Belmont Card Is a Good Bet

The day before it hosts the Breeders’ Cup for the third time, Belmont Park is the place to be.

It is also the track that offers today’s best wagering opportunities for horse players, because Santa Anita is offering another subpar card.

A total of 108 horses were entered in today’s 10-race card at Belmont and the program includes four graded stakes--two divisions of the $125,000 Athenia, the $100,000 Nashua, the $150,000 First Flight and the $150,000 Knickerbocker.

One of the participants in the first division of the Athenia, a Grade III at 11/16 miles on the turf, is Freefourracing. Considered a strong contender for last year’s Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Fillies after a powerful victory in her U.S. debut at Keeneland in October, the French Deputy filly was knocked out of the race by injury and has been on the sidelines since for Stonerside Stable and trainer Neil Drysdale. A winner of four of five lifetime, Freefourracing will be ridden for the first time by Gary Stevens.

The contenders in the Nashua, a Grade III at a flat mile for 2-year-olds, include the unbeaten Listen Here, a son of Gulch who has won two in a row for Bill Mott; Sunray Spirit, a two-time winner for Godolphin and trainer Eoin Harty; and recent maiden winner Monthir.

The First Flight, a Grade II at seven furlongs for older fillies and mares, lured California shipper Kalookan Queen, who has won two in a row for Bruce Headley; Finder’s Fee and Dream Supreme.

The Knickerbocker, a Grade II at 11/4 miles on the turf, is the last of the day’s stakes races and attracted runners such as Manndar, Spindrift, Eltawaasul and Cetewayo.

Race of the day: The best local race is probably the sixth, a 10-furlong race for turf specialists. The sharpest thoroughbred in the field is Jordi Moi, a 3-year-old who has won three of his last four for trainer Mike Machowsky. This will be his first race against older horses.

Who’s hot: Our Man Red. Another Machowsky trainee, the 3-year-old gelded son of Al Mamoon has won three in a row and he shortens to 61/2 furlongs in today’s seventh in search of another score.

Who’s not: Lotta Pay. The 6-year-old California bred is winless in 33 entering tonight’s second race at Bay Meadows. In her last two starts, she has lost by a combined 41 lengths.

Exotically speaking: A pick three singling Thunder Valley in the third, using Timely Runner and Gray Hawk in the fourth and Tamarack Bay, Bare Necessities, Chez La Femme and Ghunwa in the fifth.

Winners: Previous Day/Meet Total: 4/63. Money: Previous Day/Meet Total: $23.80/$365.20. Total money bet: $394.