Belmont Park Horse Racing Picks for Friday 10/2/20
It's a great time to dive into horse racing, and FanDuel Racing gives you the chance to do just that.
Starting at 12:50 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).
Risky Business and Saratoga Love, Race 3
FanDuel Racing Odds: 3/1 and 6/1
Race 3 is an Allowance Race for state-bred fillies and mares sprinting 6 furlongs. The top pick at numberFire is Officer Hutchy (9/5), who will only run if the race is moved off the turf to the main track. That could happen with a chance of rain in the forecast, so check the program and weather, and consider The Important One (5/1) on the far outside as numberFire’s second choice.
Saratoga Love (6/1) is the projected winner of Daily Horse Picks' algorithm, followed by Risky Mischief (3/1) with jockey Jose Ortiz, Jr. riding. Saratoga Love has won 2-of-4 starts since June, including a month ago at this level when she posted a career-best 86 speed figure.
Risky Mischief has good upside and won her first-level Allowance condition race in her turf debut. She can stalk and pounce with front runner Beaux Arts (8/1). The favorite Speightstown Gal (2/1) is worth including underneath.
Malibu Luna, Race 7
FanDuel Racing Odds: 2/1
Race 7 is a Maiden Special Weight for two-year-old fillies. The top pick, according to numberFire’s algorithm, is the favorite Malibu Luna (2/1), followed by Lutescoot N Boogie (5/2).
Malibu Luna has three solid morning workouts in September for trainer Bill Mott since finishing second as the favorite in mid-August. She finished two-lengths in front of Lutescoot N Boogie in that race.
Trainer Wayne Potts has a solid 21% win rate this year, and he enters two runners in this race -- Avogar (15/1) and Tap the Barrel (6/1). Both make their debuts, with Tap the Barrel showing sharper morning works on the work tab at Monmouth Park.
Lookin for Trouble, Race 9
FanDuel Racing Odds: 4/1
Race 9 is the featured $100K Bertram Bongard Stakes for state-bred two-year-olds going 7 furlongs. Daily Horse Picks likes Thin White Duke (5/2) to edge the favorite Eagle Orb (2/1), while numberFire projects Eagle Orb to win.
Eagle Orb broke his Maiden in late August and then finished second two weeks later as the favorite behind a late rally winning ride of Thin White Duke.
Lookin for Trouble (4/1) is a well-bred son of Into Mischief, and finished a close third in that race won by Thin White Duke. But Lookin for Trouble carried the lead into the stretch before giving way, and he’s capable of holding up and finishing stronger with EPO trainer Mike Maker helping him along in sharp morning works.
