Let’s take a look at some of the stakes races on the New York Showcase card at Belmont. We had some wet weather in the New York area Friday, with more showers expected. Hopefully, these races remain on the turf because I have some opinions in both the Mohawk and Ticonderoga. Race 6 – Mohawk Stakes 8 - TAPITATION (4 to 1 Morning Line, 7 to 2 Value Line) KHARAFA (1) beat four of these common rivals last month in the Ashley T. Cole when saving ground behind a slow pace. He might receive a similar trip here from the inside draw, but I’m expecting the pace to be faster. If it is, the Mohawk sets up for the late-running, long-striding Tapitation. Trained by Ralph Nicks, Tapitation has been stymied by slow-paced races since winning the Kingston over yielding ground May 30. He was forced to stay close in both the Forbidden Apple and West Point, and was wired both times by the venerable KING KREESA (9). In the Ashley T. Cole, it appeared that Nicks entered a rabbit, LATIGO TRAIL (4), to ensure a quick pace so that Tapitation could utilize his preferred late-running tactics. While Latigo Trail did clear to the front, he was then oddly rated to a 1:15.68 six-furlong split while Tapitation toiled at the back. Tapitation came with a strong wide bid, but couldn’t get to Kharafa, who got the jump turning into the stretch. I’m expecting Eric Cancel to be more aggressive this time on Latigo Trail. If not, it is noteworthy that MACAGONE (2) returns to the New York-bred ranks. The last time the speedy Macagone and King Kreesa were in the same race was the Kingston, the race that Tapitation won from far back. Here’s hoping Latigo Trail, Macagone and King Kreesa throw it down early. I’ll bet Tapitation to Win at 7-2 or greater and will use in single- and multiple-race exotics with Kharafa and OFFERING PLAN (6) Race 9 – Ticonderoga Stakes 5- NECK OF THE MOON (8 to 1 Morning Line, 6 to 1 Value Line) The deserving headliner, and heavy favorite, of the Ticonderoga is Chad Brown’s FOURSTAR CROOK (12), a filly seeking her seventh consecutive victory. Fourstar Crook just beat six of these horses in the John Hettinger on Sept. 25, has won on firm and yielding turf and has a speed figure edge on the group. That being said, I’m not totally convinced that she is truly superior to her uncoupled stablemate, Neck of the Moon. Neck of the Moon may not be the most prolific winner with a 20-4-5-6 lifetime record, but she has run well in her last several races for Brown. Three back, she chased wide off a slow pace, made the front turning into the stretch, and dropped a neck decision to the solid My Sweet Girl, a filly entered in the Grade 3 Athenia on Sunday. In her last two races, she was mired in traffic at crucial points of the running and could never really get clear to threaten Fourstar Crook. Neck of the Moon usually breaks well from the gate, but her regular rider, Irad Ortiz Jr., is always intent on taking her back to cover her up. Perhaps her new pilot, Joel Rosario, will seek a more forward early position off expected pacesetters INVADING HUMOR (6) and OLD HARBOR (10). I’ll give her one more chance to prove herself against Fourstar Crook at 6-1 odds or greater and will use her with the favorite in exotics. -- Quickly looking at some of the other stakes, I like BONITA BIANCA (9) in the Maid of the Mist (5th race). A strapping daughter of Curlin, Bonita Bianca rallied to win her debut at six furlongs. I think that distance is a bit short for her, and she should appreciate stretching out to a one-turn mile this afternoon. I prefer SUPER SURPRISE (8) to WONDER GAL (2) and BAR OF GOLD (1) in the Empire Distaff (8th race). A 3-year-old filly tackling elders, Super Surprise might have more upside potential than the other two and enters in sharp form seeking her fourth straight victory. While I like the 3-year-old in the Distaff, I’ll stick with veteran ROYAL POSSE (6) in the main event, the Empire Classic (10th race). He’ll face a tough task with GOVERNOR MALIBU (2) and WAKE UP IN MALIBU (1) both in excellent form, but he should get some pace to attack, and he wouldn’t mind moisture in the track. Good luck!