Elusive Quality helps kick off opening weekend at Belmont

By NY Hot List Staff | Friday, April 29, 2022

Though spring actually arrived last month, a great sign that it has bloomed can be found this weekend with the opening of Belmont Park. More turf racing, a higher quality of racing, and the third and final Triple Crown race are hallmarks of the 44-day meet that kicks off with a weekend that features Saturday’s Elusive Quality Stakes. The $100,000 turf stakes attracted a field of 11 in which, to no one’s surprise, trainer Chad Brown has the horse to beat in Value Proposition.

Here’s the Hot List picks for the Elusive Quality Stakes:

The $100,000 Elusive Quality, Belmont park, Saturday, Race 9

(6) Value Proposition was third in this race last year and sports a great record at Belmont of 7: 4-0-2. Last month after a layoff, he set the pace and finished third in the Dangers Hour at Aqueduct. (10) American Monarch gets back on the turf where he made his first three starts including a maiden win for Bill Mott. He spent the winner running very well on the dirt in Aqueduct allowances, finishing first or second in his last four races. (2) Big Package has been off since November. He won at this distance at Belmont last year. (3) Proven Strategies ran twice at Gulfstream this year with a recent allowance win for Mark Casse.

The rest of the NY Hot List picks and the Special Saturday Pick 3 are available free of charge at this website.