Belmont at the Big A: Sunday 10/26 Plays R9 - Pete's Picks

Little Pete
Oct 26, 2025
3 min read

Sunday at Belmont at the Big A. Fast and Firm with five turf and 4 dirt races to tackle. I will be condensing my plays down to just the numbers and attacking the early double (Races 1 & 2) and a spot pick 3 (Races 4-6). Big Pete will attack his "Play of the Day" and the late pick 3 (Races 7-9). We appreciate you taking a look at this write-up and GOOD LUCK.

Little Pete's $ 5.00 Early Double:

R1: 1, 5

R2: 4, 6 Cost: $ 20.00

Little Pete's $ 1.00 Spot Pick 3:

R4: 5, 6, 7

R5: 1, 7, 8

R6: 1, 3, 8, 10 Cost: $ 36.00

Big Pete's $ 1.00 Late Pick 3:

R7: 1, 6, 7

R8: 6, 8, 10, 11

R9: 3, 4, 8, 11 Cost: $ 48.00

Big Pete's "Play of the Day":

Race 3:

MSW sprint on the dirt with several well-bred horses, and the major trainers show up. Brown has two, but I'll side with the stalker in lieu of the speed. (3) STRONG EFFORT might let his stablemate do all the dirty work and pick up the pieces late. Prat usually puts them in the race early, so this guy shouldn't be too far away to reel them in.

I’ll use (6 Fightforallegiance and (7) Nearly underneath for the exacta.

$ 7.00 WPS 3 Cost $ 21.00

$ 3.00 Ex Box 3, 6, 7 Cost $ 18.00

We’ll also use (3) Strong Effort in R3 and try to cash in on a Daily Double.

(5) Maxaluna and (7) Valentine Gift in the 4th.

$ 7.00 Daily Double 3 w/ 5, 7 Cost $ 14.00

Big Pete's Late Pick 3:

Race 7:

(7) INTENTIOUS looms large off her last race as she just missed against similar. Davis returns, so the same tactics should be in order. (6) AMY'S LIGHT could shine brighter with a big weight advantage and a slight cutback. She ran well last time against a better bunch. (1) PRINCESS BECCA also cuts back, but her advantage is her speed. She will look to control right from the first jump and carry Carmouche all the way.

$ 7.00 WPS 1 Cost $ 21.00

$ 3.00 Exacta Box 1, 6, 7 Cost $ 18.00

Race 8:

(6) WILD MAMA is adding L1, so her last is a throwout for me. Her maiden score and the addition of Johnny V make her a possible price play. (8) GRATEFULLY is two for two on dirt, but they were both meant for the grass, so she might be even better on that surface. Ward ships in a CHI bred, (9) DI NATALE. I don't think we get this 8:1 ML, but if we do, I may use her instead, on top. (10) TRUTH AND BEAUTY was impressive winning at the Spa. With several changes, L1, blinkers, turf, and Prat, she dominated maidens. She might be better than these and come back with a nice effort off the short rest.

$ 7.00 WPS 10 Cost $ 21.00

$ 3.00 Ex 8, 10 w/ 6, 8, 9, 10 Cost $ 18.00

Race 9:

(3) DEEMER is the one to beat with a small excuse in his last. A clean trip is all he might need. (4) NONNO JOE drops and adds L1 and is my wise guy pick. Rudy switching to Franco helps the cause even off the long layoff. (8) PRETRIAL STATEMENT is potential lone speed, so I'll include, and (11) BLAME IT ON K J wasn't that far behind Deemer when they met.