Belmont Stakes Racing Festival at Saratoga: Wednesday 6/4 Plays - Pete's Picks

Little Pete
2 hours ago
3 min read

10 races to kick off the Belmont Stakes Racing Festival at Saratoga. I will be condensing my plays down to just the numbers and attacking the early double starting in R2 (Races 2 & 3) and a spot pick 3 (Races 5-7). Big Pete will attack his "Play of the Day" and the late pick 3 (Races 8-10). We appreciate you taking a look at this write-up and GOOD LUCK.

Little Pete's $ 5.00 Early Double: ( Skipping R1 Hurdles )

R2: 5

R3: 10, 11 Cost: $ 10.00

Little Pete's $ 1.00 Spot Pick 3:

R5: 2, 4

R6: 2, 5, 8

R7: 3, 9, 10 Cost: $ 18.00

Big Pete's $ 1.00 Late Pick 3:

R8: 2, 8

R9: 1, 5, 9

R10: 1, 4, 5, 7, 11 Cost: $ 30.00

Big Pete's "Play of the Day":

Race 4:

Mama's Gold and Bank Frenzy have been posting high-speed figures in this division and will both take money. I'm looking for them to go at it early as both like to be on or close to the lead. That bodes well for a stalker, and for me, that is (6) LOCKE AND KEY. He hasn't gone two turns on the dirt in a long time, and he showed he can handle the distance on the grass. It would have been nice to see a different jockey up, as some of the best are staying in the locker room for this. Some strong bullets in the AM should have this guy ready to run them down.

I’ll use (1) Mama's Gold and (7) General Banker underneath for the exacta.

$ 7.00 WPS 6 Cost $ 21.00

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

We’ll also use (6) Locke And Key in R4 and try to cash in on a Daily Double.

(2) Pay The Juice and (4) Sounds Like A Plan in the 5th.

$ 7.00 Daily Double 6 w/ 2, 4 Cost $ 14.00

Big Pete's Late Pick 3:

Race 8:

(8) STERLING SILVER is showing no signs of slowing down. Her last two may have been her best yet as she comes out of the G2 Ruffian only loosing by a length. If she runs her A game, it's lights out for the rest. I'm hoping the Ruffian took a little out of her and with with Landed coming out, I'll turn my attention to (2) AMANDA'S FOLLY. She figures to get a perfect set up with three speeds trying to take control early. Jose can keep an eye on Silver while saving ground and hope that Silver backs up a little bit.

$ 7.00 WPS 2 Cost $ 21.00

$ 3.00 Exacta 2, 8 w/ 2, 7, 8, 9 Cost $ 18.00

Race 9:

(1) SILVER SKILLET is the returning champ of this Mount Vernon. That was in the mud last year, but we should be on the grass today. She's capable there too. (9) BROCKNARDINI was finishing well here last year on this grass course. Prat gives her another try today and she should come running late again. (5) AWESOME CZECH is two for two on this course and returned running first time out in 2025 to just miss going shorter. The two turns fit her well today.

$ 7.00 WPS 5 Cost $ 21.00

$ 3.00 Exacta Box 1, 5, 9 Cost $ 18.00

Race 10:

(7) MOE EIGHTY EIGHT and (11) SIR LAWRENCE are two first-timers with the breeding and connections to make some noise. (5) SPIRIT OF THE LAWN is interesting as he tries turf and meets up again with NY Breds. (4) COACH CASE took a lot of money in his last race and ran to it. He's the one to beat as this Slumber stretches out a little more. (1) SIR OSCAR is the sleeper. My guess is that Manny will gun this gelding to take advantage of the inside post and save ground all the way on the lead.