Friday’s Picks from Belmont Park

VegasInsider Staff Sports Betting Expert

13 minute read

We are back in action at Belmont Park on Friday after a three-day break and we have a solid 10-race card with plenty of good betting opportunities.

However, Mother Nature needs to cooperate. There is some rain in the forecast and six of the aces are carded for turf this afternoon.

While all the Breeders’ Cup Challenge races are in the books, there are some races this weekend that could produce a few starters for the two-day championship event that is coming up at Keeneland on Nov 6-7.

On Saturday a field of 10 fillies will go seven furlongs in the $200,000 Raven Run (G2) at Keeneland. Venetian Harbor is the 7-5 morning line favorite.

The filly was the runner up in her last three starts, last out in the Test (G1) at Saratoga. Her trainer Richard Baltas indicated a strong performance would likely lead to a start in the Breeders’ Cup Filly & Mare Sprint (G1).

Across the pond at Ascot on Saturday is the British Championships that include four Group 1 races. The highlight is the QIPCO Champions Stakes (G1).

The race drew a stellar field of 11 that will go 1 ¼ miles on turf. The headliner is Magical, who won the Irish Champions Stakes (G1) in her last outing at Leopardstown.

The mare ran second in the 2018 Breeders’ Cup Turf (G1) and she would certainly add some luster to this year’s race is she makes the trip to take on the boys again.

You can catch the action from Belmont Park today from 12:00 to 5:30 ET on FS2.  In addition, you can stream the action on YouTube or by using the TVG App. The horse betting company based in the U.S. is offering a risk free bet up to $300 for new players.

To purchase my Belmont Park Report for Friday click here

Now is the perfect time to purchase my Monthly Package. It gives you a month of Belmont Park Reports daily, my Best Plays Report each Saturday and Sunday and my two-day Breeders’ Cup Reports.

Here is the opener from Belmont Park to get the day off to a good start.

BELMONT PARK RACE 1 ANALYSIS (12:20 P.M. ET)

Race 1 Alw $65,000N1X

• #8 Duress   4-1
• #6 French Reef   7-5
• #3 Maxwell Esquire   5-2
• #7 Bourbon Currency   6-1

Analysis: Duress came with a good late rally to finish in the runner up spot last out at this level going six furlongs and on the cut back from a mile. Albertrani claimed this guy for $40,000 and broke his maiden for the same tag in his first start for the barn, then beating $50,000 starter allowance foes in his first start against winners. Carmouche is still aboard this guy and he handled good ground three back in a runner up finish at this level at seven panels. He should be a bit closer to the lead here and among the top three this guy is likely going to end up offering the best value for the top spot.

French Reef earned a solid number breaking his maiden at 5 1/2 furlongs at the Spa in his second career start and first off the bench. Last out he pressed the early pace and weakened to finish fourth at 6-5. He owns the edge in early and mid pace numbers and may be able to clear early. He looks like a legit threat here but his price is going to end up on the light side. 

BELMONT PARK RACE 8 ANALYSIS (4:14 P.M. ET)

Race 8 Md Sp Wt

• #8 Savoy   7-2
• #7 Constitutional Law   10-1
• #6 Ten for Ten   5-2
• #5 Morethansoultitle   8-1

Analysis: Savoy stretches out to a route for his second career start for the Brown barn that is 34% winners with second out maidens. The colt was sent off at 8-1 in his debut, making a mild late run while drifting in to finish forth. He is bred to go long, by Honor Code out of a Courageous Cat mare that has dropped one other runner, no winners to date. The barn is 35% winners (with a +ROI) moving runners from sprint to route and this guy has a solid off track pedigree if the rains come.

Constitutional Law debuts for the Pletcher barn that this 20% winners with firs timers overall. This year the trainer has hit at a 18% clip with juvie firsters. This colt has a strong off track pedigree. He is out of the stakes winner Baffled ($63,522) who among her foes are Constitution ($1 million) and Jacaranda ($207,200). A steady string of works on the morning tab for his guy. With Johnny V. on the other Pletcher first timer this guy should end up a decent price. 

LIVE LONGSHOTS

These are price plays for exotic players looking to find a couple of extra contenders to use in their trifecta and superfecta wagers. Or for those with smaller bankrolls, you might want to get in a small win-place wager. 

Belmont Park

• R6: #3 Noble Emotion   8-1
• R8: #7 Constitutional Law   10-1
• R8: #5 Morethansoultitle   8-1
• R9: $6 Coilean Bawn   8-1 

Good luck today!

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