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Belmont At The Big A Picks & Predictions — June 25, 2026

June 25, 20268 racesAll Aqueduct picks

This card ran on June 25, 2026.

Best bets at Belmont At The Big A, June 25, 2026

Race 13Stand the RainML 5/21:10 PM EDT

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It's a beautiful Thursday at Aqueduct's Big A — clear skies, 79 degrees, and a firm turf course that should play right into the hands of closers who can handle a genuine pace scenario. Eight races are on the menu today, split evenly between dirt and turf, giving bettors plenty of angles to work across multiple surfaces.

The card leans heavily toward the grass early, with three of the first four races going on the turf. That kind of surface concentration in the early going can set up some interesting multi-race wager opportunities if you can identify the turf horses who are quietly moving forward. Keep that in mind as we walk through the day.

Our TrackWiz ratings span a pretty wide range today — from a tight, wide-open maiden sprint to a couple of claiming races where we've found some genuine separation. There's real value to be found here if you know where to look.

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Race 1

1:10 PM EDT

Maiden Special Weight · 1 3/16 mi · Turf

A wide-open maiden turf route where first-out runners from two powerhouse barns collide — pace shape is murky and the outcome could hinge on who handles the 1 3/16-mile distance best.

win3Stand the RainML 5/2

Stand the Rain draws the eye as our top selection despite an average speed figure of 50 — on the turf at this distance, tactical ability and trainer preparation often matter more than raw numbers. Miguel Clement is a trusted hand with grass maidens at Belmont, and the 5/2 morning line suggests the market agrees this horse is ready to fire. Our TrackWiz rating of 65.76 leads the field, and with Jaime Rodriguez in the irons, expect a patient stalking trip that sets up perfectly for the final turn. First-out turf maidens from Clement's barn at this distance are worth watching closely.

place5ChartistML 6/1

Chartist is the sneaky play here — also trained by Miguel Clement, giving the barn a two-pronged attack in this race. The 62.91 TrackWiz rating and an average speed figure of 54 both rank among the field's best for horses with published workouts, and at 6/1 on the morning line there's genuine place value. Dylan Davis rides, and he knows Clement's turf horses well.

show6Mary LoisML EVN

Mary Lois is the morning-line favorite at even money for good reason — Chad C. Brown's turf maidens demand respect, and Flavien Prat is as good as it gets on the grass. Her 60.0 rating slots in just below Chartist, but the Brown-Prat combination at Belmont on turf is one of the most reliable pairings in the game. Use her underneath in exactas and trifectas as a safe landing spot.

Live odds, scratches and ratings for all 6 runners

Race 2: Free with an Account

Race 2

1:41 PM EDT

Claiming · 1 mi · Dirt

Blenheim Baby arrives with a towering TrackWiz rating and short odds, but That'sthefactjack and Lady Wisdom bring legitimate win credentials that could make this a real fight around the far turn.

win6Blenheim BabyML 9/5

Blenheim Baby is the standout in this claiming mile on dirt — an 88.83 TrackWiz rating is the highest in the field by a wide margin, and trainer Jorge R. Abreu has a sharp eye for placing claimers at the right level. The 14% career win rate doesn't scream dominance, but paired with Flavien Prat in the saddle and that elite rating, she's the one to beat at 9/5. She doesn't offer much value at the morning line, but her form profile makes her the right single in vertical wagers.

place4That'sthefactjackML 5/1

That'sthefactjack brings a solid 10% career win rate and a TrackWiz rating of 69.44 — second-best in the field — at a generous 5/1 morning line. Trainer Domenick Schettino places horses well at this level, and Jaime Rodriguez should get a good trip from post 4. The place price here offers real value if the chalk fires as expected.

show2Spirit of EstherML 6/1

Spirit of Esther catches the eye as an underneath option at 6/1 — trainer Ilkay Kantarmaci knows this circuit, and a 59.39 rating puts her squarely in the mix for a piece of the purse. She's only won 3% of her career starts, so the win is a stretch, but in a wide-open claiming field she's a legitimate show-bet hedge and a trifecta piece worth including.

Live odds, scratches and ratings for all 7 runners

We're giving away our top picks in the first three races, and they tell an interesting story. Stand the Rain draws our eye in the turf maiden opener at 5/2 on the morning line — firm turf on a clear day is exactly the kind of setup where first-time grass runners with strong works can surprise. Over on the dirt in Race 2, Blenheim Baby carries our highest TrackWiz rating of the three free races (88.83) and looks like the most confident call on the early card at 9/5. That rating suggests genuine class separation in what appears to be an evenly-matched claiming field.

Island Charm rounds out our free picks in Race 3, a maiden claiming route on the turf at 7/2. A 86.35 rating in a maiden claimer at that price is the kind of number that catches our attention — and with the turf playing fast today, a horse with tactical speed and route experience could wire this field. These three races alone give you a solid foundation for your early Pick 3 tickets.

