Belmont Park Picks & Betting Analysis for October 14

NYRA's September-October Meet rolls on as it is the start of a new week. Today's 9-race card has a number of betting opportunities ... let's see what we can put together!

At Horseracing.net/us we have you covered, as it is a good time for some of the best that North American racing has to offer. Stay tuned! 

If you're looking for picks elsewhere around the country this Thursday be sure to check out our free Horse Racing Picks via the gold button below.

Most Likely Winner: (Race 1: So Suave #8, 9/5):

Looking for a true “deserving favorite” on this Thursday card … then take a gander at Christophe Clement’s 4-yr-old colt by Make Believe (GB). Another European import that the NYRA-based conditioner took over, he looks promising after getting his U.S. debut out of the way. That race, a high-level ALLW Co. 103k affair, was nothing to write home about. He ended up getting shuffled back … finishing 5th. That was back at the start of the Saratoga Meet in July, so some more training should have done the trick. Looking over his races over in Ireland, they were not top class, but there were some flashes of ability. Maybe the addition of Jose Lezcano is just what the Clement Barn and Bridlewood Farm, who invested in this runner, needs. He has a way with turf horses …

Wagering Recommendation: $100 Win, #8

Off-the-Pace Play of the Day: (Race 5: Prince of Pharoahs #2, 10/1):

I am out bargain shopping in the clearance section, and when you are horseplaying one of the surefire ways to get a deal is to look for a runner who is heading up the class ladder. That is what Linda Rice’s gelding is doing, as he makes the move from ALLW Co. into this OC45k state bred contest. The angle that I am looking to profit from is also based in this one’s pedigree. Offspring of American Pharoah have proven that they can handle the grass and then some. Even though this 4-yr-old has only tried it once, the time might be right to enter for some lawn bowling. I like retaining the services of Jose Ortiz, who is familiar with him, and he has the ability to ride well on the grass when the time comes around. The best news is that the price on this homebred will easily be double-digits come post time. Looks like a good surface switch to me …

Wagering Recommendation: $100 Bankroll, Graduated Wager WPS #2 ($10-W, $15-P, $75-S)

Spotlight Race of the Day: (Race 8: Turf, 1 Mile, ALLW92k, F&M 3+):

Heading to the Inner Turf at Belmont, we find ourselves in the middle of a tough ALLW Co. grass contest. Nothing easy about this one … You could simply back the M/L favorite in Chad Brown’s Golden Plume #2. Juddmonte homebreds are popular because they come from an internationally-known outfit that is held in high regard. Though this filly is bred for the turf, and gets Irad Ortiz to ride, I am not sure she is truly ready for another go at such a condition. Back at Saratoga, she did not have the extra mustard when it counted to get home. I am not saying she deserves to be tossed out from consideration, but there are some better prices to be had in this situation … that much is true. Thinking about alternatives, what about the Stuart Janney homebred, trained by Shug McGaughey—Windfall Profit #4? I like her form, despite the fact that she only has 1 win in 14 tries. I see her as way overdue, and capable of making her mark with the right trip. Maybe she can get it, what with Luis Saez back aboard. Her fitness level coming into this spot looks impressive, especially thumbing through her works.

One other runner that I like very much, and would like to toss my support behind, is the Jorge Duarte-trainee, Contained #8. I don’t think this filly’s sire, Flintshire (Chad Brown), has gotten much respect as of yet. His progeny, have not produced like Lope de Vega or Karakontie (major Euro turf sires). Still, with time maybe things can turn around … This 3-yr-old already has a win on the green at Belmont (albeit at a much lower class level), which should not be understated. Though Manny Franco needs a bit of luck when riding on this surface, he is still proficient enough in traffic to get the job done. Running at Monmouth last time in late August proved he has potential. That was a 12-horse field, and ended up being a competitive race. I wouldn’t disrespect Duarte’s ability to spot the proper contest for his charges. This could be one to wager on and back significantly. The other members of this field are not so hot!

Wagering Recommendation: $2 Trifecta Wheel, 8 w 2/4 w 2/4

-------------------------------------------------------------------------

Enjoy the day at beautiful Belmont! Best of luck on another run at their Fall Meet!