Belmont at the Spa: Friday, 7/04 Plays ** Pete's Picks **
- Little Pete
- Jul 4, 2025
- 3 min read
Happy 4th of July as day 2 of the Belmont at Saratoga continues. The G1 Belmont Derby and the G2 Surburban are the main attractions along with several stakes races.. I will be condensing my plays down to just the number and attacking the early double (Races 1 & 2) and a spot pick 3 (Races 6-8). Big Pete will attack two "Play of the Day" and the late pick 3 (Races 9-11); GOOD LUCK.
Little Pete's $ 5.00 Early Double:
R1: 4, 6
R2: 5, 6 Cost: $ 20.00
Little Pete's $ 1.00 Spot Pick 3:
R6: 4, 6
R7: 1, 2, 3
R8: 2, 4, 8 Cost: $ 18.00
Big Pete's $ 1.00 Late Pick 3:
R9: 2, 3, 4, 5
R10: 3, 4, 7
R11: 2, 6, 9, 10 Cost: $ 48.00
Big Pete's "Play of the Day":
Race 3:
(5) MAGNOLIA MIDNIGHT holds an edge over this group. He is the main speed that can control the tempo up front. The slight cut back will only help as Manny will get position early and open up soem daylight turning for home.
$ 7.00 WPS 5 Cost: $ 21.00
$ 7.00 Ex 5 w/ 4, 6 Cost: $ 14.00
Big Pete's "Play of the Day":
Race 5:
(7) FRANTIC didn't run at all last time as he didn't like mud in his face. He draws outside the pack today and can settle into a nice rhythm out there. Several speeds will go to allow Santana to stalk and pounce when he's ready. Looks like he's all dressed up for a nice run looking for a buyer.
$ 7.00 WPS 7 Cost: $ 21.00
$ 3.00 Ex Box 4, 5, 7 Cost: $ 18.00
We'll use (7) Frantic in R5 and try to cash in on a Daily Double.
(4) Lawyer Mason or (6) Minorinconvenience in the 6th.
$ 7.00 Daily Double 7 w/ 4, 6 Cost $ 14.00
Big Pete's Late Pick 3:
Race 9:
Both (4) NEW CENTURY and (5) TEST SCORE exited the same race where both were traveling well late. I prefer New Century today. (2) EARLY ADOPTER has the connections in his corner and looks primed for a big one. Jose takes the call and figures to save all the ground. (3) LUTHER makes his US debut and is bred to get this 9F easily. Brings in his regular jockey as well.
$ 7.00 WPS 4 Cost: $ 21.00
$ 3.00 Ex 2, 4 w/ 2, 3, 4, 5 Cost: $ 18.00
Race 10:
(4) LOCKED will be tough in here. He's been facing the best of this older division and has a decent resume when not facing Fierceness and White Abarrio. A must-use in here. The other Pletcher, (7) ANTIQUARIAN is probably in here to help Locked get a fast pace to close into. But Johnny V has a way of taking control early and saving enough late. A nice one-two punch for this barn. As a wise guy play, I'll include the longshot (3) SAN SIRO shipping in for a sharp outfit. The farther, the better for this Classic Empire, and Saez makes it more appealing.
$ 7.00 WPS 4 Cost: $ 21.00
$ 3.00 Ex Box 3, 4, 7 Cost: $ 18.00
Race 11:
(6) WORKS FOR ME has a few races that stand out against this group. With Prat, he's a must-use. (9) BRING THE BAND HOME was dominant in his Spa race last year. The same tactics will apply today, just go. (10) WITTY comes in sharp. Both 2025 turf runs put him right there again. (2) OUR SHOT is who I want. At 10:1 ML and the move back to Saez, this gelding looks live coming out of the G1 Jaipur and G2 Shakertown. He comes home strong late in the game.
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