Belmont at the Big A Picks: Athenia Stakes (09/14/2025)

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

Be sure to check out all the races and odds provided at the best horse racing betting sites.

Belmont at the Big A Full Card Analysis

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Belmont at the Big A Picks – Race 1

Post Time: 1:10 PM ET; Maiden Optional Claiming $70k; 1 1/16 M Turf; Field of 9 runners.

• #5 MY BLUE LINE (7-2): Top pick. Barn has been solid. Proven competitor at this configuration.
• #7 AMERICAN MINK (6-1): Major Player. Demonstrated success under similar conditions. Trainer is having a great meet.
• #1 MISS CALL (5-1): Contender. Potential to have this pace fall just right. Previous success in similar race types.
• #6 TWO BY TWO BY TWO (9-2): Contender. Shouldn't be disadvantaged by the flow of the race. Trainer's horses have been running.

Selections: 5 – 7 – 1 – 6

The Plays

Win: #5 at 3-1

Exacta: 5/ 7,1

Belmont at the Big A Picks – Race 2

Post Time: 1:37 PM ET; Maiden Special Weight $80k; 6 F Turf; Field of 10 runners.

• #9 HOT CURRENCY (8-5): Best bet of the card. Should still have something in the tank late. Races that could beat these. Bet today's best bet with industry-leading rebates on BetOnline.
• #4 DANCINGWITHDESTINY (6-1): Major Player. Stamina to be in the mix late. Should take a liking to the race shape.
• #3 FANCY LIGHTS (3-1): Major Player. Barn has been sending out runners. Previous success in similar race types.
• #5 ATENEA (7-2): Contender. Race conditions fit this one well. Trainer's horses have been running.

Selections: 9 – 4 – 3 – 5

The Plays

Win: #9 at 1-1

Exacta: 9/ 4,3

Pick 3 (races 2-4):  #9 with #6,4 with #5,8,4

Belmont at the Big A Picks – Race 3

Post Time: 2:05 PM ET; Maiden Claiming $35k; 6 1/2 F Dirt; Field of 6 runners.

• #6 FREEDOM MAKER (5-2): Top pick. Could be ready for a top effort. Top connections on the circuit with Carmouche and Rice.
• #4 LEADING ROLE (2-1): Major Player. Running well of late. Demonstrated success under similar conditions.
• #3 GREY ACE (4-1): Contender. May be able find the right setup.
• #1 REMEMBER THE CHIEF (15-1): Fringe Contender. Should still have enough if the reserves if there in the final furlong.

Selections: 6 – 4 – 3 – 1

The Plays

Win: #6 at 8-5

Exacta Box: 6,4

Belmont at the Big A Picks – Race 4

Post Time: 2:35 PM ET; Athenia Stakes $150k; 1 1/8 M Turf; Field of 11 runners.

• #5 MOONAGE DAYDREAM (5-2): Top pick. Love the heart this one shows in a fight. Races competitive with the top contenders.
• #8 AWESOME CZECH (4-1): Major Player. Comes home strong.
• #4 WHISKEY DECISION (2-1): Major Player. Hard to argue with the recent races.
• #3 SPINNING COLORS (4-1): Contender. Shouldn't be disadvantaged by the flow of the race. Fast enough on paper to compete.

Selections: 5 – 8 – 4 – 3

The Plays

Win: #5 at 5-2

Exacta Box: 5,8,4

Belmont at the Big A Picks – Race 5

Post Time: 3:05 PM ET; Allowance $81k; 6 F Turf; Field of 15 runners.

• #1 LAUNCH CONTROL (3-1): Top pick. Proven competitor at this configuration. Race may setup for this runner.
• #4 ALAN TURING (7-2): Major Player. Demonstrated success under similar conditions.
• #8 SIR KARTRITE (10-1): Contender. Should find today's group a bit softer than the last race. Previous success in similar race types.
• #13 KING PUCK (4-1): Contender. Trainer's horses have been running. May be getting a weaker field than last out.

Selections: 1 – 4 – 8 – 13

The Plays

Win: #1 at 5-2

Exacta: 1/ 4,13

Belmont at the Big A Picks – Race 6

Post Time: 3:37 PM ET; Maiden Optional Claiming $70k; 6 F Dirt; Field of 6 runners.

• #3 BOD BEACH (5-2): Top pick. Stamina to outlast the competition. Proven competitor at this configuration.
• #4 ESCAPE HALL (8-5): Major Player. Velazquez puts this one in with a chance. Stamina to be in the mix late.
• #1 CAPANAPARO (3-1): Fringe Contender. Could wear these ones down late. Previous success in similar race types.
• #6 FORT GRIFFIN (6-1): Fringe Contender. Trainer's horses have been running. May be getting a weaker field than last out.

Selections: 3 – 4 – 1 – 6

The Plays

Win: #3 at 3-2

Exacta Box: 3,4

Belmont at the Big A Picks – Race 7

Post Time: 4:09 PM ET; Claiming $45k; 1 1/16 M Turf; Field of 11 runners.

• #6 ISLAND FOX (10-1): Longshot play of the day. Barn has been solid. Bet today's live longshot on MyBookie.
• #4 DANCIN JANE (4-1): Major Player. May be able to take advantage of the pace. Davis and Rice team up on this one.
• #3 SILENT MELODY (7-2): Major Player. Barn has been sending out runners. The 80 speed rating is among the best in the field.
• #8 BRYANT AND COOPER (3-1): Major Player. Could be ready to hit a peak performance. May be getting a weaker field than last out.

Selections: 6 – 4 – 3 – 8

The Plays

Win: #6 at 5-1

Trifecta: 6/ 4,8/ 3,4,8

Belmont at the Big A Picks – Race 8

Post Time: 4:42 PM ET; Claiming $58k; 6 1/2 F Dirt; Field of 7 runners.

• #1 I'M BUZZY (7-2): Top pick. Race sets up perfectly. Looks good based on the 86 speed rating which is among the top in the group.
• #7 ALWAYS PRACTICAL (4-1): Major Player. Looks to get a bit easier group here. Running well of late.
• #4 AMY'S LIGHT (10-1): Major Player. Has experience at this level. Has been running well enough recently.
• #5 CATCHPHRASE (9-2): Major Player. Race conditions fit this one well.

Selections: 1 – 7 – 4 – 5

The Plays

Win: #1 at 5-2

Exacta Box: 1,7,5

Belmont at the Big A Picks – Race 9

Post Time: 5:14 PM ET; Claiming $38k; 1 M Dirt; Field of 9 runners.

• #9 WHISTLER'S STYLE (7-2): Top pick. Proven competitor at this configuration. Love the heart this one shows in a fight.
• #6 ROMAN GODDESS (8-1): Major Player. Should still be running strong in the closing stages. Demonstrated success under similar conditions.
• #1 PENS STREET (4-1): Major Player. Likely to maintain its stamina reserves for a strong finish. Potential to have this pace fall just right.
• #8 DOLCE SERA (12-1): Contender. Potential to get the pace of the race flow.

Selections: 9 – 6 – 1 – 8

The Plays

Win: #9 at 3-1

Exacta: 9/ 6,1

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Saturday Analysis

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Sunday Analysis

• Belmont at the Big A Picks featuring the Athenia Stakes