Belmont Park Picks: Grade 1 Turf Classic Stakes (9/26/2026)
Written by: Chris Adams
Published: Sat Sep 26, 2026, 7:00 am ET
Read Time: 8 minutes
horses
Belmont Park picks are here for a 11-race card topped by the Grade 1 Turf Classic Stakes. Below you will find full Belmont Park picks and analysis for every race on the September 26, 2026 program, including a best bet, a live longshot and suggested wagers for each event.
Be sure to check out all the races and odds provided at the best horse racing betting sites. Use promo code BNBOL55 at signup to get a 55% first deposit match when you bet with BetOnline!
Belmont Park Full Card Analysis
Belmont Park Picks: Grade 1 Turf Classic Stakes (9/26/2026)
Belmont Park Picks – Race 1
Post Time: 12:05 PM ET; Maiden Special Weight $100k; 6 F Dirt; Field of 7 runners.
- #7 FOOLIN (7-2): Major Player. Distance change should suit. Consistently runs above the level it faces.
- #2 DONEGAL LUSTER (5-2): Major Player. The work tab reads like a horse ready to run, not one being educated. Top connections on the circuit with Velazquez and Pletcher.
- #4 SPAHI (8-1): Contender. Has been drilling steadily into the debut. Beckman and Zayas team up, and that combination wins its share.
- #3 HORIZONTAL RAIN (7-2): Contender. Serious work pattern behind this first start. The morning line of works shows a horse wound up for the opener.
Selections: 7 – 2 – 4 – 3
The Plays
Win: #7 at 5-2
Trifecta: 7,2 / 7,2,4,3 / 7,2,4,3
Belmont Park Picks – Race 2
Post Time: 12:38 PM ET; Allowance $105k; 6 1/2 F Dirt; Field of 7 runners.
- #2 OIL CAPITAL (6-1): Major Player. Much better than the last line indicates. Strong connections with Rice sending out Santana.
- #5 MO THE MERRIER (5-1): Major Player. Improving with each start. Numbers grade out better than the raw figures suggest.
- #4 VILLAGE PERSON (8-1): Contender. Figures have climbed in three straight. Outruns the class par more often than not.
- #6 GOLDEN TORNADO (7-2): Contender. Should get loose on an uncontested lead. Figures fit comfortably at this level.
Selections: 2 – 5 – 4 – 6
The Plays
Win: #2 at 5-2
Trifecta: 2,5 / 2,5,4,6 / 2,5,4,6
Belmont Park Picks – Race 3
Post Time: 1:11 PM ET; Maiden Claiming $50k; 1 1/16 M Turf; Field of 14 runners.
- #4 AMAZING GRACER (8-5): Best Bet of the Card. Proven competitor at this configuration. May be able to take advantage of the pace. Bet today's best bet with industry-leading rebates on BetOnline.
- #10 ADROIT (20-1): Major Player. Meaningful class relief today. The 7 speed rating is among the top in the group.
- #8 WHATTA WEEKEND (5-1): Contender. Ran at this level last out. Duggan has the barn rolling and keeps Santana aboard.
- #13 SHIV (6-1): Contender. Runs better than the bare figures indicate once class is factored in. Barn has been solid with this exact move.
Selections: 4 – 10 – 8 – 13
The Plays
Win: #4 at 8-5
Pick 3 (Races 3-5): #4 with #5,1,2 with #9,5,6
Exacta: 4 / 10,8
Belmont Park Picks – Race 4
Post Time: 1:50 PM ET; Grade 2 Gallant Bloom Stakes $250k; 6 1/2 F Dirt; Field of 6 runners.
- #5 R DISASTER (7-5): Major Player. Record over this surface and trip stands out. Has been exceeding what the level demands.
- #1 MUNNINGS EXPRESS (8-1): Major Player. Competitive in the same class recently. The Rice barn strikes at a healthy clip in this spot.
- #2 SENZA PAROLE (9-5): Contender. Clearly moving forward off the last two. Prat takes the mount for Brown, which is worth noting.
- #6 BEAUTY REIGNS (3-1): Contender. Has been facing this kind and holding its own. Speed numbers are right there with the top group.
Selections: 5 – 1 – 2 – 6
The Plays
Win: #5 at 5-2
Trifecta: 5,1 / 5,1,2,6 / 5,1,2,6
Belmont Park Picks – Race 5
Post Time: 2:24 PM ET; Maiden Special Weight $100k; 6 F Turf; Field of 11 runners.
- #9 NIGHT SKY (6-1): Longshot Play of the Day. No class question at this level. Recent form lines measure up to these. Bet today's live longshot on MyBookie.
- #5 ALL STAR LEIGH (7-2): Major Player. Could wear these ones down late. Sets up well if the front end folds.
- #6 FORECHECK (9-2): Contender. Will be running when the early speed comes back. Like this one if a stretch duel ensues.
- #2 DREAM SPELL (8-1): Contender. Enough recorded works to trust the fitness. Connections are as strong as any in the race.
Selections: 9 – 5 – 6 – 2
The Plays
Win: #9 at 7-2
Trifecta: 9,5 / 9,5,6,2 / 9,5,6,2
Belmont Park Picks – Race 6
Post Time: 2:59 PM ET; Maiden Special Weight $100k; 1 1/16 M Turf; Field of 12 runners.
- #1 HUNTER CREEK (15-1): Major Player. Belongs on class and should be in the mix. Has the numbers to be involved late.
