Belmont at the Big A & Keeneland Picks: Awesome Czech Tops Ticonderoga Stakes, Tenacious Leader Live Longshot in Bryan Station

Belmont at the Big A Race 9 Ticonderoga Stakes

4 Awesome Czech couldn’t get the job done when facing open company in the Athenia Stakes last month but still ran a respectable third beaten just under 2-lengths. Filly now runs back with the New York Breds where she has won multiple times including the Yaddo Stakes two races back. She’s a 4-time winner in 7 lifetime starts at this distance and the deserving morning line favorite. Top Pick

1 Spinning Colors draws the rail and appears to be the controlling speed. Mare hasn’t been able to hold on for the victory in her last 3 starts, fading in the furlong. If she can carve out some easy fractions upfront, she could take this group gate-to-wire. Win Contender

5 Moonage Daydream looks to get back to her winning ways after finishing a tiring 5th in the Athenia Stakes. This Jorge Abreu trainee should appreciate the cut back to this mile and a sixteenth distance where she’s won multiple Stake races for NY Breds. Major Threat

Selections 4-1-5-7

Keeneland Race 6 Bowman Mill Stakes

5 Spun D M C was 12-1 winner on debut at Churchill, clocking in with a 87 dirt Bris speed figure in the process. Love this Colts 1/71 bullet breeze on October 3rd. I have a feeling this Colt could be a special one. Top Pick

1 Heartily is another in here who impressed on debut, winning by over 6-lengths with plenty left in the tank over this main track here at Keeneland. Win Contender

7 Super Kick ran a nice number when breaking Maiden versus a full field of 12 at Churchill, winning by nearly 6-lengths in just his second career start. Live Longshot

Selections 5-1-7-6

Keeneland Race 8 Bryan Station Stakes Grade 3

8 Tenacious Leader returned from a year hiatus and defeated Allowance 1X types three weeks ago. This Todd Pletcher trained son of Not this time was an up and coming two year old last year before going down to injury in the Grade 1 Breeders Futurity at Keeneland. Colt was a neck away from beating the highly regarded Zulu Kingdom in the Grade 3 With Anticipation Stakes last year. Top Longshot Pick of the Day

9 Giocoso seems to do his best running on firm turf. Colts won his last two races when the turf is firm, including a Grade 2 victory in the Secretariat Stakes two races back. Win Contender

5 Final Gambit has been facing much tougher horses than he’s faces today but I prefer this Colt at longer distances. This mile distance might be just too short for him. Use Underneath

Selections 8-9-5-4

Keeneland Race 9 Hagyard Fayette Stakes Grade 3

10 Gosger is a 3-year-old taken on his elders today and I love his chances. He makes his second start off the bench after laying an egg in the Pennsylvania Derby. I’m going to forgive that effort at Parx, he broke slowly and never got a clean trip. Last time this son of Candy Ride made his second start off the bench, he ran an incredible 106 Bris number when finishing second to Journalism in the G1 Preakness Stakes. Win Contender

11 Hit Show is the Dubai World Cup champ who chooses to sit next weeks Breeders Cup Classic. He’s a bit inconsistent but on his best day he could defeat anybody. I expect a return to form after his 4th place finish last out in the G2 Lukas Classic. Win Contender

3 Bracket Buster enters here off a career top when winning the Oklahoma Derby at Remington Park. This is a tougher group of animals today but the 102 Bris number last out puts this Colt right there at the wire. Major Threat
6 Rattle N Roll has run well here, has back class and the work tab has looked sharp. Don’t Ignore

Selections 10-11-3-6

Most Likely Winner

4 Awesome Czech Belmont at the Big A Race 9

Longshot Pick of the Day

8 Tenacious Leader (12-1) Keeneland Race 8