3 minute read
Belmont has the Strickland Stakes this Saturday in the last of the Winter triple crown G3s.
The trifecta from the Hyperion Stakes concentrate the betting but we will be going for the one furthest back in that race as Mississippi Delta tries for her first win since the Perth Cup.
She made good ground in the Belmont Sprint and then battled away second up in that Hyperion.
The key for her is getting to the 2000m. Being by High Chaparral that is always a bonus.
She won't need to be giving away a lot of real estate mid-race and being fitter that is why she can land midfield if William Pike wants to.
Look for him to get the mare rolling before the corner and try to steal a march on the other mare owned in similar interests.
Another mare who loves this track and distance is Essential Spice and she has to be very hard to beat in Race 7.
She resumes off the inside barrier after racing some very good horses over Summer.
With four Belmont wins, five wins around this journey and a strong soft track record, Pike just needs to make sure she doesn't get shuffled back a long way.
When is he never in form but he's been flying of late so easy to stick with the record breaking rider again.
BEST FROM THE WEST
BET OF THE DAY (1): Race 5 #8 Mississippi Delta @ $3.40
BET OF THE DAY (2): Race 7 #5 Essential Spice @ $1.95