Belmont Park Picks & Betting Analysis for September 23

NYRA's Belmont Park once again is ready to begin another week of racing! Their September-October Meet is all-set, and with a variety of conditions, it is sure to be a test for even the most seasoned handicapper.

We are Horseracing.net/us have you covered. With Breeders' Cup implications on the table, plus a bevy of other stakes action, 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 5: Juggler #9, 7/2):

With rain in the forecast around Elmont, you never know if this one will be left on the turf, or whether it will have to come off. Keeping those options in mind, I like the look of Kelly Breen’s colt out of Lord Nelson. Bred well for the grass, this 2-yr-old was up against some stiff MSW Co. at both BEL and The SPA, and he did not seem very interested in running. Maybe the switch to the green will assist. I like the addition of Irad Ortiz, who will have the chance to redeem himself after a poor opening weekend at Big Sandy. Let him get on track, and it could be a tough time for all those trying to win … If this does move to the MT, then at least this Breen runner has experience on the stuff. Worth a bet for sure …

Wagering Recommendation: $100 Win, #9

Off-the-Pace Play of the Day: (Race 3: Full Court Press #2, 8/1):

Irad Ortiz is aboard another mount that I quite like, and this Dialed In colt has some upside for a number of reasons. He has resided in some nice barns in his career including Bill Mott’s HOF outfit, and Tom Morley’s fine NYRA establishment. Bred by Winchell (we know their record), trainer Horacio DePaz took this new member out of a spin last time against ALLW Co. at Saratoga and won by a neck. His speed fig. was a vast improvement, when he plied his trade in the Claiming ranks. At 8/1, he could drift higher. In a race like this, where Todd Pletcher’s coupled entry will take most of the scrum, you want to look for some value. This is it going 1 -turn down the sandy backstretch at Belmont …

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

Spotlight Race of the Day: (Race 8: Turf, 6F, ALLW80k, F&M 3+):

We find ourselves in the midst of a NY bred turf sprint on the “Inner” at Belmont. Talk about some tough ’capping, this is all vim and vigor. In a spot like this one, I want a runner who has Belmont experience, and is ridden by a jockey who has a strong “green” mentality. The choice is clear … take Tis a Pity #8. This filly out of Sir Percy (GB) is adequately bred for the turf, gets Joel Rosario, and has a win over the course at this distance back in July. Christophe Clement works well with this aggressively-minded rider, and I like it when these 2 mix it up with their competition. The best stat is that jump up in class she had moving from an MC40k race into an ALLW90k. That is not terribly easy, and I am sure her return to Belmont will be a successful one.

As for a couple of others to take a look at … why not back Tom Morley’s Social Whirl #10? This Freud filly has a 2-race win streak coming back to Belmont, and she can improve further with a class hike in here. It is not going to be easy, but maybe Javier Castellano can harness some of that turf sprint riding magic he has displayed this year. Rating closely will be key, if Patricia Moseley’s homebred wants to visit the winner’s circle. To add to the mix, I am also keen on Michelle Nevin’s Get the Candy #12. There is nothing better than a daughter/son of Twirling Candy on the turf. This is one of my favorite sires of all-time, and when I see them in the mix, they must be considered. Getting Luis Saez to serve as rider for the 3rd time is a boon, and this one’s front running ability can be a potent ally when it comes to winning on this track—which, by-the-way, she did back in late June in a MSW75k. Let’s use this pair, and work them in …

Wagering Recommendation: $2 Trifecta Cold, 8 w 12 w 10

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