Belmont at the Big A: Thursday 6/18 Plays R8 - Pete's Picks
- Little Pete
- 3 hours ago
- 3 min read
Eight scheduled (3 turf, 5 dirt) for this Thursday edition of Belmont At The Big A. 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 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 $ 10.00 Early Double:
R1: 3, 4
R2: 6, 9 Cost: $ 20.00
Little Pete's $ 1.00 Spot Pick 3:
R3: 2, 5, 6
R4: 2, 5
R5: 2, 4, 7, 8 Cost: $ 24.00
Big Pete's $ 1.00 Late Pick 3:
R6: 1, 6, 7
R7: 5, 8
R8: 5, 6, 7, 8 Cost: $ 24.00
Big Pete's "Play of the Day":
Race 3:
This 1M Optional Claimer came up chalky for me. Krissy's Star and Hand Over Heart will likely battle it out up front. If one can shake loose and get a breather, they might be tough to catch, but I want to try and get them late. Brown has been working (2) CONCURRENTLY hard in the AM for this 2026 debut. They add L1 and Prat stays up. The cutback to this 1M feels right for this Pharoah as they get her ready for some stakes action this summer.
I’ll use (5) Kissys Star and (6) Hand Over Heart underneath for the exacta.
$ 7.00 WPS 2 Cost $ 21.00
$ 7.00 Ex 2 w/ 5, 6 Cost $ 14.00
We’ll also use (2) Concurrently in R3 and try to cash in on a Daily Double.
(2) Annotate and (5) Wildest Dreams in the 4th.
$ 7.00 Daily Double 2 w/ 2, 5 Cost $ 14.00
Big Pete's Late Pick 3:
Race 6:
(6) KAZ FARM GIRL is the only one I like that has run already. I'll use defensively and try to beat her with the two first-time starters. (1) FIRE BATON has back-to-back bullet works and will have to go from the rail. Elliot will try to wire them, is my guess. The outside runner, (7) LUCKBEOURLADY has the hot barn in her corner. One big bullet back in April and then 3 breezes to stretch the legs is enough to get Manny's attention.
$ 7.00 WPS 2 Cost $ 21.00
$ 3.00 Ex Box 1, 6, 7 Cost $ 18.00
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Race 7:
I'm only interested in two in here. Rice leaves in one runner, (5) LADY ROSE, who will be a short price after several scratches. She's a must-use, but a few of the runners that stayed in have speed but no staying power. If one or more of them go with the favorite, that should set up things late for (8) L' ECLAIR to get a decent setup if good enough. She has some speed figures out of town that almost match the Lady. She'll stalk and come late.
$ 7.00 WPS 8 Cost $ 21.00
$ 7.00 Ex Box 5, 8 Cost $ 14.00
Race 8:
(6) ROAGNA has several speed figures that are much higher than most in here. She's been facing better, so that would help explain it. She's in search of her friends and may have found them. (7) LESLIE'S STAR has also faced slightly better and ran okay last year when going long on the grass. (9) BOSSY DISH is one of the speeds that will try to wire them. They need to clear early to have a chance. I want to try a price in this finale. (5) GREY JOY attracts Davis, and they finally stretch her out. She was away for some time before trying some decent state-breds in her 2026 debut. She started her career with 3 solid sprints on the grass, collecting checks each time. I think she'll like the two turns, and the rider switch makes this gray seem live to, at the very least, hit the board.