled his four opponents as they turned for home, and came down the center of the track. So I guess he at least knows where it is. I remember he was very excited in the winner's circle, but I don't think he was invited to dinner by Joe Bruno.

That's it, have a great day.