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Belmont At The Big A Picks & Predictions — June 26, 2026

Friday, June 26, 20269 racesBelmont At The Big A

Friday racing at Belmont at the Big A and we've got a full 9-race card to dig into. Skies are cloudy and temperatures are sitting right around 80°F — comfortable enough for the horses and comfortable enough for whoever's making the trip to Elmont. The turf is going to be a big part of today's story, with four of the nine races run on the grass, including a Maiden Special Weight going an extended 1 3/16 miles and what looks like the card's marquee spot in Race 6.

The mix of conditions today is solid — maiden claimers, a couple of open claimers, allowance company, and a Starter Optional Claiming route on the turf to close things out. Plenty of angles to work across all levels of the card. Our TrackWiz ratings flagged some genuine standouts and at least one live longshot worth tracking into the exotics.

Best Bets

Race 1

5:10 PM EDT

Maiden Claiming · 1 mi · Turf

A maiden turf mile full of first-timers and lightly-raced types, but the TrackWiz ratings spread wide — one horse grades out significantly above the rest, making this less of a puzzle than the maiden tag suggests.

win5ExecutiveML 5/2

Executive (#5) tops the TrackWiz ratings at 87.81 — the highest mark in this field by a comfortable margin — and backs it up with an average speed figure of 54, a tick above most rivals. Ricardo Santana, Jr. is one of the sharper turf jockeys in the region, and trainer Horacio De Paz sending this one out at 5/2 on the morning line suggests confidence from the barn. In a maiden field where most runners are unproven on the turf, Executive's overall profile stands out as the most complete.

place6Fateful LightningML 6/1

Fateful Lightning (#6) grades out second among this field with a solid TrackWiz rating of 81.83, and Kendrick Carmouche is a savvy hand when it comes to route racing on the lawn. At 6/1 on the morning line, there's real value in using this one underneath in exactas if Executive handles the favorites' pressure.

show1Mortal LockML 5/1

Mortal Lock (#1) carries the top TrackWiz rating in the field at 76.23 despite going off at 5/1, and Manuel Franco rarely gets on bad horses. This is a logical third wheel in the trifecta — an experienced jock-trainer combo with George Weaver at the helm, who knows how to place horses on the turf.

Race 2

5:38 PM EDT

Claiming · 1 mi · Dirt

A one-mile dirt claimer with a standout on paper, but a couple of live alternatives lurk underneath — the pace scenario could set up for a closer, and the 2/1 favorite isn't automatically a lock.

win7Hours in a DayML 2/1

Hours in a Day (#7) is the class of this field by the numbers — an 88.54 TrackWiz rating that dwarfs the competition — and trainer Linda Rice is no stranger to placing horses for a spot like this. Jose Lezcano picks up the mount, and at 18% career win rate, this horse has already demonstrated the ability to get to the wire first. The 2/1 morning line reflects obvious public respect, but the rating gap here is real enough to trust it.

place3ShipsationalML 3/1

Shipsational (#3) posts the third-highest rating in the field at 61.6 and matches Quiet Wisdom's average speed figure of 54 — solid for this level. Trainer Ilkay Kantarmaci has two horses in the race, which can sometimes indicate a barn trying to find the right spot, and Silvestre Gonzalez gets the call here. At 3/1, this one profiles as a reliable underneath piece in exactas.

show4Quiet WisdomML 5/1

Quiet Wisdom (#4) shows a 12% career win rate — middle of the pack for this group — and Javier Castellano is a significant jockey upgrade that shouldn't be overlooked. Matching Shipsational's 54 average speed figure while going off at 5/1, Quiet Wisdom is a logical trifecta inclusion and offers a touch of value in the exotics.

Race 3

6:06 PM EDT

Starter Allowance · 7 fur · Dirt

A seven-furlong dirt starter allowance with a wide-open pace scenario — multiple horses with front-running profiles could set things up nicely for a late-running type, and the TrackWiz ratings point to a clear standout sitting just off the pace.

win6CocktailsnkringleML 3/1

Cocktailsnkringle (#6) checks in with the field's top TrackWiz rating at 87.08 and draws the rail-avoiding post in this seven-furlong sprint-route. Despite a modest 10% career win rate, the rating advantage here is substantial — nearly 17 points clear of the next-best Golden Symphony. Ruben Silvera is a capable hand at this level, and trainer Steven I. Schauer sending this one out at 3/1 on the morning line signals that the connections like their chances.

place3Golden SymphonyML 5/2

Golden Symphony (#3) backs up a strong 70.08 TrackWiz rating with a 22% career win rate — the best winning percentage in the field by a clear margin. Manuel Franco has a knack for getting horses into position in dirt sprints, and trainer Linda Rice's 17% career win rate overall gives confidence in the placement. At 5/2, Golden Symphony is a natural exacta partner with the top pick.

show1Fever NightML 6/1

Fever Night (#1) grades out third in the field at 66.67 and carries a 17% career win rate — matching Golden Symphony's trainer in Linda Rice, who doubles up here. Jose Lezcano knows this horse and gets the mount, making the inside post workable. At 6/1, Fever Night is a live trifecta option for players looking for a bit of juice in the third slot.

