Belmont at the Big A Picks: Paradise Creek Stakes (05/23/2026)

The racing action from Belmont at the Big A on Saturday features the Paradise Creek Stakes. @HandicappingT3 has all the Belmont at the Big A picks for the entire card!

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Belmont at the Big A Full Card Analysis

Belmont at the Big A Picks: Paradise Creek Stakes (05/23/2026)

Belmont at the Big A Picks – Race 1

Post Time: 1:10 PM ET; Maiden Claiming $35k; 6 F Dirt; Field of 8 runners.

• #8 CHARLIE CHARMER (9-2): Top Pick. Looks good based on the 72 speed rating which is among the top in the group. Love the heart this one shows in a fight.
• #3 LOUGH CURRANE (4-1): Major Player. Trainer is having a great meet. Like this one if a stretch duel ensues.
• #5 BOOTSY'S A RASCAL (5-2): Contender. Hard to argue with the recent races. Barn has been sending out runners.
• #4 DIXIE HEX (8-1): Contender. Speed figs are a bit slow, but not completely hopeless against the top of the field.

Selections: 8 – 3 – 5 – 4

The Plays

Win: #8 at 7-2

Exacta: 8 / 3,4

Belmont at the Big A Picks – Race 2

Post Time: 1:38 PM ET; Maiden Claiming $55k; 6 F Dirt; Field of 8 runners.

• #3 SWAGING (2-1): Top Pick. Strong early pace figs. Looks good based on the 81 speed rating which is among the top in the group.
• #2 LIFES REWARD (3-1): Major Player. Looks to get a bit easier group here. Looks fast enough off previous efforts.
• #1 CAPT FLUFF N STUFF (4-1): Contender. Should find today's group a bit softer than the last race. Speed figs match up nicely.
• #4 FEROCE (9-2): Contender. Trainer's horses have been running.

Selections: 3 – 2 – 1 – 4

The Plays

Win: #3 at 7-5

Exacta: 3 / 2,1,4

Belmont at the Big A Picks – Race 3

Post Time: 2:06 PM ET; Claiming $36k; 1 M Dirt; Field of 8 runners.

• #1 SALMING (5-2): Top Pick. Stamina to outlast the competition. Race may setup for this runner.
• #7 RED MILLER (9-2): Major Player. Should take a liking to the race shape. Looks fast enough off previous efforts.
• #3 THORSNESS (4-1): Major Player. Carmouche puts this one in with a chance. Could jump up in the figures and be dangerous.
• #8 NOGUCHI (7-2): Major Player. Shouldn't be disadvantaged by the flow of the race. May be getting a weaker field than last out.

Selections: 1 – 7 – 3 – 8

The Plays

Win: #1 at 2-1

Exacta: 1 / 7,3,8

Belmont at the Big A Picks – Race 4

Post Time: 2:36 PM ET; Maiden Claiming $48k; 6 F Turf; Field of 16 runners.

• #6 BLUE AUTHENTICITY (7-2): Prime Win Player. Proven competitor at this configuration. Top connections on the circuit with Franco and Clement.
• #12 FIVE DOZEN ROSES (3-1): Fringe Contender. Like this one if a stretch duel ensues. Comes home strong.
• #2 FAIRY GODMOTHER (6-1): Underneath. Could wear these ones down late. Barn has been sending out runners.
• #8 COCO D'ORO (6-1): Underneath. Race conditions fit this one well. Velazquez and Green team up on this one.

Selections: 6 – 12 – 2 – 8

The Plays

Win: #6 at 3-1

Exacta: 6 / 12,2,8

Belmont at the Big A Picks – Race 5

Post Time: 3:07 PM ET; Claiming $28k; 7 F Dirt; Field of 10 runners.

• #8 BABY SASSICAIA (3-1): Top Pick. Barn has been solid.
• #3 JACKIE THE JOKER (9-2): Major Player. Santana puts this one in with a chance. Good race flow for this runner.
• #10 AH CA IRA (7-2): Major Player. Hard to argue with the recent races. Barn has been sending out runners.
• #6 MY FIRST LOVE (6-1): Contender. Expect this one to be able to carry the distance.

Selections: 8 – 3 – 10 – 6

The Plays

Win: #8 at 5-2

Pick 3 (Races 5-7): #8,3 with #2 with #3,2,7

Exacta: 8 / 3,10,6

Belmont at the Big A Picks – Race 6

Post Time: 3:38 PM ET; Maiden Special Weight $85k; 1 3/8 M Turf; Field of 9 runners.

