Maiden Focus for Belmont (Saturday, 7/10)

Belmont - Race 1

#4 BIG INVASION (9/2 ml)

2yo firster for Clement comes into this race having worked 3 times in a row (including a gate drill) with READY A.P., who came out of those drills to win by 8 lengths last week despite a slow start. I'm a little surprised that Dylan Davis gets the ride here, as READY A.P. had been ridden to victory by Luis Saez (which made him 2-for-2 with Clement at the meet), and I made a mental note to watch for Saez aboard BIG INVASION.

Saez instead wound up aboard FLIP THE SCRIPT (15/1), which is notable because he's won at a 28% clip for Albertrani this year, and also because FLIP THE SCRIPT appears to have worked with an older 3yo allowance horse (STIMULUS CHECK) on June 15. I can't confirm that as STIMULUS CHECK resides in the Gregg Matties barn, but you can see STIMULUS CHECK's PP's in Race 5, as that one happens to be entered on the same card today (perhaps more proof that it's not a coincidence). FLIP THE SCRIPT also appears to have outworked an unraced barnmate (HAIL TO) from the gate on June 30.

Note: today's race was originally scheduled for turf, but will be run on the main track.

Legit question. While both are likeable, my opinion on FLIP THE SCRIPT is based more on inference and supposition than on hard evidence (as seems to be the case with BIG INVASION). The difference in price lessens that gap to some extent, but just based on the info I have available, it's hard not to like BIG INVASION (aside from the presence of Dylan Davis, who doesn't generally ride any live Clement firsters). I suspect both will run well, but we'll see.

Well, BIG INVASION has been scratched, so there you go. Looks like FLIP THE SCRIPT is sitting at 6/1. Not bad after all the scratches.

Big Invasion scratched. 5 horse field.

BIG INVASION was scratched, while FLIP THE SCRIPT finished third @ 6/1 odds.

One last word on BIG INVASION, it'll be interesting to see what happens next time he's entered. Would assume Clement will enter him on turf again (guessing that's the reason for the scratch), but mainly I'm interested to see which rider gets named next time. If it's Saez or Rosario, that would probably be a good sign.

Thanks for posting MF (and for referencing the post in MLB), I know nothing about horse racing but enjoy reading/learning. And occassionally will place a small wager. 

No problem. Just trying to provide some useful info and build my brand. No guarantees of course, but I've done well in the past.

2020 Saratoga meet:

Win record: 8-for-25 (32%)

Total mutuels: $60.70 ($7.59 avg)

BIG INVASION is entered Friday @ Saratoga (Race 6)

Scratched again, go figure. Worth noting that Dylan Davis (whom Clement rarely uses) was named aboard both times.