Belmont Park Picks & Betting Analysis for September 30

Belmont Park and their September-October Meet have their usual condition book primed and ready for action! This Thursday's line-up is sure to be a tough nut to crack for even the veteran handicapper.

At Horseracing.net/us we have you covered, including all of the 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 7: Starfront #2, 6/5):

A cinch winner on debut, this filly out of Malibu Moon was excellent while breaking her maiden. The main issue though with that win is the fact that it took place last year at this time. Based on her works though, she should come back to the Belmont MT ready to go again. Chad Brown has a budding star here, and once she gets going, we could see some “great things” from her as the season develops. I am not saying that it is certain that running in stakes competition is in her future, but you never know … it could happen. Do not forget that a Juddmonte homebred has a great record for success, and that is the truth.

Wagering Recommendation: $100 Win, #2

Off-the-Pace Play of the Day: (Race 5: Quiet Out East #10, 15/1):

Martin Harrigan owns this gelding out of Broken Vow, and it was not all that long ago that the 5-yr-old visited the winner’s circle at Belmont. Back in late May, going 7F on the grass, he rallied nicely to secure the win. Since then, he has tried 3x to challenge this type of company, without success. A return to this track might do him some good, especially considering how often he has run here (12/4-2-3). If you do not know much about Hector Diaz, he is a rider with solid ability, despite being in the wings nationally. As for trainer Bruce Bowen, he is a NYRA local with some “runners” in that stable of his. At 15/1, that is not too shabby a price …

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

Spotlight Race of the Day: (Race 8: Turf, 6F, ALLW92k, 3+):

The Inner Turf is the place to be in this ALLW Co. contest that will be a tough handicapping proposition. There are a number of directions you could head off in. For instance, sticking with the colt who is breaking from the inside post might be a worthy plan. Last out at Saratoga, Todd Pletcher’s Perfect Munnings #1 ran on nicely at the top of the stretch, and no one was going to catch this son of Munnings. He was just too stout with Luis Saez at the controls. Coming back to Belmont for the 1st time is going to be interesting to see how he adapts to a different turf configuration. Perhaps Pletcher will have his Going Stick at the ready …

If there are some alternatives in this spot, then maybe Chad Brown’s Digital Future #10 or Mike Maker’s Shiraz #11 make a ton of sense. The former is a Klaravich-owned sprinter with only 4 career races under his belt. Out of Street Boss, he only won by a neck last time in a MSW100k at Saratoga. Whether he likes the green at Belmont is up for debate, since he ended up 2nd in both his grass tries in Elmont. Once again, Irad Ortiz will have the mount, and you know that will automatically bring down the 5/1 M/L price.

As for the Maker runner, this experienced 7-yr-old gelding has been around the block. The son of Tale of the Cat has 41 starts, and that is no small feat. The problem is that it is tough to trust him in a spot like this one … Belmont record of 17/2-8-1. Manny Franco is not necessarily an inspired lawn jockey, but maybe he can get this aged relative to get back to some winning ways. It should be interesting for a barn that was red-hot early on in the Saratoga Meet.

In a tight one like this race, Pletcher gets my vote … but it will be close, incredibly so.

Wagering Recommendation: $2 Trifecta Cold, 1 w 11 w 10

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