Best bet of the weekend: Riding the ‘Bull’ in the Hill Prince Stakes

Oct 04, 2018 John Mucciolo/TwinSpires.com

A fantastic weekend of U.S. racing is upon us, with a bevy of races with Breeders’ Cup implications being hosted by Belmont Park , Santa Anita and Keeneland. While my top play of the weekend is not in a “Win & You’re In” event , it is a lucrative contest featuring a budding star.

Eight sophomores will go to post in Race 9 at Belmont Park on Saturday, the $500,000 Hill Prince Stakes (G2). The nine-furlong gras test attracted a nice field, but Chad Brown’s RAGING BULL (#3) (6-5) is the standout to me.

The bay son of Dark Angel owns four wins and a second from five lifetime outings, and exits a decisive score in the Saranac Stakes (G3) at Saratoga. The French-bred colt has great form and a sensational late kick. His favorite race of mine came on this lawn when he won an allowance race in June, clocking one-mile in a brisk 1:33.31.

Raging Bull gives me every indication that nine furlongs on this green will be ideal for him and he is not facing the top sophomore turf runners in the Hill Prince. Joel Rosario, the lone jockey to ride Raging Bull to this point, will once again be in the controls.

The wager is to back Raging Bull with confidence to win. And I will also single the colt in the late Pick 4 sequence.

BONUS

Race 3 at Belmont is for state-bred juveniles going six furlongs. Six of the 10 in the field will be making their debuts and it’s a first-time starter who piques my interest.

I AM SPARTACUS (#9) (5-2) has not missed a morning workout dating back to July, which included a fine half-mile gate drill at this venue two prior. I think he is poised to run a big one for a 23 percent first-out conditioner.

The son of 14 percent debut sire Shakin It Up brought $165,000 at OBS this spring to hint that he is a talent. The bay colt is bred to be a one-turn type and received a fine post slot away from the rail. And I love that Joel Rosario lands here.