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Full Card Analysis

Race 3

2:12 PM EDT

Maiden Claiming · 1 1/16 mi · Turf

Island Charm stands out dramatically in a deep maiden claiming field on the turf, but with ten horses going 1 1/16 miles, traffic and trip could trump talent — this one could get messy.

win1Island CharmML 7/2

Island Charm is the class of this field — an 86.35 TrackWiz rating that towers over the competition, trained by Ilkay Kantarmaci and piloted by Manuel Franco from the rail. A speed figure of 51 is modest, but in maiden claiming company on the turf, this horse's overall profile simply grades out above everyone else. Franco's ability to find a stalking trip from post 1 in a 10-horse turf field is key, and at 7/2 there's enough value to make her the confident best bet of this race.

place4Mia SophiaML 8/1

Mia Sophia at 8/1 is a legitimate value play for the place spot — her 62.58 TrackWiz rating and a 53 average speed figure both rank comfortably in the upper half of this field. Trainer Edward DeLauro doesn't always get the headlines, but Reylu Gutierrez is a capable rider who can get the most out of a turf maiden at this distance. At those morning-line odds, she's an excellent second leg in exactas.

show6Find Your PathML 9/2

Find Your Path brings a 61.18 rating and a 53 average speed figure under trainer Anthony Dutrow, who has a well-established knack for developing turf horses. Katie Davis rides, and while the 9/2 morning line suggests the market has spotted some ability here, the value in the show slot is real in a field this large. Toss her in the trifecta — she has the profile to hit the board.

Live odds, scratches and ratings for all 10 runners

Race 4

2:43 PM EDT

Allowance Optional Claiming · 6 fur · Turf

Munnings Express enters as our top-rated horse but faces a loaded allowance optional claiming sprint on the turf — Bam's Bliss Kiss and Ready to Jam both boast elite figures and the field is tighter at the top than the morning line suggests.

win6Munnings ExpressML 3/1

Munnings Express is the selection here based on the highest TrackWiz rating in the field at 87.08, and more importantly, an eye-popping 55% career win rate — that kind of record speaks to a horse that consistently runs its race when conditions are right. Trainer Linda Rice is excellent with turf sprinters at this level, and Jose Lezcano is a proven closer on the Big A grass. Posted at 3/1 on the morning line, there's legitimate value for a horse with that win percentage.

place7Bam's Bliss KissML 8/5

Bam's Bliss Kiss comes in as the morning-line favorite at 8/5 and posts a 82.70 rating with a 44% career win rate — she's clearly a quality filly and the market loves her. Trainer Jorge Abreu has her fit, and Jaime Rodriguez will put her in a good spot. She's the type who'll be right there even if she doesn't win, making the place bet a strong secondary play.

show5Ready to JamML 7/2

Ready to Jam at 7/2 rounds out our top three with an 81.90 rating and a 20% career win rate, trained by Brad Cox — one of the top conditioners in the country. With an average speed figure of 58, the highest in the field, she's clearly capable of posting big numbers on turf. If the pace devolves into a scramble up front, her closing ability could have her flying late for at least a piece.

Live odds, scratches and ratings for all 7 runners

Race 5

3:14 PM EDT

Maiden Special Weight · 5 1/2 fur · Dirt

First-time starters and lightly-raced maidens square off in a 5 1/2-furlong dirt dash — with nearly the entire field lacking published speed figures, this race is a projector's game and anything can happen.

win2Flight CommandML 5/2

Flight Command draws the top TrackWiz rating of 57.50 in a wide-open field of debut and lightly-raced runners, and the 5/2 morning line confirms the market's respect. Manuel Franco is one of the best debut riders in the game — when a trainer like Rudy Rodriguez sends a first-timer out with Franco aboard, you pay attention. Without a published speed figure it's harder to pin down exactly how fast she'll run, but the overall form package grades out best.

place8DeterML 7/2

Deter checks in with a 55.83 rating and the backing of Hall of Fame trainer William Mott, who rarely runs a horse before it's ready — especially in sprint maidens on dirt. Flavien Prat takes the call, which is never an accident, and at 7/2 the place price represents solid value. If Franco and Flight Command set or stalk the pace, Deter could be the one to overtake them in the final furlong.

show5Hurricane MoML 4/1

Hurricane Mo at 4/1 brings a 55.0 rating with Ricardo Santana Jr. in the irons — Santana is among the most accomplished riders on the New York circuit and can coax a big performance out of a raw maiden. Trainer Jose Delgado isn't the biggest name on the card, but the horse merits inclusion in the show slot and as a trifecta piece given the wide-open nature of this field.

