Nothing Better is obviously a “horse for the course” entering the $200,000 Belmont Turf Sprint (G3) on Saturday.
The 6-furlong turf dash at Belmont at the Big A attracted a field of nine with Prince of Jericho also entered as a main-track only runner in the event the race is rained off the grass.
No one in the race is more comfortable on the Aqueduct lawn than Nothing Better, 3-1-0 in six starts here including consecutive victories in the Turf Sprint in 2022-23.
Now 7, the gelding is still hotly competitive for trainer Jorge Duarte, Jr. Nothing Better has already notched stakes wins this year in the Mighty Beau at Churchill Downs and the Wolf Hill at Monmouth Park. His last two were hard-luck losses: by a nose in Monmouth’s Select Stakes and a neck in the Da Hoss at Colonial Downs.
Duarte is dreaming big, looking at the Breeders’ Cup Turf Sprint (G1) as a possible next start, assuming all goes well on Saturday.
“I think he deserves a chance if he keeps running this way,” Duarte said.
Nothing Better certainly commands respect in this spot but should he command our wagers? We’re not so sure in this competitive event.
Axthelm is coming into his own as a grass sprinter and this could be his statement race. He rallied for third behind Cogburn most recently in the Turf Sprint (G2) at Kentucky Downs.
Yes, that Cogburn who is undefeated in three stakes races this year including the Jaipur (G1) at Saratoga to rank as the division leader.
Axthelm has the rail, which should work to his advantage. He is the best closer in the field, so a clean break would put him in a solid spot to pounce in the lane. And a 6-1 quote on the morning line certainly doesn't hurt.
Also on the card are a pair of Breeders’ Cup “Win and You’re In” races, the Champagne Stakes (G1) and the Frizette Stakes (G1).
The Turf Sprint is race 6 with a post time of 2:45 p.m. ET
For those who bet horse racing ...
The picks: 1 Axthelm 2 Nothing Better 3 Senbei
1 Axthelm (Dylan Davis, Saffie Joseph, Jr.), 6-1
2 Mischievous Angel (Irad Ortiz, Jr., Jorge Abreu), 4-1
3 Outlaw Kid (Flavien Prat, George Weaver), 6-1
4 Maya Prince (Joel Rosario, Mike Trombetta), 12-1
5 Senbei (Manny Franco, Christophe Clement), 5-1
6 Son of a Birch (Ben Curtis, Tom Morley), 15-1
7 Determined Kingdom (Victor Carrasco, Phil Shoenthal), 10-1
8 Alogon (Jaime Rodriguez, Ned Allard), 6-1
9 Nothing Better (Jorge Ruiz, Jorge Duarte, Jr.), 3-1
The writing team at US Racing is comprised of both full-time and part-time contributors with expertise in various aspects of the Sport of Kings.
