Turf Racing at Belterra Park / Thursday - Saturday

Everyone loves racing on the greensward. There is something special about watching them thunder for home on the lush sod. Wednesday has a 30% rain, but the sunshine is loose for the remainder of the week. - There was no turf racing last week due to heavy rains and the turf has greened up very nicely and awaits the horses to cross over to the turf course. - What are ya waiting for? It's almost post time!

Thursday - Belterra Park

Race #1 - #6 - Shear ( 5-2) = The rider and trainer are 3/3 ITM the past two weeks and jockey Eder Martinez is winning at a 29% win clip the past 60 days with Richard Estvanko. They drop in class today and switch to a rider who does magic for this barn. She's a late runner and Martinez wins at 45% on the turf with closers.

Race #5 - #2 - Authoritarian (2-1) = Eder Martinez and Richie Estvanko team up again, shooting for four straight wins and 12/14 ITM on the grass. Versatile son of English Channel and looks to be a push-button runner who loves the course.

Friday - Belterra Park

Race #1 - #8 - Link to Destiny (5-2) = Also entered for Thursday and must be a reason to dodge some others to find this spot. Juan Cruz Rios in the irons for Wesley Ward, and this son of Data Link is 4/5 ITM over the sod and the barn is winning at a 29% win clip for the meet. Shooting for three straight wins and the trainer wins 42% off a last race win looking for a repeat.

Race #5 - #4 - Devil of Paradis = Filly who can sport some speed under Rolnadon Arago for MIke Evans II. The trainer wins 26% first time on the grass and the bullet work of 48.3 is the best at Thoroughbred Training Center as the best of 85 works.

Race #7 - #7 - Miliondolarmonkey = 3rd off the layoff for apprentice rider Yoel Navas aboard for Yoni Orantes. Navas is 30% ITM on the turf and ships back from Horseshoe Indianapolis and should appreciate the class relief. Look for solid speed from this daughter of Lemon Drop Kid.

Saturday - Belterra Park

Race #1 - #4 - Waylaid (5-2) = Walther Rodriguez in town for trainer Wesley Ward and this son of Animal Kingdom is making his 2nd start of 2024. Two starts and two second place finishes on the green. The rider wins 26% on the weeds and 70% shipping in to ride for Wesley Ward. Look for a stalking trip loaded to pounce around the far turn.

Race #5 - #4 - Coal Boss (7-2) = Drops in class today shipping in from CD. Rider John McKee is red hot scoring 11/13 ITM the past week and winning at a 29% clip for the meet. Has a 52 day layoff and facing much lesser company for Greg Foley.

Race #7 - #5 - Infinite (5-2) = David Flores in the saddle for Wesley Ward. The same David Flores who has won three BC races, Hollywood Gold Cup, Santa Anita Derby and the UAE Derby. He was a beaten chalk last out and makes his 2nd start of 2024. He has been off 50 days and should improve moving back to a sprint. Flores works many of Wesley's big horses these days and rides sparingly in the races. Be nice to see a wire to wire victory today.

Nothing like turf racing and the course had a week long rain seven days ago looking lush and green. The turf rail is set at 14 feet and the outside posts will have some tough road to overcome. - Speed and stalkers do well, and don't be afraid to pull the trigger of long range closers. Overall, the track is fair and with a nice little break last week should freshen it up nicely.