Belmont/ Aqueduct Kicks Off Another Racing Week: Thursday Analysis

Thursday kicks off another week of racing in the Belmont at the Big A meet. The lid lifting card features the backbone of American horse racing.

Belmont at the Big A- Race 1

Post: 12:35 PM ET; $35k Maiden Claiming going 6 furlongs on dirt; Entries: 8

• #7 FREE CHICKENS (1-1) gets the top selection. She has the pedigree to be a major player in this spot. This one looks to be the class of the field.
• #2 IN TRAFFIC (3-1) should improve off the first start and is well bred for this spot.
• #8 BIG BEAN CHRISTINE (10-1) is a price horse and makes sense on speed figures. This one has to be respected going out for the combination of Catalano and Mccarthy.
• #6 TEKILA (6-1) should be part of the early pace in this spot.

Selections: 7 – 2 – 8 – 6

Belmont at the Big A- Race 2

Post: 1:06 PM ET; $39k Claiming going 1 mile on dirt; Entries: 7

• #2 VALLARAND (8-5) is the top pick based on her speed figures.
• #4 FUNWHILEITLASTED (2-1) could be a dangerous threat to get loose on the front end.
• #7 MY SWEET WIFE (6-1) seems to be running for the minor placings in this contest. She seems to fit well enough here.
• #5 STORMI CAT LADY (10-1) is a price horse and is a good bet to hit the board in this type of race.

Selections: 2 – 4 – 7 – 5

Belmont at the Big A- Race 3

Post: 1:42 PM ET; $45k Claiming going 1 1/16 miles on turf; Entries: 10

• #5 LOOKIN TO FLY (10-1) will be rolling late and has a good closing kick that could get the job done here. This one makes sense on speed figures.
• #7 CAFE FLEUR (2-1) appears to be a major player in this race. She has to be respected going out for the combination of Brown and Ortiz. This one has the top overall power rating in the group.
• #4 ENTWINE (6-1) feels like a fringe contender in this spot. This one will likely have a lot to do in the lane, but could get up with a competitive run.
• #2 KEMBA (10-1) has solid early pace figures in a race that looks to lack a ton of front running speed.

Selections: 5 – 7 – 4 – 2

Belmont at the Big A- Race 4

Post: 2:12 PM ET; $39k Claiming going 1 mile on dirt; Entries: 9

• #5 HOMETOWN (2-1) gets the top selection. He has proven to be able to handle these conditions in previous starts. This one goes out for the Atras barn and gets Franco in the irons.
• #6 CHARGER (5-2) seems to fit well enough here.
• #7 AL'S PRINCE (8-1) has run against some solid horses in previous races and could take a step forward here.
• #2 WILL E SUTTON (5-1) fits with this group based on numbers. It wouldn’t be surprising to see him in the mix.

Selections: 5 – 6 – 7 – 2

Belmont at the Big A- Race 5

Post: 2:44 PM ET; $95k Maiden Special Weight going 6 furlongs on turf; Entries: 14

• #1A CLUBHOUSE (5-2) has to be respected going out for the combination of Pletcher and Ortiz.
• #3 DON'T LET ME DOWN (6-1) should improve off the first start and should be competitive in this spot. He will likely have a lot to do in the lane, but could get up with a competitive run.
• #4 THREE ZERO (8-1) has races good enough to beat this group.
• #1 CHIRINGO (5-2) is coupled and goes out for the second start. He seems to make sense here and you get two for the price of one.

Selections: 1A- 3 – 4 – 1

Belmont at the Big A- Race 6

Post: 3:16 PM ET; $28k Claiming going 6 1/2 furlongs on dirt; Entries: 8

• #6 FREUDIAN (1-1) looks best here. This one has solid early pace figures in a race that looks to lack a ton of front running speed.
• #8 MERGER OF EQUALS (4-1) goes out for the Rice barn and gets Lezcano in the irons.
• #2 MY DELICIOUS (10-1) is a price horse and seems to be running for the minor placings in this contest. She has proven to be able to handle these conditions in previous starts.
• #4 PREDETERMINED (5-1) has been really solid in recent starts and should be ready to run a big one here. This one could be a dangerous threat to get loose on the front end.

Selections: 6 – 8 – 2 – 4

Belmont at the Big A- Race 7

Post: 3:50 PM ET; $37k Maiden Claiming going 7 furlongs on dirt; Entries: 10

• #9 TOUGH STREET (7-5) gets the top selection. She has races good enough to beat this group. This one has the pedigree to be a major player in this spot.
• #5 QUEEN OF LIES (5-1) may be the class of the field based on the previous starts.
• #7 UPTOWN EXPRESS (4-1) should improve off the first start and shouldn't have trouble with the 7 furlong distance.
• #2 FLATTERING GAL (8-1) is likely to improve off the debut for the combination of Noda and Ortiz.

Selections: 9 – 5 – 7 – 2

Belmont at the Big A- Race 8

Post: 4:22 PM ET; $90k Allowance Optional Claiming going 1 mile on turf; Entries: 13

• #3 CATCH THAT PARTY (7-2) is the top pick. He has the top overall power rating in the group.
• #1 STRAW INTO GOLD (4-1) appears to be a major player in this race. He shouldn’t have an issue getting the mile distance.
• #2 CALL ME HARRY (5-2) appears to be a major player in this race. He has races good enough to beat this group. This one has been really solid in recent starts and should be ready to run a big one here.
• #5 KLICKITAT (3-1) will likely be in the first flight of runners and should be in with a chance late. This one goes out for the Rice barn and gets Lezcano in the irons.

Selections: 3 – 1 – 2 – 5

Belmont at the Big A- Race 9

Post: 4:54 PM ET; $45k Claiming going 6 furlongs on turf; Entries: 11

• #6 SWASHBUCKLE (7-5) looks best here. He has been really solid in recent starts and should be ready to run a big one here. This one has races good enough to beat this group.
• #7 VOCALIZE (7-2) appears to be a major player in this race. He makes sense on speed figures. This one has the top overall power rating in the group.
• #10 VETERANS BEACH (8-1) will likely be in the first flight of runners and should be in with a chance late.
• #9 RED MULE (10-1) will likely have a lot to do in the lane, but could get up with a competitive run. This one has to be respected going out for the combination of Antonacci and Ortiz.

Selections: 6 – 7 – 10- 9

Belmont Park At The Big A Handicapping Tools

Betting News will continue bringing full card analysis from each and every race day from the Belmont at the Big A meet as well as stakes action from around North America. Coverage includes weekend action from Santa Anita Park and opening weekend from Keeneland which prepares to host the Breeders’ Cup in November.