Belmont at the Big A: Saturday, September 16, Analysis, Selections

Belmont at the Big A continues Saturday. The feature is the Jockey Club Oaks Invitational. The race will be run over a route of ground on the grass.

NYRA Fall Turf

Although not always a match for their European counterparts, the New York turf runners are perennially the top grass runners in the country.

Belmont at the Big A Turf

As the seasons change it can be harder to maintain the turf course, but the New York Racing Association will continue to run crucial divisional races through the end of the fall meet.

Aqueduct Turf

Even as the story books close on the Belmont meet, the Aqueduct meet will continue to feature turf racing as long as the weather will permit. This means the last turf race in New York is usually right around early to mid November.

Where do the horses go?

Once the tracks close for the season many of the horses will step away from racing for what is commonly referred to as a freshening. During this period of time horses will return to farms and live in the pastures. This is similar to an offseason for a professional athlete.

Other horses will continue to find turf to run on. New York horses looking to run through the cold winter months will often seek refuge at Florida tracks Gulfstream Park and Tampa Bay Downs.

Full Card Analysis

Belmont at the Big A- Race 1

Start Time: 1:05 PM ET; $90k Maiden Special Weight, 6 1/2 f on dirt; Field: 7

• #6 HURRICANE NELSON (2-1) demonstrates promise after the initial outing and earns our top spot. He should handle the distance with ease and possesses races strong enough to outperform this field.
• #7 PRIVATE DESIRE (4-1) exhibited improvement in the inaugural race and shouldn't be underestimated. Well-bred for this event, there's potential here.
• #3 COMMANDER OF TRUTH (7-2) makes his debut with formidable connections, Brown and Ortiz, making him a solid choice to include underneath on most tickets.
• #5 BOUNTEOUS (8-1) also makes his debut and could be a dark horse. Trained by Mott and ridden by Lezcano, he's worth considering as well.

Selections: 6 – 7 – 3 – 5

Belmont at the Big A- Race 2

Start Time: 1:36 PM ET; $100k Allowance, 6 f on dirt; Field: 7

• #7 OCEAN'S RESERVE (8-5) stands as the class of the field and leads our picks.
• #2 SUGAR GRAY LEONARD (7-2) possesses a competitive edge and could make a late challenge from the first flight.
• #6 VICTORIOUS WAVE (9-5) appears as a fringe contender but has displayed adaptability in similar conditions and maintains consistent pace figures, which is advantageous in a moderately paced race.
• #4 CAPONE (6-1) is a hopeful choice trained by Dutrow and ridden by Franco.

Selections: 7 – 2 – 6 – 4

Belmont at the Big A- Race 3

Start Time: 2:09 PM ET; $90k Maiden Special Weight, 1 1/16 m on turf; Field: 8

• #1 WAR PRINCESS (9-2) leads this field and may benefit from a strong early pace.
• #2 AKAYLA (7-2) should compete well, backed by speed figures. Expect a strong late surge.
• #5 VANISHED (4-1) is a viable contender with solid speed figures.
• #4 AFRICAN WATERS (6-1) debuts with potential, trained by Mcgaughey and ridden by Lezcano.

Selections: 1 – 2 – 5 – 4

Belmont at the Big A- Race 4

Start Time: 2:38 PM ET; $48k Claiming, 6 1/2 f on dirt; Field: 9

• #7 FLAMINGO HAWK (9-2) claims top honors, supported by the partnership of Rice and Lezcano.
• #4 NEVER EARLY (10-1) is an appealing longshot, proven in similar conditions.
• #6 BUSTIN SHOUT (7-2) appears competitive and could challenge late with a strong early position.
• #1 PRINCE JAMES (2-1) deserves respect based on speed figures.

Selections: 7 – 4 – 6 – 1

Belmont at the Big A- Race 5

Start Time: 3:10 PM ET; $100k Allowance, 1 3/8 m on turf; Field: 9

• #2 CATCH THAT PARTY (9-2) is the class selection.
• #6 RAMBLIN' WRECK (2-1) is a formidable contender who may benefit from a brisk pace.
• #3 ROYAL SPIRIT (5-1) consistently performs well and is ready for a significant performance.
• #7 SCRAMBLE (4-1) is a live candidate based on speed figures.

