Storm Shooter looks to get back to the winner’ circle while dropping in for a claiming tag for the first time in Thursday’s second race at Belmont Park. The $40,000 claiming event will have a field of six, with Manny Franco piloting Storm Shooter from post 1 in the seven-furlong dirt race. With odds of 3-1, Storm Shooter is the co-second choice in the field. Post time is 1:33 p.m. ET.
Storm Shooter has struggled to find his previous solid form since his 11-month layoff ended in mid-January. After being gelded and still not stepping it up, some relief in company was the next step to help Storm Shooter find the winner’s circle again. In his final breeze on April 30th, Rob Atras said it was by far the best he has seen Storm Shooter traveling since he has been in his barn. The time was slow due to instructions to the rider to take it easy with a race just five days later.
About the Competition (in post position order):
Forty Comets (3-1) is dropping from salty allowance levels, where he did hold his own in some races this winter. Breaking his maiden back in December gave him his highest Beyer Speed Figure of 78. He will have to run back to that effort to beat the field here.
Centavo (12-1) has improved since being claimed by Naipaul Chatterpaul. His best races have come at a mile, and he would have to improve immensely from his previous seven-furlong race to beat the field here. Would look elsewhere.
Daufuskie Island (4-1) broke his maiden nicely on debut last summer in Saratoga against New York-breds. Since that effort, he ran in five consecutive restricted stakes and two decent allowance races in state-bred company. This will be his first time running longer than 6 ½ furlongs, with his best distance being six furlongs where he earned an 83 BSF. Will have to return to former form with the addition of blinkers here.
Top of the Mint (6-1) broke his maiden in a maiden claiming event in November after a 13-month layoff and following two years of trying to break through the maiden ranks. He has not been seen since December after a fifth-place finish in state-bred allowance company. Dropping back to the claiming level could help this gelding. With Kendrick Carmouche aboard, Top of the Mint will likely show early speed, which he used to break his maiden.
Life Changer (9-5) is the morning-line favorite and last raced at Tampa Bay Downs. Life Changer has run against some tough competition in his career, including Following Sea. He has run some high speed figures and gets the benefit of a five-pound weight allowance with apprentice Jose Gomez aboard. Most likely the one to beat.
