Belmont at the Big A: 2023 Opening Day Analysis, Selections

Due to ongoing renovations at Belmont Park. Aqueduct will once again host the NYRA fall meet. Thursday’s opening card features a grade 1 hurdle event.

Belmont at the Big A Trends

Anytime one meet closes and another opens, it is important for horseplayers to anticipate how the new venue may impact the horses entering the races. Here are some things to look for as the New York Racing Association moves to Aqueduct.

Different Track Composition

The main track at the recently wrapped Saratoga meet has more of a sandy composition than the more dirt heavy oval at Aqueduct. Especially with the changing weather during the fall in New York, this can lead to more frequent biased tracks.

Players would be wise to look for trends in running styles especially if speed horses are winning at solid prices. This can be an indication that the tighter pack of the dirt is producing conveyer belt like conditions.

The Usual Suspects

Not much is expected to change from a human perspective at the meet. Those jockeys and trainers who were top of the class at Saratoga, will likely remain there throughout the Belmont at the Big A meet.

A handful of jockeys and trainers may opt to put a greater contingent in Kentucky as Churchill Downs will also open the same day. The big names however, like Rice, Brown, Ortiz, etc. will remain in New York through the fall.

This is likely to change dramatically when the true Aqueduct meet starts in November and many of the New York connections make their way to Florida for a milder winter at Gulfstream Park.

Jump Racing

One of the unique features of the Belmont fall meet is the inclusion of steeplechase races. During these races horses travel marathon distances while jumping over hurdles throughout the balance of the race.

The test of speed, athleticism, and endurance usually kicks off the card. Most of the time, the races feature horses that have trained for jumps their entire life. However, it is not uncommon to see former turf routers trying their hand at a new craft either.

Full Card Analysis

Belmont at the Big A- 1

Post: 1:05 PM ET; $150k Lonesome Glory H. going 2 1/2 m on hurdle; Entries: 8

• #3 BARBADOS (10-1) is a price horse with the top selection. He has races good enough to beat this group and represents the Kingsley barn with Galligan in the irons.
• #2 CIBOLIAN (12-1) is another price horse and looks like a major player. He boasts the top overall power rating in the group and has shown consistency in recent starts.
• #1 SNAP DECISION (4-5) should be competitive, having proven his ability to handle these conditions.
• #8 L’IMPERATOR (4-1) is also a contender. He has made the switch over to steeplechase after a flat career that included winning the grade 2 Fort Macy.

Selections: 3 – 2 – 1 – 8

Belmont at the Big A- 2

Post: 1:41 PM ET; $90k Maiden Special Weight going 1 m on dirt; Entries: 6

• #1 QUALITY CHIC (7-2) is the top pick, coming into the race in good form with tactical speed.
• #5 BLACK RAIN (8-5) should improve and is a major player with consistent pace figures.
• #3 CLOUD FOREST (3-1) is expected to be on or near the lead and could hold off the competition with consistent pace figures.
• #6 STRAPPED (6-1) is also a significant contender and could make a competitive run.

Selections: 1 – 5 – 3 – 6

Belmont at the Big A- 3

Post: 2:13 PM ET; $75k Maiden Special Weight going 6 f on dirt; Entries: 8

• #8 AGGELOS THE GREAT (7-2) is a strong choice, likely to improve and perform well. He has the potential to lead from the front.
• #6 QUIET WISDOM (5-2) is another contender, making sense on speed figures and with Pletcher and Ortiz.
• #7 CATALINA CRUSH (2-1) should improve and be competitive, boasting a solid recent record and pedigree.
• #4 SLAMMIN GOLD (5-1) is a debutant and should be considered for the lower positions on tickets.

Selections: 8 – 6 – 7 – 4

Belmont at the Big A- 4

Post: 2:44 PM ET; $85k Allowance Optional Claiming going 1 1/16 m on turf; Entries: 10

• #6 ORANGE FREEZE (2-1) is the top selection, representing the Morey barn with Rosario as the jockey.
• #4 COLLABORATION (7-2) is a major player in this race, going out for the combination of Rice and Ortiz.
• #5 SPINNING COLORS (5-2) is another significant contender, poised to make a well-timed run.
• #3 GOLDEN ROCKET (5-1) is expected to be competitive, sitting mid-pack and launching one strong run.

