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Sunday’s Cross Country Pick 5 features racing from Belmont Park and Monmouth Park

by Ryan Martin

The New York Racing Association Inc. (NYRA) will host a Cross Country Pick 5 on Sunday featuring action from Belmont Park and Monmouth Park. 

The Cross Country Pick 5 requires bettors to pick the winner of five select races from tracks across the country. The minimum bet for the multi-track, multi-race wager is 50 cents. Wagering on the Cross Country Pick 5 is available on ADW platforms and at simulcast facilities across the country with each week featuring a mandatory payout of the net pool. The Cross Country Pick 5, boasting a low 15 percent takeout, offers sequences with races from Belmont Park and partner tracks across the country. 

The sequence kicks off in Race 6 at Monmouth Park [3:01 p.m. Eastern], where a field of nine fillies and mares 3-years-old and upward take on a 5 1/2-furlong turf maiden special weight.

Trainer Phillip Antonacci will saddle Mrs. John Magnier, Ice Wine Stable and Lindy Farms’ Remind for her first start in North America. The bay daughter of U S Navy Flag ran twice in Ireland last year, including a third to eventual Group 1 winner Tahiyra on debut at Galway. Trainer John Servis sends out first time starter Augie’s Girl, a daughter of Nyquist; while Hall of Famer Shug McGaughey will be represented by first-time starter Mom’s Right, by Good Samaritan. 

Action shifts to Belmont Park for the second leg where New York-bred fillies and mares 3-years-old and upward seek their first triumph against winners in Race 7 [3:47 p.m.]. Headlining the field of nine is Gatsas Stables, R. A. Hill Stable and Hidden Brook Farm’s You’re My Girl, who makes her first start since finishing fifth in the Grade 1 Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Fillies in November at Keeneland for trainer John Terranova. The Overanalyze filly was a close second in the Grade 1 Frizette in October at Belmont at the Big A after a triumphant debut at Saratoga against state-breds. Peter Kazamias’ homebred Athena Beach provides formidable opposition as she seeks to keep an unbeaten record intact for trainer Dimitrios Synnefias. The Bank Heist chestnut is unbeaten in four lifetime starts, all of which took place at Penn National. 

The middle leg returns to Monmouth Park [Race 8; 3:58 p.m.] as Baby Steps takes on 5 1/2-furlong allowance optional claiming company on the turf, while seeking her third straight triumph for trainer Jorge Delgado. The 4-year-old Jimmy Creed chestnut beat Florida-breds on the Gulfstream Park turf in April before winning against open company in an off-the-turf allowance in May at Monmouth. M and W Stables’ Alberta-bred Knowing Glance will make her turf debut for trainer Kelly Breen, entering from a $25,000 starter allowance victory at Monmouth.

In the penultimate leg, 10 fillies and mares assemble for a 1 1/16-mile starter allowance over Belmont’s Widener turf [Race 8; 4;19 p.m.]. Trainer Linda Rice will seek a second straight victory with New York-bred Kannon Fire, who enters off a $50,000 claiming victory on May 28 at BeImont. Trainer Tom Albertrani will saddle Hickory Plains’ Except Temptation, who enters from three straight third-place finishes, while Naipaul Chatterpaul will try to win first off the claim with Stella Mars.

Stakes action from Monmouth closes the curtain on the sequence as 10 New Jersey-breds 3-years-old and upward target the $150,000 Irish War Cry [Race 10; 4:57 p.m.] going one mile over the turf.

Isabelle De Tomaso’s homebred Irish Boolum – whose dam Irish Score is a half-sister to the race’s millionaire namesake – will seek her second straight stakes win. The 4-year-old Exaggerator chestnut enters from an 8 3/4-length win in the Friendly Lover on June 11 at Monmouth for trainer Cathal Lynch. Roseland Farm Stable’s He’spuregold seeks to protect his title for trainer Kelly Breen, entering from a distant fourth in the Friendly Lover. The 5-year-old son of Vancouver attempts his first win since defeating open company on New Year’s Day at Gulfstream. 

Free Equibase past performances for the Cross Country Pick 5 sequence will be available for download at https://www.nyra.com/belmont/racing/cross-country-wagers.

America’s Day at the Races will present daily coverage and analysis of the spring/summer meet at Belmont Park on the networks of FOX Sports. For the complete broadcast schedule, visit https://www.nyra.com/belmont/racing/tv-schedule.

NYRA Bets is the best way to bet every race of the Belmont spring/summer meet. Available to horse players nationwide, the NYRA Bets app is available for download today on iOS and Android at www.NYRABets.com.

Cross Country Pick 5 – Sunday, July 9

Leg A: Monmouth Park – Race 6, maiden special weight (3:01 p.m. Eastern)

Leg B: Belmont Park – Race 7, allowance optional claimer (3:47 p.m.)

Leg C: Monmouth Park – Race 8, allowance optional claimer (3:58 p.m.)

Leg D: Belmont Park – Race 8, starter allowance (4:19 p.m.)

Leg E: Monmouth Park – Race 10, $150,000 Irish War Cry (4:57 p.m.)