Selections: 2 – 6 – 3 – 7

Belmont at the Big A- Race 6

Start Time: 3:42 PM ET; $90k Maiden Special Weight, 6 f on turf; Field: 10

• #7 EVER SO SWEET (9-5) displays potential after her first start and is our top choice. She's trained by Cox and ridden by Carmouche.
• #8 MAYFLY (6-1) could surprise and lead from the front. Trained by Clement and ridden by Lezcano, she's worth including on tickets.
• #1 VILLI OLENTO (15-1) is a price horse with early pace. In a field lacking front-runners, she could steal a minor placing.
• #10 PROGENY (8-1) should improve and might contend for a minor placing as well.

Selections: 7 – 8 – 1 – 10

Belmont at the Big A- Race 7

Start Time: 4:14 PM ET; $65k Starter Allowance, 1 m on dirt; Field: 8

• #1 THUNDERIAN (6-1) claims the top selection with competitive races.
• #6 RIDE UP (5-2) is a strong contender with previous success in similar conditions.
• #7 KUNSHAN BRIDGE (7-2) is supported by speed figures and strong connections, Rice and Ortiz.
• #8 AMERICAN LAW (8-1) is another viable contender and appears to be the class of the field.

Selections: 1 – 6 – 7 – 8

Belmont at the Big A- Race 8

Start Time: 4:49 PM ET; $102k Allowance Optional Claiming, 6 1/2 f on dirt; Field: 11

• #10 KING ANGELO (9-2) leads our selections with recent solid performances.
• #6 VITTORIO (3-1) should compete well, supported by the partnership of Mott and Ortiz.
• #1A DURANTE (5-2) is a fringe contender with consistent pace figures.
• #8 SHIVAREE (12-1) is a longshot with potential for a competitive run.

Selections: 10 – 6 – 1A – 8

Belmont at the Big A- Race 9

Start Time: 5:21 PM ET; $350k Fasig-Tipton Jockey Club Oaks Invitational S., 1 3/8 m on turf; Field: 7

• #1 LAST CALL (7-2) is our top choice with consistent pace figures.
• #5 HIGHLAND GRACE (5-1) should be competitive and arrives in excellent form.
• #3 NEECIE MARIE (12-1) is a price horse with tactical speed.
• #2 QUARREL (8-1) is a solid contender and has been consistent in recent races.

Selections: 1 – 5 – 3 – 2

Belmont at the Big A- Race 10

Start Time: 5:53 PM ET; $90k Maiden Special Weight, 6 f on turf; Field: 11

• #6 INTO STARS (5-2) is our top choice, expected to improve after her first start.
• #11 VALUE AREA (2-1) is another strong contender with the potential to set the early pace.
• #7 NADOWESSI (3-1) could contend and has shown ability in previous outings.
• #10 BEETS (12-1) is a price horse with minor placing potential, trained by Mott and ridden by Lezcano.

Selections: 6 – 11 – 7 – 10

Betting News Horse Racing Coverage

Betting News provides AI generated handicapping tools for all of the major tracks around the country each and every day, including Churchill Downs which reopens on Thursday.

In addition, Betting News will continue to provide in depth analysis of select cards throughout the week. This week's analysis will feature the cards listed below.

Saturday

• Belmont at the Big A featuring the Grade 3 Turf Jockey Club Oaks
• Churchill Downs featuring the Grade 3 Iroquois, Grade 3 Locust Grove, and Grade 3 Pocahontas
• Woodbine featuring the Grade 1 Natalma, Grade 1 Woodbine Mile, Grade 1 Summer Stakes, and Grade 3 Vigil stakes. The three grade 1 races are all "Win and You're in" races for the Breeders' Cup.

Sunday

• Woodbine featuring the Grade 3 Seaway Stakes.

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