US racing tips: Tom Collins sides with European runners in Belmont features

Harajuku
10.14 Belmont Park
1pt win

Yibir
10.45 Belmont Park
2pts win

March To The Arch
11.12 Woodbine
1pt win

European shippers, especially those from Charlie Appleby's Newmarket base, have had a lucrative season in US Stakes races and the turf dominance may continue with a handful of leading chances in the feature contests this weekend.

Aidan O'Brien won the Belmont Derby earlier in the year with Bolshoi Ballet, who will look to back up in the $1million Jockey Club Derby Invitational Stakes (10.45).

He showcased an exceptional turn of foot at this track in July but disappointed at Saratoga when last seen and should be taken on from the outside draw.

Preference is for the Appleby-trained Yibir, who produced a career-best performance in the Great Voltigeur at York last time (form boosted by runner-up The Mediterranean's third in the St Leger) and should be well suited to the US style of racing given his high cruising speed. Stall two and Jamie Spencer are also positives.

Appleby and Spencer also team up with Creative Flair in the preceding $700,000 Jockey Club Oaks Invitational Stakes (10.15) and are feared from the inside gate.

However, the value lies with the Andre Fabre-trained Harajuku, who relished quicker conditions in the Prix Cleopatre earlier this year and was far from disgraced in Group 2 company at Deauville last month. I like her draw in stall seven and she is sure to sit close to the speed.

Frankie Dettori and Danny Tudhope have mounts at Woodbine, but it's a runner for the home challenge who gets my vote in the $1m Ricoh Woodbine Mile (11.12).

March To The Arch needs plenty to go his way given his hold-up style of racing, but he finished a sound second in this Grade 1 last year, has drawn a perfect inside still and will be suited by a likely strong pace.

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