Horse Racing Picks for Belmont at the Big A, Churchill Downs, Gulfstream Park & Santa Anita – May 23, 2026

Belmont at the Big A  Race 7

3 Intricate Spirit had a terrible trip in the 300k Palisades at Keeneland in his most recent start, finishing a well beaten 9th. I’ll draw a line through that effort. Gelding’s lone turf start here at the Big A was an impressive Grade 3 victory at this distance on the blades. I believe with the blinkers going on and Manny Franco in the irons, this Miguel Clement trainee gets back to his winning ways. Top Pick

6 Azizam came back from a 6-month layoff and ran a solid third in the Palisades. Colt has had 3 sharp works since and can move forward second off the bench today. Win Contender

4 Capanaparo has shown little lately while racing on dirt. Colt gets back on the green where his lone turf start was on debut when finishing second to a very good turf sprinter Johnny Red Shoes. Live Longshot 

Selections 3-6-4-9

Churchill Downs Race 9 Keertana Stakes

1 Sultana exits from a Grade 3 victory in the Orchid Stakes down in South Florida. Mare has reeled off 3 straight victories and is unbeaten in 2 starts on the turf. She ran career top in the Orchid and bounce is always possible but I like that trainer Kevin Attard gave this one 2 months between races. Top Pick

4 Golden Sunshine outran her odds when finishing a strong second in the Grade 3 Bewitched a month ago. Filly seems to relish these marathon distances and I expect another solid effort from this daughter of Medaglia d’Oro. Win Contender 

3 Ayra Stark likes to wing it on the front end but has a case of seconditis, finishing second in her last 3 races. She wasn’t able to wire the field two back in a Grade 3 despite setting pedestrian fractions upfront. I just dont trust her in this spot. Use Underneath 

Selections 1-4-3-2

Gulfstream Park Race 10 Game Face Stakes

2 Lennilu has a definitive class edge in here. Filly has been running on the turf lately but trainer Patrick Biancone runs her on the main track where this gal is 1 for 1. I just think this ones class will prevail here. Top Pick

1 Maxitas impressed on debut at Tampa when winning by over 3-lengths. Filly chased a face pace and was even faster in the stretch drive. This Filly could be a good one. Win Contender 

7 Late Night Text finally figured it out and broke her Maiden in her 6th career start while running a lifetime best. Filly ran a 91 dirt Bris number that day which 12 points higher than her previous top. What they put in Oats? If she runs back to that number she’ll be tough in here. Don’t Ignore 

Selections 2-1-7-6

 Santa Anita Race 8 Snow Chief Stakes 

6 Ventry Strand has run two very good second place finishes at this distance and definitely could move forward here. Colt offers a sweet value play at the 9-2 morning line odds. Win Contender 

3 He’s a Knockout is a perfect 2 for 2 to start off his career. Colt stretches out a mile today and faces tougher. His works are sharp and just might carry his speed in this two turn mile. Colt is 6/5 on the morning line. I’ll try to beat this speedball today. Win Contender 

7 Third Beer was last seen finishing an even first versus open company here. Colt should appreciate running versus Cal Breds. The last time he faced Stafe Breds he was victorious. Major Threat 

Selections 6-3-7-2

Today’s Most Likely Winner 

Gulfstream Park Race 10 

#2 Lennilu(8-5)

Today’s Top Value Play

Santa Anita Race 8

#6 Ventry Strand(9-2)