​Belmont Park Horse Racing Picks for Thursday 9/24/20

It's a great time to dive into horse racing, and FanDuel Racing gives you the chance to do just that.

Starting at 1:00 p.m. EST, we have 10 races at Belmont Park. Using numberFire’s projections as a guide, here are some of the best bets.

As always, check the program for scratches and changes, and check the weather and track conditions.

(I will reference Equibase's Speed Figure in selected races, which tells you how fast a horse has been running in each of its races -- adjusted for track, distances, and conditions).

Dancingwthdaffodl, Race 1

FanDuel Racing Odds: 9/2

Race 1 is for state-bred fillies and mares going 1 1/16 miles on the Inner Turf. The Daily Horse Picks algorithm projects Love and Love (3/1) to win followed by the favorite Pecatonica (2/1). The top pick of numberFire is VIP Nation (7/2).

Pecatonica had good trips and improved in both her recent races at Saratoga to hit the board. The speed advantage rating of DHP rates VIP Nation higher, but she has to run better than his recent two out-of-the-money finishes.

Out of Trouble (5/2) beat a weaker claiming field last race, but EPO trainer Brad Cox has the 6-year-old back on schedule and showing good health.

Dancingwthdaffodl (9/2) won here in July, but in three other summer starts, she posted better speed figures. That includes her last race and third-place finish a length behind runner-up Pecatonica when she had a wide trip. Dancingwthdaffodl can close well if a good pace is set up front.

Autostrade and Mills, Race 5

FanDuel Racing Odds: 8/1 and 3/1

Race 5 is a Claiming race at 1 1/16 miles. Both Daily Horse Picks and numberFire project Mills (3/1) to win. He won at this track with a wide trip in July but has missed in three races since.

Later Cat (9/2) and Financial Freedom (4/1) are contenders, with the latter fitting in class and speed but coming in from Finger Lakes without proven track form and facing some better runners.

Autostrade (8/1) drops in class for EPO trainer Rudy Rodriguez. He’s missed the money in three straight races but can likely sustain a better run near the front with a moderate pace.

McErin and Kitten’s Cat, Race 7

FanDuel Racing Odds: 7/2 and 4/1

Race 7 is a 6-furlong sprint for claimers on the Inner Turf. Leading EPO trainer Todd Pletcher and top jockey Jose Ortiz team up with McErin (7/2), who drops a bit in class off a race seven weeks ago.

Daily Horse Picks and numberFire both like Kitten’s Cat (4/1) to win or finish second, which supports a wager on him in the Exacta and Trifecta pool. Kitten’s Cat won here off a layoff in June with a 82 speed figure and then ran back to a 102 ESF in early August to finish third with a strong closing kick from off the pace.

War Stroll (10/1) is a deep closer who won both his starts this summer at Laurel Park in higher claiming races.