- #8 HARMONY MILL (10-1): Major Player. Has been knocking on the door in similar spots. Quick enough to matter in the closing stages.
- #9 ATTACHMENT (9-2): Contender. A 81 is plenty fast for this spot. Form lines read well against this group.
- #2 HARPOON (12-1): Contender. Consistent enough to be a factor at this level. Numbers are competitive with anything else entered.
Selections: 1 – 8 – 9 – 2
The Plays
Win: #1 at 5-2
Trifecta: 1,8 / 1,8,9,2 / 1,8,9,2
Belmont Park Picks – Race 7
Post Time: 3:34 PM ET; Claiming $55k; 1 1/16 M Dirt; Field of 12 runners.
- #5 BOXED WINE (6-1): Major Player. Has handled this exact setup before. Best late pace figure in the field at 101.
- #11 JADORLINIJA (8-1): Major Player. Course and distance record is the strongest here.
- #4 BRUNCH WITH AMY (15-1): Contender. Bred to handle the added ground.
- #3 NYCON (7-2): Contender. Drops to a level that should suit.
Selections: 5 – 11 – 4 – 3
The Plays
Win: #5 at 5-2
Trifecta: 5,11 / 5,11,4,3 / 5,11,4,3
Belmont Park Picks – Race 8
Post Time: 4:09 PM ET; Allowance $105k; 6 F Turf; Field of 10 runners.
- #3 LIGHT FANTASTIC (9-2): Major Player. Knows the surface and the trip, which counts for plenty.
- #6 JOKER ON FIRE (3-1): Major Player. Has done its best running under these exact conditions.
- #9 FIREBALLIN (8-1): Contender. Ran at this level last out.
- #7 TRUE LEGEND (6-1): Contender. Faced tougher last time and gets relief here.
Selections: 3 – 6 – 9 – 7
The Plays
Win: #3 at 5-2
Exacta: 3 / 6,9
Belmont Park Picks – Race 9
Post Time: 4:44 PM ET; Grade 3 Vosburgh Stakes $250k; 7 F Dirt; Field of 10 runners.
- #3 SENIOR OFFICER (5-2): Major Player. Proven competitor at this configuration.
- #7 CRAZY MASON (6-1): Major Player. Figures fit comfortably at this level.
- #2 EL GRANDE O (15-1): Contender. Competitive in the same class recently.
- #4 DOC SULLIVAN (8-1): Contender. Has been facing this kind and holding its own.
Selections: 3 – 7 – 2 – 4
The Plays
Win: #3 at 5-2
Trifecta: 3,7 / 3,7,2,4 / 3,7,2,4
Belmont Park Picks – Race 10
Post Time: 5:19 PM ET; Grade 1 Turf Classic Stakes $500k; 1 1/2 M Turf; Field of 7 runners.
- #1 MINARET STATION (7-2): Major Player. On a steady upward trend.
- #4 FAR BRIDGE (5-1): Major Player. Record over this surface and trip stands out. Works suggest readiness off the layoff.
- #6 FORT GEORGE (9-2): Contender. Sharp drop in class is the story.
- #7 PROGRAM TRADING (5-1): Contender. Has handled this exact setup before.
Selections: 1 – 4 – 6 – 7
The Plays
Win: #1 at 5-2
Trifecta: 1,4 / 1,4,6,7 / 1,4,6,7
Belmont Park Picks – Race 11
Post Time: 5:54 PM ET; Grade 2 Flower Bowl Stakes $500k; 1 1/4 M Turf; Field of 11 runners.
- #4 KATHYNMARISSA (8-5): Major Player. Course and distance record is the strongest here.
- #11 CATHEDRAL (9-2): Major Player. Consistently runs above the level it faces.
- #5 STORM MIAMI (12-1): Contender. Improving with each start.
- #10 GEZORA (6-1): Contender. Knows the surface and the trip, which counts for plenty.
Selections: 4 – 11 – 5 – 10
The Plays
Win: #4 at 5-2
Trifecta: 4,11 / 4,11,5,10 / 4,11,5,10
More Horses News
Horse Betting News
Santa Anita Picks: Grade 1 Goodwood Stakes (9/26/2026)
Horse Betting News
Churchill Downs Picks: Grade 2 Lukas Classic Stakes (9/26/2026)
Horse Betting News
Belmont Park Picks: Grade 2 Beldame Stakes (9/25/2026)
Horse Betting News
Woodbine: Grade 3 Durham Cup Stakes (9/19/2026)
Betting News Horse Racing Coverage
Don't miss all the horse racing action covered by Betting News each and every week. Coverage includes free handicapping tools, comprehensive guides, and in-depth analysis of the week's biggest cards. Check out our full card analysis for this week's upcoming big races.
Friday Analysis
- Belmont Park Picks featuring the Grade 2 Beldame Stakes on Dirt
Saturday Analysis
- Belmont Park Picks featuring the Grade 1 Turf Classic Stakes on Turf
- Churchill Downs Stakes featuring the Grade 2 Lukas Classic Stakes on Dirt
- Santa Anita Picks featuring the Grade 1 Goodwood Stakes on Dirt (Breeders' Cup Win and You're In)
Sunday Analysis
- Santa Anita Picks featuring the Grade 2 Zenyatta Stakes on Dirt (Breeders' Cup Win and You're In)
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.
This site contains commercial content. We may be compensated for the links provided on this page. The content on this page is for informational purposes only. Betting News makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the information given or the outcome of any game or event.