Belmont Park Picks: Grade 1 Champagne Stakes (10/3/2026)
Written by: Chris Adams
Last Update: Sat Oct 03, 2026, 7:00 am ET
Read Time: 8 minutes
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Belmont Park picks are here for a 11-race card topped by the Grade 1 Champagne Stakes. We've got picks and analysis for every race on the Saturday card from the newly renovated Belmont Park.
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Belmont Park Full Card Analysis
Belmont Park Picks: Grade 1 Champagne Stakes (10/3/2026)
Belmont Park Picks – Race 1
Post Time: 12:05 PM ET; Maiden Special Weight $100k; 1 1/16 M Dirt; Field of 8 runners.
- #1 MYSTRIX (9-5): Major Player. Consistently runs above the level it faces. Numbers grade out better than the raw figures suggest.
- #3 TAP OUR WAY (2-1): Major Player. Figures fit comfortably at this level. Top connections on the circuit with Prat and Brown.
- #4 ELECTION HERO (8-1): Contender. The work tab reads like a horse ready to run, not one being educated. Brown and Franco team up, and that combination wins its share.
- #8 SQUADRON (10-1): Contender. Has been drilling steadily into the debut. Serious work pattern behind this first start.
Selections: 1 – 3 – 4 – 8
The Plays
Win: #1 at 5-2
Trifecta: 1,3 / 1,3,4,8 / 1,3,4,8
Belmont Park Picks – Race 2
Post Time: 12:38 PM ET; Claiming $75k; 6 F Dirt; Field of 11 runners.
- #9 QUEEN OF PROMISE (9-2): Major Player. Owns the fastest recent figure in the field at 76. The 3.8 speed rating is among the top in the group.
- #6 SCOTTISH BRITTANY (8-1): Major Player. The morning line of works shows a horse wound up for the opener. Bred to be effective on this surface right away.
- #10 POLL POSITION (8-1): Contender. Improving with each start. Strong connections with Trombetta sending out Lopez.
- #5 BUZZER BEATER (6-1): Contender. Ran at this level last out. Speed numbers are right there with the top group.
Selections: 9 – 6 – 10 – 5
The Plays
Win: #9 at 5-2
Exacta: 9 / 6,10
Belmont Park Picks – Race 3
Post Time: 1:11 PM ET; Maiden Special Weight $100k; 6 F Turf; Field of 13 runners.
- #6 NIGHT SKY (6-1): Longshot Play of the Day. Outruns the class par more often than not. Runs better than the bare figures indicate once class is factored in. Bet today's live longshot on MyBookie.
- #4 ALL STAR LEIGH (9-2): Major Player. May be able to take advantage of the pace. Best late pace figure in the field at 85.
- #7 FORECHECK (7-2): Contender. Could wear these ones down late. Sets up well if the front end folds.
- #9 PLUM ISLAND (15-1): Contender. Enough recorded works to trust the fitness. The page says this one should handle the trip first time out.
Selections: 6 – 4 – 7 – 9
The Plays
Win: #6 at 7-2
Trifecta: 6,4 / 6,4,7,9 / 6,4,7,9
Belmont Park Picks – Race 4
Post Time: 1:44 PM ET; Maiden Special Weight $100k; 1 1/16 M Turf; Field of 12 runners.
- #12 HARBAUGH (6-1): Major Player. Figures have climbed in three straight. Has been exceeding what the level demands.
- #6 PERMANENT RECORD (2-1): Major Player. Recent form lines measure up to these. Brown has the barn rolling and keeps Prat aboard.
- #8 THIS TIME FOR SURE (6-1): Contender. Competitive in the same class recently. Has the numbers to be involved late.
- #7 MR WEBSTER (15-1): Contender. Pedigree ratings support an immediate run. The Mott barn strikes at a healthy clip in this spot.
Selections: 12 – 6 – 8 – 7
The Plays
Win: #12 at 5-2
Exacta: 12 / 6,8
Belmont Park Picks – Race 5
Post Time: 2:17 PM ET; Maiden Special Weight $100k; 6 F Dirt; Field of 13 runners.
- #4 D'MUEHL (3-1): Major Player. Has been facing this kind and holding its own. Franco takes the mount for Cox, which is worth noting.
- #1 WHITE STAR (15-1): Major Player. No class question at this level. Quick enough to matter in the closing stages.
- #7 ROAD TO PURFECTION (15-1): Contender. A 71 is plenty fast for this spot. Form lines read well against this group.
- #5 ROCK ME DOC (12-1): Contender. Family suggests precocity at this distance.
Selections: 4 – 1 – 7 – 5
The Plays
Win: #4 at 5-2
Trifecta: 4,1 / 4,1,7,5 / 4,1,7,5
Belmont Park Picks – Race 6
Post Time: 2:50 PM ET; Grade 3 Matron Stakes $200k; 6 F Turf; Field of 8 runners.