The first three races are open to all TrackWiz readers, and they give you a nice early sample of what this card is about. Race 1 kicks things off on the turf at a mile, where Executive (5/2 morning line, TrackWiz rating 87.81) looks well-positioned in maiden claiming company. On the dirt in Race 2, Hours in a Day comes in as a lukewarm 2/1 favorite but carries our highest free-race rating at 88.54 — that's a number we take seriously in a one-mile claiming spot. Race 3 shifts to a 7-furlong Starter Allowance on dirt, where Cocktailsnkringle at 3/1 represents solid value for a horse we think can handle this field.

Across the three free races, the dirt plays loom large — keep an eye on early pace development in Races 2 and 3, where front-runners could be tough to catch if they get loose on the lead. The turf opener in Race 1 sets a different tempo entirely, so adjust your thinking accordingly as you move through the card.

Full Card Analysis

Race 4

6:36 PM EDT

Maiden Claiming · 6 fur · Dirt

A six-furlong maiden claimer on the dirt sees three horses bunched near the top of the TrackWiz ratings with very little daylight between them — this one could come down to pace setup and a clean trip.

win8Richies LoveML 5/1

Richies Love (#8) edges out a tight trio atop the TrackWiz ratings at 84.17, and Kendrick Carmouche is the kind of grinder who excels in maiden claiming company, knowing exactly when to ask for run. Trainer Michael Miceli doubles up in this race, which often means the barn is splitting up horses on ability — and this one draws the higher number. The 5/1 morning line represents legitimate value given the rating edge.

place4Speightful StormML 5/2

Speightful Storm (#4) is just a whisker back at 83.38 on the TrackWiz scale and gets Edgard J. Zayas up from a favorable inside post. Trainer H. James Bond has clearly pointed this horse toward a six-furlong dirt sprint, and the 54 average speed figure is competitive with the top picks. At 5/2 on the morning line, this one is likely to be bet down further and could easily flip with the win pick.

show7Chris's SongML 9/2

Chris's Song (#7) rounds out the top three at a 81.73 rating and draws a mid-field post that should allow Ricardo Santana, Jr. to find a comfortable spot early. The 54 average speed figure is right in line with the top contenders, and at 9/2 there's solid trifecta value here — especially in a race where the top two could duel each other into submission.

Race 5

7:07 PM EDT

Maiden Special Weight · 1 3/16 mi · Turf

A maiden special weight on the turf at 1 3/16 miles — this extended distance is a specialty that favors patient closers and horses with pedigree to handle the added ground, and the Chad Brown barn enters two live runners that could complicate things for the top choice.

win2DutyML 5/1

Duty (#2) sits atop the TrackWiz ratings at 84.17 and draws a post that should allow Jaime Rodriguez to stalk the pace on the outside. Trainer Miguel Clement sends two horses in this race, which in a maiden grass field often means both have shown ability at home — but this one draws the higher confidence number. At 5/1 on the morning line, there's genuine overlay potential if the public gravitates toward the Chad Brown pair.

place4Iron SightML 3/1

Iron Sight (#4) rates second in the field at 74.48 and gets Flavien Prat — one of the best turf jockeys in the country — from a ground-saving inside post. The Chad Brown/Prat combination on the grass is one of the most reliable trainer-jockey angles in New York racing, and the 3/1 morning line is likely to shorten. A great underneath piece in exactas.

show8Gold SovereignML 7/2

Gold Sovereign (#8) grades out third at 67.15 with Dylan Davis doing the steering for the other Chad Brown entry in the race. The 7/2 morning line suggests the barn likes this one too, and Brown routinely wins first-out maiden turf races at a high clip. With two quality Brown runners in the field, the trifecta with both in the bottom half is worth constructing.

Race 6

7:39 PM EDT

Allowance · 1 1/16 mi · Turf

An eleven-horse allowance turf field features two horses on very short prices clashing at the top — this looks like a speed duel waiting to happen between a pair of high-rated closers, which could spring a value play in the third spot.

win5WillpoweredML 8/5

Willpowered (#5) leads all horses in the field with a 89.12 TrackWiz rating and pairs it with a 25% career win rate — already a proven winner at this level. Flavien Prat riding at 8/5 on the morning line is a combination that demands respect on the turf, and trainer Miguel Clement is sharp when it comes to spotting horses in allowance company. This is the top pick in one of the stronger races on the card.

place2InspeightofcharlieML 2/1

Inspeightofcharlie (#2) is right behind at 86.41 and shows a 12% career win rate with Manuel Franco up — a jockey-trainer duo under Barclay Tagg that knows how to get turf horses home. The 2/1 morning line makes this an expensive underneath play, but the rating justifies it. If Willpowered gets a clear setup, Inspeightofcharlie looks like the most dangerous threat to complete the exacta.

show6Six FortyfiveML 10/1

Six Fortyfive (#6) rates third in the field at 66.21 and flashes a 17% career win rate — respectable credentials for an allowance turf mile. Kendrick Carmouche rides, and the 54 average speed figure matches the top pair. At 10/1 on the morning line, this is the kind of price that makes trifectas lucrative if the two short-priced horses fill the top two spots.

