Belmont at the Big A: Friday 10/10 Plays R9 - Pete's Picks

Little Pete
Oct 10, 2025
3 min read

With Keeneland's short meet heating up we have a quite eight race card this Friday at Belmont at the Big A. There's still money to made as I will be condensing my plays down to just the numbers and attacking the early double starting in R2 (Races 1 & 2) and a spot pick 3 (Races 3-5). Big Pete will attack his "Play of the Day" and the late pick 3 (Races 6-8). We appreciate you taking a look at this write-up and GOOD LUCK.

Little Pete's $ 5.00 Early Double:

R1: 4

R2: 1, 2, 4 Cost: $ 15.00

Little Pete's $ 3.00 Spot Pick 3:

R3: 3, 5, 6

R4: 4, 6

R5: 2, 3, 4 Cost: $ 18.00

Big Pete's $ 3.00 Late Pick 3:

R6: 2, 5, 6

R7: 4, 7, 8, 10

R8: 1, 4, 5, 11 Cost: $ 48.00

Big Pete's "Play of the Day":

Race 3:

I'm not a fan of the Monmouth shipper especially at 6:5ML. Both Liberty Rising and Ridolfi will like the class relief but still need to show up. I'll turn to (6) ARMY PROUD who has shown some improvement over the last few races. He's collected checks at this level both times with Elliott on his back. The outside draw allows him to stalk the cheap speeds and mount a late charge turning for home.

I’ll use (3) Liberty Rising and (5) Ridolfi underneath for the exacta.

$ 7.00 WPS 6 Cost $ 21.00

$ 3.00 Exacta Box 4, 5, 6 Cost $ 18.00

We’ll also use (6) Army Proud in R3 and try to cash in on a Daily Double.

(4) Jurisprudence and (6) LaChaise in the 4th.

$ 7.00 Daily Double 6 w/ 4, 6 Cost $ 14.00

Big Pete's Late Pick 3:

Race 6:

(2) BEAR CLAW NECKLACE is the one to beat. His two Spa races posted the two highest speed figures of this group. A similar effort should get the job done. I'm looking for others at better prices. (6) TRUST ISSUES might be the lone speed. Others have shown some before, but this guy looks sharp and can open up early and clear the field. He'll be tough to catch if the rest pull back. I like (5) UNCLE JIM in this spot. He was claimed two back and didn't look like himself next time out. He usually has some speed, but that day was far back. I think that was by design as these new connections gave him a public workout. He's now been running fast in the AM and Carmouche returns instead of having first choice on others.

$ 7.00 WPS 5 Cost $ 21.00

$ 3.00 Ex Box 2, 5, 6 Cost $ 18.00

Race 7:

(4) SURPRENANT COCCA is the filly to beat, and Maker is on fire this meet as they drop her in for a tag. She'll be tough if she brings her A game, or is she damaged goods? I'll use defensively and try to beat her. The main danger to me is (8) TEMPLE CITY TABOO. They dropped her to this level last time, and she responded. The odd move is that Lezcano gets off this one and lands on (10) VINO SAMARA. She prefers turf, as her two starts on that surface make her a player here. I'll include. I want to take a shot with (7) FROM HELLO. She was running speed figures last year that match the contenders in here. Both races this year, not so much, but they were against much better. I like the drop and the uncertainty of this field. She can settle in mid-pack and wait for the others to back up as she plods her way through the lane.

$ 7.00 WPS 7 Cost $ 21.00

$ 3.00 Exacta 4, 7 w/ 4, 7, 8, 10 Cost $ 18.00

Race 8:

(1) BELAROSA is the speed from the hedge and goes out for the hot barn. If they clear off, it may be over. Casse is the danger with (4) DELIGHTFUL DARLING. She's yet to miss the board and will make the rail runner work for it. I'll try to beat them both with first-time starters. Clement has (5) CHATELOT and Rosario is still scheduled to ride. They shipped her to the Spa for two workouts and sent her back down for this. She must be ready to roll. Weaver has (11) CHANNELVIEW who also comes in from the Spa treatment. A big breeze on the 22nd jumps off the page.