Live odds, scratches and ratings for all 9 runners

Race 6

3:45 PM EDT

Claiming · 1 mi · Dirt

Secured Landing looks like a class standout in this claiming mile on dirt, but a competitive pace scenario with multiple speed horses could set up a wide-open stretch run — value lurks in the mid-priced horses.

win4Secured LandingML 3/1

Secured Landing is the horse to beat — an 87.08 TrackWiz rating, a stellar 42% career win rate, and an average speed figure of 54 combine to paint the picture of a horse operating well above the typical claiming mile level. Trainer Linda Rice puts up strong win percentages with claimers at the Big A, and Kendrick Carmouche is well-suited to rating horses at a mile on dirt. At 3/1 on the morning line, this is one of the more confident win plays on the card.

place7FrizzanteML 9/2

Frizzante is an intriguing place horse at 9/2 — a 65.82 TrackWiz rating and an average speed figure of 53 show consistent ability, and trainer Richard Dutrow Jr. is no stranger to winning with this type. Manuel Franco rides, which upgrades the horse's chances considerably. She's unlikely to blow by Secured Landing but has every reason to run second in a competitive field.

show2Neon BordeauxML 7/2

Neon Bordeaux has a 30% career win rate — one of the highest in the field — which tells you this horse knows how to fire when conditions line up. A 64.39 rating and Flavien Prat on board at 7/2 make her a legitimate show hedge and trifecta candidate. Trainer Dutrow runs her back fresh with a top jockey, and she's the type who could sneak onto the board if anything goes wrong with the favorites.

Live odds, scratches and ratings for all 8 runners

Race 7

4:16 PM EDT

Starter Optional Claiming · 6 fur · Dirt

Proud Foot tops our ratings in a competitive starter optional claiming sprint on dirt, but Mursal and Despo's Dream make this a genuine three-horse battle — the pace scenario will be crucial in a field full of horses with identical speed figures.

win8Proud FootML 9/2

Proud Foot earns the top spot here with a TrackWiz rating of 84.90 and a 16% career win rate — solid numbers for a starter-level claimer on dirt. Trainer Richard Dutrow Jr. saddles him with Manuel Franco, an elite pairing that often signals the stable is ready to run. At 9/2 on the morning line, there's real overlay potential given how cleanly his overall profile grades out versus the field.

place1MursalML 7/2

Mursal brings an 81.47 rating and a strong 22% career win rate — matching the highest in the field — for trainer Linda Rice, who excels with this type at the Big A. Dylan Davis has the mount from post 1, which is actually an asset in a sprint where getting a clean trip early is essential. He's a deserving second choice and the place price at 7/2 is fair.

show3EdistrudisML 5/1

Edistrudis at 5/1 posts a 73.35 rating and a 16% career win rate under trainer Ilkay Kantarmaci, who has multiple runners on this card and clearly has his string humming. Edgard Zayas takes the call and is one of the more underrated riders in the New York colony. In a field where the speed figures are remarkably clustered, Edistrudis has enough upside to sneak into the trifecta.

Live odds, scratches and ratings for all 8 runners

Race 8

4:47 PM EDT

Claiming · 6 fur · Turf

Heads in Beds tops the ratings in a claiming turf sprint with genuine depth — Rockyta and Lupine both have the figures to beat the favorite, making this race an excellent trifecta puzzle.

win7Heads in BedsML 3/1

Heads in Beds is the clear top selection — an 87.08 TrackWiz rating, a 25% career win rate, and an average speed figure of 56 form a compelling case in a six-furlong turf claiming event. Trainer Saffie Joseph Jr. has been one of the hottest conditioners in New York racing, and Manuel Franco in the irons at 3/1 is an ideal setup. This horse grades out as a legitimate win threat and a strong single for pick-3 and pick-4 sequences.

place5RockytaML 9/2

Rockyta checks in at 9/2 with a 79.63 rating and the highest average speed figure in the field at 56 — tied with Heads in Beds and Midnightloveaffair. Flavien Prat rides for trainer J. Kent Sweezey, and Prat's turf sprint record at the Big A speaks for itself. If Heads in Beds gets into trouble or loses focus, Rockyta has the raw speed to go right by at a price that makes the place bet worthwhile.

show3LupineML 5/2

Lupine at 5/2 is the morning-line second choice and carries a 73.45 rating with a 25% career win rate — the equal-best in the field alongside Heads in Beds. Trainer Miguel Clement's turf record is exceptional, and Jaime Rodriguez gives this horse a legitimate shot. She's a solid show bet and essential trifecta inclusion given her consistent form and a barn that routinely delivers on the grass.

Live odds, scratches and ratings for all 9 runners

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Today's card has something for everyone — from a high-confidence dirt play in Race 2 with Blenheim Baby to intriguing turf value scattered across the card. Our three free picks are live now, and the full eight-race breakdown including pace scenarios, exotic structures, and our top longshot angle is waiting for subscribers. Don't leave money on the table — check out TrackWiz Premium and get the complete picture before post time.

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