Belmont at the Big A: Ortiz Jr. Looks to Widen Jockey Lead Thursday

Vosburgh week from the Belmont at the Big A kicks off Thursday. Irad Ortiz Jr. finds himself in a usual position atop the jockey standings on the NYRA circuit.

Belmont at the Big A- Race 1

Post: 12:35 PM ET; $35k Maiden Claiming going 1 mile on dirt; Entries: 6

• #1 NORTH POLE (4-5) gets the top selection. He shouldn't have trouble with the 1 mile distance. This one has been really solid in recent starts and should be ready to run a big one here.
• #2 RIVER OF NO RETURN (5-2) comes into the race in really good form.
• #4 LUCKY MUCHO MAN (7-2) may benefit from a hot pace up front but the concern is that if this one wanted to run by horses, he likely wouldn’t be a maiden anymore.
• #5 VINNY TWO CENTS (20-1) is a price horse and seems to be running for the minor placings in this contest. He’s been running against some decent horses in previous efforts.

Selections: 1 – 2 – 4 – 5

Belmont at the Big A- Race 2

Post: 1:06 PM ET; $77k Maiden Special Weight going 6 furlongs on turf; Entries: 15

• #1 KARA PARA (6-1) should improve off the first start and is the top pick. She has to be respected going out for the combination of Rice and Prat.
• #4 HIGHWAY HARMONY (3-1) has the pedigree to be a major player in this spot. This one should be part of the early pace in this spot.
• #12 SHOWEMYOURHEELS (5-2) appears to be a major player in this race. A repeat of the debut performance would put her right in the mix to get the job done here.
• #11 LUNA'S SONG (8-1) is a great price and could take a huge step forward off of the first start.

Selections: 1 – 4 – 12- 11

Belmont at the Big A- Race 3

Post: 1:42 PM ET; $65k Starter Allowance going 6 furlongs on dirt; Entries: 6

• #5 DAME CINCO (4-1) looks best here. She has races good enough to beat this group. This one has proven to be able to handle these conditions in previous starts.
• #1 SISTER SUPREAM (3-1) should be competitive in this spot. She makes sense on speed figures.
• #6 MOMMASGOTTARUN (9-5) could be in with a shot in this race. She could be a dangerous threat to get loose on the front end.
• #3 CUPIDS GIRL (5-1) has been really solid in recent starts and should be ready to run a big one here.

Selections: 5 – 1 – 6 – 3

Belmont at the Big A- Race 4

Post: 2:12 PM ET; $41k Claiming going 1 1/16 miles on turf; Entries: 16

• #13 CONTROL FUNCTION (2-1) gets the top selection. She has races good enough to beat this group.
• #10 PRINCESS BLAKELY (7-2) should be sitting in the second tier of runners and looking to make one well timed run at the leaders.
• #3 COMMAND POINT (6-1) looks to be the class of the field. This one will be rolling late and has a good closing kick that could get the job done here.
• #4 SALS DREAM GIRL (6-1) isn't without hope. She runs evenly and looks to get a very fair pace scenario here.

Selections: 13- 10- 3 – 4

Belmont at the Big A- Race 5

Post: 2:44 PM ET; $28k Claiming going 1 mile on dirt; Entries: 7

• #7 MAJESTIC TIGER (3-1) is the top pick. He has run fast enough numbers to get the job done here.
• #3 FORESTWOOD LANE (4-1) appears to be a major player in this race. This one has the top overall power rating in the group.
• #5 FOREVER WICKED (10-1) is a price horse and will be rolling late and has a good closing kick that could get the job done here.
• #4 JADE'S DREAM (5-2) shouldn't have trouble with the 1 mile distance. This one has the top overall power rating in the group.

Selections: 7 – 3 – 5 – 4

Belmont at the Big A- Race 6

Post: 3:16 PM ET; $65k Starter Allowance going 6 furlongs on turf; Entries: 14

• #12 MONTATHAM (10-1) is a price horse and makes a ton of sense on speed figures.
• #7 NAPA SPIRIT (6-1) has races good enough to beat this group. This one has the top overall power rating in the group.
• #4 UNCLE GEORGE (10-1) is well drawn and seems to fit well enough here.
• #13 KING MOONRACER (12-1) has proven to be able to handle these conditions in previous starts. This one projects to sit mid pack and come with one run.

Selections: 12- 7 – 4 – 13

Belmont at the Big A- Race 7

Post: 3:50 PM ET; $85k Allowance going 1 1/16 miles on turf; Entries: 13

• #6 CITIZEN K (3-1) gets the top selection and gets Ortiz in the irons. This one runs evenly and looks to get a very fair pace scenario here.
• #12 MARINARA SAUCED (7-2) appears to be a major player in this race. He has been really solid in recent starts and should be ready to run a big one here.
• #3 BATTLE SCARS (5-1) feels like a fringe contender in this spot. He seems to fit well enough here.
• #7 BREADMAN (12-1) is a price horse and isn't without hope. He will likely be in the first flight of runners and should be in with a chance late. The recent company elevates this one.

Selections: 6 – 12- 3 – 7

Belmont at the Big A- Race 8

Post: 4:22 PM ET; $110k Allowance Optional Claiming going 6 1/2 furlongs on dirt; Entries: 7

• #4 MOSIENKO (2-1) is the top pick. She looks to be the class of the field. This one has solid early pace figures in a race that looks to lack a ton of front running speed.
• #6 MOVIE MOXY (5-1) seems to fit well enough here. This one will likely be in the first flight of runners and should be in with a chance late.
• #7 PATTY H (6-1) will likely be out on or near the lead and will look to hold off the charge to the wire.
• #5 SECRET LOVE (9-2) shouldn't have trouble with the 6 1/2 furlong distance.

Selections: 4 – 6 – 7 – 5

Belmont at the Big A- Race 9

Post: 4:54 PM ET; $45k Maiden Claiming going 1 1/16 miles on turf; Entries: 16

• #7 MR. CONNECTICUT (2-1) looks best here. He seems to fit very well enough here. This one has the pedigree to be a major player in this spot.
• #16 CENTRAL PRIDE (9-5) will need a lot of help to draw in and will have to navigate a wide trip. He should be part of the early pace in this spot.
• #10 ABLETON (8-1) has proven to be able to handle these conditions in previous starts.
• #11 TOGA DANCER (12-1) classes up against these.

Selections: 7 – 16- 10- 11

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.