Historically, posts 9 and out have been dismal on both of Belmont's grass courses when it comes to winning races, esp., in turf sprints. However, management has actually widened the inner turf course over the winter leading into this meet, to the point where it's actually wider than the outer, Widener turf course, in an attempt to level the playing field.

In this heat, one should note that the race has been switched to the narrower Widener turf course. The outer most gate belongs to Lady Activator, who will attempt to break first and win the race based on speed. In fact, speed often dominates in turf sprints, a fact accentuated by Friday's finale.
However, Richard DeMola has been waiting for decent weather to allow City Vice to capitalize on grass. Might get the jump on the entire field, might cancel out Lady Activator if they both duke it out and set it up for another runner, but good longshot material in this spot.
Mean Reversion bears watching from the inside gate, as well as Margaro and J C's Queen (who gets the recently enervated Cornholio).

Upon further review, must also respect Queens or Better, esp., with Morrison/Luzzi combo and Mikey's ability to break fast from the gate. Also, Picasso's La Vie....loathe Leo O'Brien, but reaches for Jose Lezcano and the breeding says 'go'. Actually, my observation of turf sprints is that a horse need not be bred for grass or even like it....sometimes, dirt speed is enough to get it done, esp., on sun-baked grass.

I honestly can't stand turf sprints and was disheartened to see Race 7, a route, taken off the grass today.

Maybe I should just take a pass on this heat......?

ex & tri box....3-4-9

DD...3-4-9/1-3-4-7

I botched that one; should have stuck to my initial instincts. That's why I can't stand grass sprints. But the inner posts did dominate this heat.

More money wasted on Leo O'Brien, too.