Today's featured 9th race at Belmont Park is for older allowance fillies and mares going a mile and a sixteenth feature a classy filly making her U.S. debut, and Todd Pletcher trained $575K purchase that looked good breaking her turf maiden at first asking in Lexington and a Christophe Clement second-time starter in this country.

And we think Limonair (4-1) will offer some value given the presence of Chad Brown's import La Pernelle (5-2), and the Pletcher-trained filly, Counterparty (3-1).

When last seen, Limonair, bet to favoritism in her American debut, chase the pace throughout while slightly wide on a hard Gulfstream turf course, appearing a bit headstrong in the process. Tried as he might, Jose Lezcano couldn't quite settle her down but did his until she set sail for the leader while in the three-path on the far turn.

She rallied smartly, cutting into the leader's margin, but couldn't match strides with the winner's explosive turn of foot. Nevertheless, she continued gamely inside a weakened late, as if in need of the effort.

Subsequently, she's worked sharply at her Payson Park base and ships to Belmont, where Clement has gotten off to a good start; (7) 2-2-0 through Thursday's racing. Jose Lezcano accepts a return call and the filly figures to be a lot more fit for today's trip.

Taking Limonair to win at 3-1 or greater and key boxing her first and second in multiples with her rivals here.


Running Totals: (1077) 331-210-161 Total Dollar Return: $2,281.10 [win selections only]