Selections: 6 – 4 – 5 – 3

Belmont at the Big A- 5

Post: 3:15 PM ET; $37k Claiming going 1 m on dirt; Entries: 8

• #7 GUT FEELING (5-2) is the top pick, having previously shown an ability to handle these conditions.
• #6 MAMA’S GOLD (12-1) is a price horse with a chance to hit the board.
• #1 HAPPY BOB (3-1) should be considered for lower positions on tickets, going out for the Schettino barn with Prat in the irons.
• #5 PLAYINGWITHMATCHES (3-1) is another contender, representing the combination of Rice and Lezcano.

Selections: 7 – 6 – 1 – 5

Belmont at the Big A- 6

Post: 3:46 PM ET; $70k Maiden Special Weight going 6 f on dirt; Entries: 11

• #4 CHARLIE’S EXPRESS (5-1) appears to be the class of the field and is the top choice.
• #1 DON VINO VICI (9-2) should improve and is a major player with the ability to handle these conditions.
• #5 PICCATA PRINCE (2-1) is another major contender with the pedigree to perform well.
• #2B WHERE’S CHRIS (3-1) is a debutant and should be respected going out for the combination of Dutrow and Ortiz.

Selections: 4 – 1 – 5 – 2B

Belmont at the Big A- 7

Post: 4:17 PM ET; $100k Allowance going 6 f on turf; Entries: 16

• #3 DEKANTER (9-2) gets the top selection, with solid early pace figures and the ability to handle these conditions.
• #5 GEORGEES SPIRIT (5-1) should be competitive, going out for the Abreu barn with Ortiz as the jockey.
• #1 DONTLOOKBACKATALL (8-5) could have a shot in this race and shouldn’t have trouble with the distance.
• #6 FLEETFOOTED (8-1) is a fringe contender with a strong class profile.

Selections: 3 – 5 – 1 – 6

Belmont at the Big A- 8

Post: 4:50 PM ET; $45k Claiming going 7 f on dirt; Entries: 9

• #8 DIVINE CROSS (3-1) is the top pick, boasting the top overall power rating and solid early pace figures.
• #1 ROMAN GODDESS (3-1) is a major player, with solid early pace figures.
• #2 YOGI (8-1) should be competitive and in the first flight of runners.
• #7 MY GIRL JAL (10-1) is a price horse with a chance to be a threat on the front end.

Selections: 8 – 1 – 2 – 7

Belmont at the Big A- 9

Post: 5:21 PM ET; $45k Claiming going 1 1/16 m on turf; Entries: 13

• #6 SPACE LAUNCH (6-5) looks to be in top form and is the top choice with the highest overall power rating.
• #1A GHOSTLYPRINCE (8-1) may compete for minor placings and could benefit from the race setup.
• #7 OUR COUNTRY (10-1) is another price horse to consider for minor placings, with good speed figures.
• #3 EDDIE THE GREAT (20-1) is a price horse running for minor placings.

Selections: 6 – 1A – 7 – 3

Belmont at the Big A- 10

Post: 5:52 PM ET; $75k Maiden Special Weight going 6 f on turf; Entries: 16

• #2 VOLEUSE (3-1) is the top selection, boasting the pedigree to be a major player.
• #14 BETTER HUMOR ME (3-1) is expected to improve and should be considered for lower positions on tickets.
• #1 CERRETTA (7-2) should be sitting in the second tier of runners and may make a well-timed run.
• #15 ISLAND ROSE (6-1) should improve and compete for minor placings.

Selections: 2 – 14 – 1 – 15

Betting News Horse Racing Coverage

Betting News provides AI generated handicapping tools for all of the major tracks around the country each and every day, including Churchill Downs which reopens on Thursday.

In addition, Betting News will continue to provide in depth analysis of select cards throughout the week. This week’s analysis will feature the cards listed below.

• Belmont at the Big A featuring the Grade 3 Turf Jockey Club Oaks
• Churchill Downs featuring the Grade 3 Iroquois, Grade 3 Locust Grove, and Grade 3 Pocahontas
• Woodbine featuring the Grade 1 Natalma, Grade 1 Woodbine Mile, Grade 1 Summer Stakes, and Grade 3 Vigil stakes. The three grade 1 races are all “Win and You’re in” races for the Breeders’ Cup.