Bertram F. Bongard Kicks Off Belmont at the Big A Racing

The racing week from Aqueduct begins Thursday. The card features the Bertram F. Bongard with a vulnerable 4-5 favorite in a 2nd time starter for Linda Rice.

Belmont at the Big A- Race 1

Post: 1:00 PM ET; $95k Maiden Special Weight going 6 furlongs on dirt; Entries: 6

• #1 FIREWOLVES (2-1) gets the top selection and runs evenly and looks to get a very fair pace scenario here. This one should be sitting in the second tier of runners and looking to make one well timed run at the leaders.
• #2 ALESSIA (5-2) has races good enough to beat this group. This one has tactical speed and can sit just off the leaders for a stalk and pounce trip.
• #6 FUNNY HOW (7-2) has proven to be able to handle these conditions in previous starts.
• #3 KITTEN'S APPEAL (12-1) is a price horse and isn't without hope. This one makes sense on speed figures.

Selections: 1 – 2 – 6 – 3

Belmont at the Big A- Race 2

Post: 1:30 PM ET; $95k Maiden Special Weight going 6 furlongs on turf; Entries: 8

• #6 ROCKET'S RED GLARE (6-5) has races good enough to beat this group. This one will be rolling late and has a good closing kick that could get the job done here.
• #7 JAVA BUZZ (5-2) looks to be the class of the field. This one has been really solid in recent starts and should be ready to run a big one here.
• #3 SMOKE AND HEAT (3-1) will likely have a lot to do in the lane, but could get up with a competitive run.
• #2 CHUCKA MOON (8-1) is probably best to put underneath on most tickets and makes sense on speed figures.

Selections: 6 – 7 – 3 – 2

Belmont at the Big A- Race 3

Post: 2:02 PM ET; $125k Bertram F. Bongard S. going 7 furlongs on dirt; Entries: 5

• #3 DONEGAL SURGES (7-5) gets the top selection and could be a dangerous threat to get loose on the front end. The dirt has been kind enough to speed thus far in the meet.
• #2 BLAME IT ON DADDY (6-1) has solid early pace figures in a race that looks to lack a ton of front running speed.
• #4 ARCTIC ARROGANCE (4-5) should improve off the first start. Linda Rice tends to move them forward at 2nd asking and the fact that this one jumps right into stakes company is certainly a sign of confidence.
• #5 JACKSON HEIGHTS (15-1) seems to fit well enough here.

Selections: 3 – 2 – 4 – 5

Belmont at the Big A- Race 4

Post: 2:31 PM ET; $60k Claiming going 6 1/2 furlongs on dirt; Entries: 10

• #7 U GUYS ARE NO FUN (9-2) has been really solid in recent starts and should be ready to run a big one here.
• #3 BIG Q (6-1) has tactical speed and can sit just off the leaders for a stalk and pounce trip. This one makes sense on speed figures.
• #1A MIA BEA STAR (8-1) isn't without hope and has races good enough to beat this group.
• #4 DAILY BRIEFING (10-1) is a price horse that makes sense on speed figures. This one may sit the right trip.

Selections: 7 – 3 – 1A- 4

Belmont at the Big A- Race 5

Post: 3:03 PM ET; $77k Maiden Special Weight going 6 furlongs on dirt; Entries: 10

• #5 CANARSIE (4-1) debuts here and gets the top selection and has to be respected going out for the combination of Pletcher and Ortiz.
• #6 NOBILIS (2-1) should improve off the first start and ran a productive first effort. A small improvement could do it here.
• #9 TATER AND TOT (20-1) is sent out by the Englehart barn and worth a look at a price.
• #3 WANNA WINNA (10-1) gets Joel Rosario aboard.

Selections: 5 – 6 – 9 – 3

Belmont at the Big A- Race 6

Post: 3:35 PM ET; $115k Allowance Optional Claiming going 6 furlongs on turf; Entries: 8

• #4 KEPT WAITING (6-1) gets the top selection and looks to be the class of the field. This one has proven to be able to handle these conditions in previous starts.
• #5 HIT THE WOAH (3-1) has been really solid in recent starts and should be ready to run a big one here. This one goes out for the Clement barn and gets Rosario in the irons.
• #2 KEEPER OF TIME (6-1) should be sitting in the second tier of runners and looking to make one well timed run at the leaders.
• #6 ASSERTIVE STYLE (9-2) will be rolling late and has a good closing kick that could get the job done here.

Selections: 4 – 5 – 2 – 6

Belmont at the Big A- Race 7

Post: 4:09 PM ET; $115k Allowance Optional Claiming going 1 mile on turf; Entries: 9

• #6 GOOD GOVERNANCE (3-1) gets the top selection and has solid early pace figures in a race that looks to lack a ton of front running speed.
• #7 FLOP SHOT (4-1) 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.
• #1 BIG EVEREST (7-2) classes up well with his foes in this spot.
• #5 THERAPIST (5-1) should be competitive in this spot and has the top overall power rating in the group. He may need a little help up front and it feels like this one may be a touch on the slow side.

Selections: 6 – 7 – 1 – 5

Belmont at the Big A- Race 8

Post: 4:41 PM ET; $105k Allowance going 1 1/8 miles on dirt; Entries: 9

• #3 GOLDEN ALCHEMIST (5-2) gets the top selection. This one could get the right setup in this race.
• #5 GASOLINE (7-2) has races good enough to beat this group.
• #6 UP TO THE MARK (3-1) has been really solid in recent starts and should be ready to run a big one here.
• #1 FROMANOTHAMUTHA (20-1) is a price horse and makes sense on speed figures.

Selections: 3 – 5 – 6 – 1

Belmont at the Big A- Race 9

Post: 5:13 PM ET; $77k Maiden Special Weight going 6 furlongs on dirt; Entries: 11

• #9 DELIBERATE RISK (5-1) should improve off the first start and gets the top selection. The debut effort was very solid. Adding to the value is this horse’s front running style.
• #11 UNCLE MARTY (7-2) has proven to be able to handle these conditions in previous starts. This one goes out for the Rice barn and gets Ortiz in the irons. Linda going to the Ortiz brothers is usually a good sign.
• #2 SHADOW DRAGON (6-1) debuts here and has the pedigree to win here. Mott looks to his go to in Junior Alvarado which is a sign of confidence for a trainer whose runners often need one.
• #10 MAX FOSTER (15-1) is a price horse and could be a dangerous threat to get loose on the front end.

Selections: 9 – 11- 2 – 10

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.