Aqueduct Thursday: Belmont Meet Analysis, Selections

Thursday kicks off another busy week at Aqueduct. The NYRA track continues it’s Belmont at the Big A meet running stakes races Friday through Sunday this weekend.

Belmont at the Big A- Race 1

Post: 12:35 PM ET; $77k Maiden Special Weight going 7 furlongs on dirt; Entries: 6

• #5 OCEAN'S RESERVE (1-1) gets the top selection. He goes out for the Gyarmati barn and gets Castellano in the irons. This one has been really solid in recent starts and should be ready to run a big one here.
• #6 REFUAH (4-1) looks to be the class of the field. This one has proven to be able to handle these conditions in previous starts.
• #2 OUR SON JAKE (6-1) is probably best to put underneath on most tickets. He seems to fit well enough here.
• #4 TIE BREAKER (5-1) should improve off the first start and seems to be running for the minor placings in this contest. He has to be respected going out for the combination of Abrams and Rendon.

Selections: 5 – 6 – 2 – 4

Belmont at the Big A- Race 2

Post: 1:06 PM ET; $36k Claiming going 1 mile on dirt; Entries: 6

• #1 KERIK (7-5) is the top pick. She looks to be the class of the field. This one has races good enough to beat this group.
• #3 THAT IS KEY (5-2) isn't without hope. She has to be respected going out for the combination of Englehart and Davis.
• #4 BIG AL'S GAL (8-1) has races good enough to beat this group.
• #6 GRUDGE (15-1) is a price horse who is probably best to fill out tris and supers. She shouldn't have trouble with the 1 mile distance.

Selections: 1 – 3 – 4 – 6

Belmont at the Big A- Race 3

Post: 1:42 PM ET; $110k Allowance Optional Claiming going 1 1/8 miles on turf; Entries: 6

• #4 WICKED GROOVE (4-1) looks best here. She has really consistent pace figures which should work well in a moderately paced race. This one makes sense on speed figures.
• #5 MISS DRACARYS (3-1) should be competitive in this spot. She shouldn't have trouble with the 1 1/8 mile distance.
• #6 CREATIVE CAIRO (8-1) has proven to be able to handle these conditions in previous starts. This one has races good enough to beat this group.
• #3 COMMUNITY ADJUSTED (9-2) feels like a fringe contender in this spot. She should be sitting in the second tier of runners and looking to make one well timed run at the leaders.

Selections: 4 – 5 – 6 – 3

Belmont at the Big A- Race 4

Post: 2:12 PM ET; $47k Maiden Claiming going 6 furlongs on turf; Entries: 9

• #7 STRAIGHT TIME (8-1) gets the top selection. He has races good enough to beat this group.
• #3 CHARLESTON STRONG (2-1) appears to be a major player in this race. He should be part of the early pace in this spot. This one looks to be the class of the field.
• #4 JURKOVEC (6-1) has races that would win here. This one will likely have a lot to do in the lane, but could get up with a competitive run.
• #1 STJAMES (6-1) is well bred for this spot. This one runs evenly and looks to get a very fair pace scenario here.

Selections: 7 – 3 – 4 – 1

Belmont at the Big A- Race 5

Post: 2:44 PM ET; $60k Claiming going 6 1/2 furlongs on dirt; Entries: 10

• #2 MONSHUN (9-5) is the top pick. She has really consistent pace figures which should work well in a moderately paced race. This one has to be respected going out for the combination of Handal and Davis.
• #4 TRADE SECRET (6-1) should be competitive in this spot. She runs evenly and looks to get a very reasonable pace here.
• #7 TRUE EMPRESS (10-1) is a price horse and feels like a fringe contender in this spot. She runs evenly and looks to get a very fair pace scenario here.
• #10 DAZZY (15-1) is a price horse and seems to fit well enough for the price.

Selections: 2 – 4 – 7 – 10

Belmont at the Big A- Race 6

Post: 3:16 PM ET; $90k Allowance Optional Claiming going 1 mile on turf; Entries: 12

• #2 CLASSIC LADY (3-1) looks best here. She could get the right setup in this race.
• #4 PALACE GOSSIP (10-1) has been really solid in recent starts and should be ready to run a big one here. This one shouldn't have trouble with the 1 mile distance.
• #8 MY LIPS ARE SEALED (6-1) comes into the race in really good form.
• #1 GOLDEN ROCKET (10-1) is a price horse and makes sense on speed figures. This one may benefit from a hot pace up front.

Selections: 2 – 4 – 8 – 1

Belmont at the Big A- Race 7

Post: 3:50 PM ET; $105k Allowance going 6 furlongs on dirt; Entries: 6

• #1 SNICKET (3-1) gets the top selection. She has the top overall power rating in the group. This one has been really solid in recent starts and should be ready to run a big one here.
• #2 BABA (9-5) comes into the race in really good form. This one looks to be the class of the field.
• #4 TO A T (5-2) should be competitive in this spot. She seems to fit well enough here. This one has been in solid form of late and should be ready to run a big one.
• #3 CHASING CARA (10-1) isn't without hope. She goes out for the Friedman barn and gets Davis in the irons. This one classes up well enough.

Selections: 1 – 2 – 4 – 3

Belmont at the Big A- Race 8

Post: 4:22 PM ET; $41k Claiming going 6 furlongs on turf; Entries: 10

• #6 EDDIE THE GREAT (6-1) is the top pick. He has the top overall power rating in the group. This one runs evenly and looks to get a very fair pace scenario here.
• #1 MASETA (4-1) seems to fit well enough here on speed and class.
• #3 GOLQUIST (7-2) feels like a fringe contender in this spot. He shouldn't have trouble with the 6 furlong distance.
• #4 HE'S GOT IT (5-1) has proven to be able to handle these conditions in previous starts.

Selections: 6 – 1 – 3 – 4

Belmont at the Big A- Race 9

Post: 4:54 PM ET; $65k Starter Allowance going 1 1/16 miles on turf; Entries: 15

• #9 MAYBE LATER (8-1) looks best here. She could get the right pace setup in this race.
• #7 STELLA MARS (6-1) appears to be a major player in this race. She may benefit from a hot pace up front. This one has races good enough to beat this group.
• #3 DREAMFUL (2-1) has the top overall power rating in the group.
• #5 ANADOR (6-1) should be competitive in this spot. She will likely be in the first flight of runners and should be in with a chance late.

Selections: 9 – 7 – 3 – 5

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.