Free Selections: Four Stakes Friday at Belterra Park

Summer is in full swing, and the sweltering sun is a whole lot better than counting the inches of snow. Belterra Park is pulling four $75,000 stakes on one card, making for a great way to end the week. TGIF!!

A quick note: these are Ed's personal selections, based on his own handicapping. They are separate from the WinningPonies E-Z Win Form picks.

Belterra Park

Race 4: The $75,000 Horizon Stakes, 1 1/16 Miles on the Turf (2:05 PM ET)

#5 Striking Lady is a daughter of Air Strike for trainer Ricardo Bailey, with J. Simpson in the saddle. Her last two races have been winning efforts coming in from Cleveland. The last was the $75,000 Cincinnatian, which was supposed to be on the greensward before being rained off. After two impressive stalking wins and a bullet work, I can see the turf being welcomed. And if they come off the grass, she has a notch in her gun belt with a win over the main track.

Race 5: The $75,000 Hoover Stakes, 5 1/2 Furlongs (2:35 PM ET)

#1 Just a Dot is a two-year-old son of Basin and a perfect one for one. He draws the rail post, which is winning around 25% sprinting. Justin Radosevich is the conditioner, shipping in from Cleveland after breaking his maiden at Thistledown. He broke from the six post that day, sat just off the pace, and inhaled the field. Luis Gonzalez is in the irons again, and the barn wins 39% off a last-race win. Use with #2 The Ace Project and #4 Book Value.

Race 7: The $75,000 Tah Dah Stakes, 5 1/2 Furlongs (3:35 PM ET)

#2 Maddie's Fury is a two-year-old daughter of Yoshida for trainer Tim Hamm, with Rocco Bowen aboard. She broke her maiden against open company and went wire to wire. She was heavily backed and did not disappoint. Today she faces Ohio-breds and should take the next step with a positive effort. She is 10-1 on the morning line and offers great value.

Race 8: The $75,000 Vivacious Stakes, 1 1/16 Miles on the Turf (4:05 PM ET)

#7 Awesomesauce is a daughter of Union Rags who has raced on the turf six times with four in-the-money efforts for the Joe Sharp barn. Gabriel Saez is in town to ride. She has a strong late kick and drops in class, facing Ohio-breds for the first time. She is 3-1 on the morning line, and if you get anywhere near that price, go to the windows early and often.

Best of luck, Ed.