Belmont at Saratoga Picks: Thursday Card Analysis

The racing action from Belmont at Saratoga on Thursday features the Belmont Gold Cup Stakes. The racing action kicks off a weekend of racing that will feature the third leg of the Triple Crown, the Belmont Stakes. The race is being run this year at Saratoga due to ongoing construction at Belmont Park. Check out our Belmont at Saratoga picks for the entire Thursday card!

Full Card Analysis

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Belmont at Saratoga Picks – Race 1

Post Time: 12:50 PM ET; Maiden Claiming $47k; 1 1/16 M Turf; Field of 16 runners.

• #15 CONNIVING (6-1): Top pick. Comes in with solid form.
• #1 HOURS IN A DAY (8-1): Fringe Contender. Seems to be up against the right competition.
• #14 BOLT D’PLATA (4-1): Worth a look. Potentially ready to hit a top number.
• #16 BRITISH SEA (7-2): Underneath. Expect this one to be able to carry the distance.

Selections: 15 – 1 – 14 – 16

Belmont at Saratoga Picks – Race 2

Post Time: 1:22 PM ET; Tremont Stakes $150k; 5 1/2 F Dirt; Field of 8 runners.

• #7 TOUCHY (2-1): Top pick. Proven competitor at this configuration.
• #5 THREE ECHOES (5-2): Major Player. May be able to take advantage of the pace. Demonstrated success under similar conditions.
• #8 CLASSIC OF COURSE (7-2): Major Player. Should find today’s group a bit softer than the last race. Should sit a good trip.
• #6 SHOOT THE NICKEL (15-1): Contender. Race conditions fit this one well.

Selections: 7 – 5 – 8 – 6

Belmont at Saratoga Picks – Race 3

Post Time: 1:55 PM ET; Allowance $90k; 7 F Dirt; Field of 9 runners.

• #2 CALDO CANDY (3-1): Best bet of the card. Stamina to outlast the competition. Race sets up perfectly. Bet today’s best bet with industry leading rebates on BetOnline.
• #5 SILVER SATIN (5-2): Contender. Looks to get a bit easier group here.
• #3 BRICK AMBUSH (9-2): Worth a look. Previous success in similar race types.
• #7 LAND D’ORO (4-1): Fringe Contender. Ran at this level last out. Race conditions fit this one well.

Selections: 2 – 5 – 3 – 7

Belmont at Saratoga Picks – Race 4

Post Time: 2:28 PM ET; Jersey Girl Stakes $150k; 6 F Dirt; Field of 8 runners.

• #2 ROMAN GRACE (5-1): Longshot play of the day. Should still have something in the tank late. Races competitive with the top contenders. Bet today’s live longshot on BetOnline.
• #5 ALMOSTGONE ROCKET (6-5): Major Player. Demonstrated success under similar conditions. Seems to be up against the right competition.
• #4 MANAMA GOLD (6-1): Contender. Previous success in similar race types.
• #8 GRAY LIGHTNING (7-2): Contender. Ran at this level last out. Race shape gives this one an edge.

Selections: 2 – 5 – 4 – 8

Belmont at Saratoga Picks – Race 5

Post Time: 3:01 PM ET; Maiden Special Weight $85k; 5 1/2 F Turf; Field of 11 runners.

• #1 STRICTLY TABOO (3-1): Top pick. Solid closing kick. Stamina to outlast the competition.
• #11 CERRETTA (6-1): Major Player. Should take a liking to the race shape. Seems to be up against the right competition.
• #10 ARIANA RYE (6-1): Contender. Has experience at this level.
• #9 HEART OF THE NIGHT (5-1): Contender. Should still have enough if the reserves if there in the final furlong.

Selections: 1 – 11 – 10 – 9

Belmont at Saratoga Picks – Race 6

Post Time: 3:35 PM ET; Maiden Special Weight $100k; 7 F Dirt; Field of 10 runners.

• #5 SHE’S WICKED SMART (4-1): Top pick. Looks good based on the 76 speed rating which is among the top in the group. Race sets up perfectly.
• #9 NEAT TRICK (5-1): Major Player. May be able to take advantage of the pace. Looks to get a bit easier group here.
• #4 REFUSE TO LOSE (8-1): Major Player. Should step forward from the first start. Previous success in similar race types.
• #1A AUDACIOUS (6-5): Contender. Race conditions fit this one well.

Selections: 5 – 9 – 4 – 1A

Belmont at Saratoga Picks – Race 7

Post Time: 4:09 PM ET; Allowance $110k; 1 M Dirt; Field of 10 runners.

• #7 WAYS AND MEANS (2-5): Top pick. Strong early pace figs. Should be able to work out a trip.
• #6 BRODERIE (10-1): Major Player. Expected to maintain its energy reserves into the final stretch. Good race flow for this runner.
• #2 BON ADIEU (20-1): Worth a look. Previous success in similar race types.
• #3 STRIKER HAS DIAL (15-1): Fringe Contender. May be getting a weaker field than last out.

Selections: 7 – 6 – 2 – 3

Belmont at Saratoga Picks – Race 8

Post Time: 4:43 PM ET; Maiden Special Weight $85k; 1 1/16 M Turf; Field of 16 runners.

• #16 IRON MAN IRA (7-5): Top pick. Proven competitor at this configuration.
• #6 FILM ACADEMY (7-2): Major Player. Should still be running strong in the closing stages. Good race flow for this runner.
• #9 MISSION HILL (4-1): Worth a look. Potential to have this pace fall just right.
• #7 ALL GOOD HERE (3-1): Fringe Contender. Potential to get the pace of the race flow.

Selections: 16 – 6 – 9 – 7

Belmont at Saratoga Picks – Race 9

Post Time: 5:17 PM ET; Astoria Stakes $150k; 5 1/2 F Dirt; Field of 9 runners.

• #8 THE QUEENS M G (6-1): Top pick. Favorable class relief in this spot. Should still have something in the tank late.
• #3 FRENCH HORN (7-2): Major Player. Demonstrated success under similar conditions.
• #9 LONG NECK PAULA (2-1): Major Player. Should sit a good trip. Previous success in similar race types.
• #2 AORAKI (5-1): Contender. May be getting a weaker field than last out. Speed figs are a bit slow, but not completely hopeless against the top of the field.

Selections: 8 – 3 – 9 – 2

Belmont at Saratoga Picks – Race 10

Post Time: 5:50 PM ET; Belmont Gold Cup Stakes $250k; 2 M Turf; Field of 14 runners.

• #10 PIONEERING SPIRIT (10-1): Top pick. Stamina to outlast the competition.
• #1 LIMITED LIABILITY (8-1): Major Player. Seems to be up against the right competition. Should take a liking to the race shape.
• #5 STARTING OVER (9-2): Contender. Has experience at this level. Previous success in similar race types.
• #9 SIX MINUS (15-1): Fringe Contender. Ran at this level last out.

Selections: 10 – 1 – 5 – 9

Betting News Horse Racing Coverage

Don’t miss all of the horse racing action covered by Betting News each and every week. Coverage includes free handicapping tools, comprehensive guides, and in-depth analysis of the week’s biggest cards. Check out our full card analysis for this week’s upcoming big races:

Thursday

• Belmont at Saratoga picks featuring the Grade 2 Belmont Gold Cup

Friday

• Belmont at Saratoga picks featuring the Grade 1 Acorn Stakes

Saturday

• Belmont at Saratoga picks featuring the Grade 1 Belmont Stakes

Sunday

• Belmont at Saratoga picks featuring the Grade 1 Beverly Steinman
• Churchill Downs picks featuring the Grade 3 Matt Winn