Race 7

8:11 PM EDT

Claiming · 6 1/2 fur · Dirt

A six-and-a-half furlong dirt claimer with a stunning career win percentage sitting at the top of the TrackWiz rankings — one horse looks like a significant class edge here, though the morning line price suggests the market hasn't fully caught up yet.

win5Manhattan ChromeML 9/2

Manhattan Chrome (#5) is an eye-opener — a 84.9 TrackWiz rating combined with a jaw-dropping 66% career win rate makes this horse the standout of the entire card. Manuel Franco takes the mount for Brad H. Cox, one of the top trainers in the country by win percentage, and the pairing over a six-and-a-half furlong dirt sprint sets up beautifully. The 9/2 morning line feels generous; expect this one to be bet down considerably before post time.

place7Math TutorML 5/2

Math Tutor (#7) checks in at 66.43 on the TrackWiz scale and carries a 12% career win rate in a field where most rivals are in that same range. Christopher Elliott picks up the mount for trainer Jena M. Antonucci, and the 5/2 morning line reflects public confidence. If Manhattan Chrome's pace draws out rivals early, Math Tutor's profile as a closer makes the exacta combination worth playing.

show6Typhoon FuryML 8/1

Typhoon Fury (#6) rates third at 64.64 and shows the best average speed figure among the supporting cast at 55 — a useful edge in a sprint distance. Reylu Gutierrez is a capable pilot at this level, and at 8/1 on the morning line, Typhoon Fury offers meaningful trifecta value in what could be a pace-honest race with multiple speed horses near the front.

Race 8

8:43 PM EDT

Starter Optional Claiming · 1 3/16 mi · Turf

A sprawling fifteen-horse starter optional claiming field going 1 3/16 miles on the turf — this is the toughest race to handicap on the card, with a wild card at the top of the win market and several horses with legitimate ratings clustered in the 70-80 range.

win3Hard CircleML 8/1

Hard Circle (#3) tops the TrackWiz ratings at 79.79 among the genuine contenders and shows a 15% career win rate while posting the best average speed figure in the top group at 54. Javier Castellano takes the mount for trainer Mertkan Kantarmaci — a combination that works well at this oval — and the 8/1 morning line is a gift given the ratings advantage. In a field this large, Hard Circle offers both upside and value.

place12EgyptianML 7/2

Egyptian (#12) grades out second in the field at 76.62 with a 15% career win rate and an average speed figure of 54. The Dutrow barn sends out two horses in this race, which can often signal split confidence — but Egyptian's higher TrackWiz number suggests this is the more likely of the two to fire. At 7/2 on the morning line, Egyptian profiles as the chalk underneath Hard Circle in exactas.

show7War OfficerML 6/1

War Officer (#7) rates third at 73.48 and flashes the best average speed figure in the entire field at 56 — a meaningful edge in a route on turf where late pace figures matter. Flavien Prat gets the call for Saffie A. Joseph, Jr., and at 6/1 there's genuine trifecta value if the top two hold form. The speed figure profile here is quietly one of the most intriguing in the race.

Race 9

9:14 PM EDT

Maiden Claiming · 1 1/16 mi · Turf

The nightcap is a maiden turf affair at 1 1/16 miles with a wide field but a clear ratings standout — one horse grades significantly above the rest, though the turf distance and maiden conditions always leave room for a surprise.

win9UrgencyML 3/1

Urgency (#9) leads the field with a 87.08 TrackWiz rating — a dominant edge in a maiden field — and pairs it with Flavien Prat, who is among the best in the business at rating horses on the turf. Trainer Richard E. Dutrow, Jr. enters two runners in this race, and this one draws the higher confidence rating by a clear margin. At 3/1 on the morning line, Urgency looks like one of the better value plays on the card relative to the probability implied by the number.

place3Levi WarriorML 9/2

Levi Warrior (#3) checks in at 59.8 on the TrackWiz scale and gets John R. Velazquez — a Hall of Famer who excels in turf routes — for trainer Mark A. Hennig. The 9/2 morning line is fair, and Levi Warrior's average speed figure of 54 is among the top marks in the field. A solid exacta underneath Urgency.

show8TeutonicML 5/2

Teutonic (#8) rates third at 57.5 and draws Manuel Franco for the powerful Chad C. Brown stable — a combination that routinely lights up the tote board in maiden turf fields. The 5/2 morning line may cause bettors to overlook better prices in the show spot, but Brown's first-out turf win rate makes Teutonic a credible trifecta piece in a race the barn clearly has circled.

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It's a well-rounded Friday card at the Big A with genuine plays from top to bottom. Hours in a Day and Executive headline the free best bets, while Willpowered in Race 6 is the number we're most excited about on the day. Unlock the full card breakdown — including pace projections, exotic tickets, and every premium race — with a TrackWiz subscription at /pricing. Good luck out there, and let's find some winners.

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