• #2 GOLD SOVEREIGN (3-1): Best Bet of the Card. Favorable class relief in this spot. Stamina to outlast the competition. Bet today's best bet with industry-leading rebates on BetOnline.
• #6 PEAK PERFORMER (5-1): Contender. Looks to get a bit easier group here. Demonstrated success under similar conditions.
• #1 ORGONITE (4-1): Underneath. Should find today's group a bit softer than the last race. Barn has been sending out runners.
• #4 CAPRICIOUS OUTCOME (8-1): Underneath. Trainer's horses have been running. May be getting a weaker field than last out.

Selections: 2 – 6 – 1 – 4

The Plays

Win: #2 at 1-1

Exacta: 2 / 6,1,4

Belmont at the Big A Picks – Race 7

Post Time: 4:09 PM ET; Paradise Creek Stakes $150k; 6 F Turf; Field of 9 runners.

• #3 INTRICATE SPIRIT (3-1): Top Pick. Comes in with solid form. Love the heart this one shows in a fight.
• #2 TRACK TIGER (9-2): Major Player. Productive recent form. Should take a liking to the race shape.
• #7 GLORIOUS BOY (10-1): Major Player. Previous success in similar race types.
• #8 TWILIGHT DELIGHT (4-1): Major Player. Trainer's horses have been running. May be getting a weaker field than last out.

Selections: 3 – 2 – 7 – 8

The Plays

Win: #3 at 5-2

Exacta: 3 / 2,7,8

Belmont at the Big A Picks – Race 8

Post Time: 4:40 PM ET; Allowance Optional Claiming $90k; 1 1/8 M Dirt; Field of 7 runners.

• #4 DREAMLIKE (7-2): Top Pick. Decent form of late. Races competitive with the top contenders.
• #7 CLASSICIST (2-1): Major Player. Looks to get a bit easier group here. Velazquez and Pletcher team up on this one.
• #3 OTELLO (10-1): Major Player. Could wear these ones down late. Previous success in similar race types.
• #2 LE GRIS (5-2): Contender. Could be ready to hit a peak performance. Shouldn't be disadvantaged by the flow of the race.

Selections: 4 – 7 – 3 – 2

The Plays

Win: #4 at 3-1

Exacta: 4 / 3,2

Belmont at the Big A Picks – Race 9

Post Time: 5:11 PM ET; Claiming $57k; 1 1/16 M Turf; Field of 15 runners.

• #6 KID CAIRO (3-1): Prime Win Player. Barn has been solid. Comes in with solid form.
• #10 FREAKY (5-1): Contender. Trainer is having a great meet.
• #11 CARC BROTHERS (7-2): Contender. Franco puts this one in with a chance. Previous success in similar race types.
• #15 EGYPTIAN (9-5): Contender. Likely to win the battle if challenged in the stretch. Can compete from a speed figure standpoint.

Selections: 6 – 10 – 11 – 15

The Plays

Win: #6 at 5-2

Exacta: 6 / 10,11

Belmont at the Big A Picks – Race 10

Post Time: 5:43 PM ET; Allowance Optional Claiming $88k; 6 F Turf; Field of 12 runners.

• #9 INNATE (5-1): Longshot Play of the Day. Could be ready for a top effort. Proven competitor at this configuration. Bet today's live longshot on MyBookie.
• #3 CUANDO (4-1): Major Player. Seems to be up against the right competition. Demonstrated success under similar conditions.
• #1 CYCLONITE (9-2): Major Player. Speed figs match up nicely. Previous success in similar race types.
• #8 NO EVIDENCE (9-2): Major Player. Solid turn of foot.

Selections: 9 – 3 – 1 – 8

The Plays

Win: #9 at 5-1

Trifecta: 9 / 3,1 / 3,1,8

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Betting News Horse Racing Coverage

Don't miss all 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.

Saturday Analysis

• Belmont at the Big A Picks featuring the Paradise Creek Stakes
• Churchill Downs Stakes featuring the Keertana Stakes
• Santa Anita Picks featuring the Crystal Water Stakes

Monday Analysis

• Churchill Downs Stakes featuring the Grade 3 Winning Colors Stakes
• Santa Anita Picks featuring the Grade 1 Shoemaker Mile