- #3 HARPER'S CORNER (4-1): Major Player. Clearly moving forward off the last two. Numbers are competitive with anything else entered.
- #2 MORE CHAMPAGNE (10-1): Major Player. Much better than the last line indicates.
- #1 BRICKYARD BELLE (2-1): Contender. Belongs on class and should be in the mix. Connections are as strong as any in the race.
- #4 ALMIGHTY ONE (15-1): Contender. Has been knocking on the door in similar spots. Barn has been solid with this exact move.
Selections: 3 – 2 – 1 – 4
The Plays
Win: #3 at 5-2
Exacta: 3 / 2,1
Belmont Park Picks – Race 7
Post Time: 3:22 PM ET; Grade 2 Miss Grillo Stakes $250k; 1 1/16 M Turf; Field of 8 runners.
- #5 BOUNCE BACK (9-2): Major Player. Meaningful class relief today. Will be running when the early speed comes back.
- #1 RUNAWAY BRIDE (5-1): Major Player. Drops to a level that should suit. Like this one if a stretch duel ensues.
- #4 FIORA (3-1): Contender. Pedigree says the surface switch is worth a try.
- #2 GOLDEN SIREN (4-1): Contender. Consistent enough to be a factor at this level.
Selections: 5 – 1 – 4 – 2
The Plays
Win: #5 at 5-2
Trifecta: 5,1 / 5,1,4,2 / 5,1,4,2
Belmont Park Picks – Race 8
Post Time: 3:53 PM ET; Grade 1 Champagne Stakes $500k; 1 M Dirt; Field of 6 runners.
- #5 U. S. S. VALOR (3-5): Best Bet of the Card. Quickest of these on recent form with a 105. Closing kick is the strongest of this group. Bet today's best bet with industry-leading rebates on BetOnline.
- #3 GAUDREAU (8-5): Major Player. Distance change should suit.
- #4 CLUB REIGN (8-1): Contender. Ran at this level last out.
- #2 RAKU (12-1): Contender. Competitive in the same class recently.
Selections: 5 – 3 – 4 – 2
The Plays
Win: #5 at 8-5
Pick 3 (Races 8-10): #5 with #7,4,1 with #9,3,4
Exacta: 5 / 3,4
Belmont Park Picks – Race 9
Post Time: 4:31 PM ET; Grade 1 Frizette Stakes $500k; 1 M Dirt; Field of 7 runners.
- #7 VELORA (7-2): Major Player. Bred to handle the added ground.
- #4 LIBBY LLOYD (8-5): Major Player. Cutting back should sharpen this one up.
- #1 REVENGE OF THE SIS (9-2): Contender. Ran into trouble last out and deserves another look. Finishes better than anything else entered.
- #2 SHE'S A TWELVE (20-1): Contender. Consistently runs above the level it faces.
Selections: 7 – 4 – 1 – 2
The Plays
Win: #7 at 5-2
Trifecta: 7,4 / 7,4,1,2 / 7,4,1,2
Belmont Park Picks – Race 10
Post Time: 5:06 PM ET; Grade 3 Futurity Stakes $200k; 6 F Turf; Field of 9 runners.
- #9 PINPOINT (9-2): Major Player. On a steady upward trend. A 89 late-pace number leads the field.
- #3 GOOD TO BE KING (5-2): Major Player. Improving with each start.
- #4 LUMINOUS BEAUTY (4-1): Contender. Figures have climbed in three straight.
- #6 UNCLE KEF (12-1): Contender. Clearly moving forward off the last two. Trainer angle here has been profitable.
Selections: 9 – 3 – 4 – 6
The Plays
Win: #9 at 5-2
Trifecta: 9,3 / 9,3,4,6 / 9,3,4,6
Belmont Park Picks – Race 11
Post Time: 5:39 PM ET; Grade 2 Pilgrim Stakes $250k; 1 1/16 M Turf; Field of 12 runners.
- #12 LET EM KNOW (8-1): Major Player. On a steady upward trend.
- #10 HIGH OFFICIAL (4-1): Major Player. Excuse for the finish position last time.
- #5 PASS ON BY (15-1): Contender. Should get loose on an uncontested lead.
- #3 KIPROS (15-1): Contender. Numbers grade out better than the raw figures suggest.
Selections: 12 – 10 – 5 – 3
The Plays
Win: #12 at 5-2
Trifecta: 12,10 / 12,10,5,3 / 12,10,5,3
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Chris first got introduced to horse racing in 2009 at Canterbury Park (Shakopee, MN). Along with handicapping and betting, Chris has worked as a teller at his local track and participated in ownership partnerships. He now enjoys sharing his passion with his wife and two young daughters who love going out to the track each and every summer.
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