Belmont at the Big A, Keeneland & Santa Anita: Picks For 10/18/25
Belmont at the Big A Race 7 Sands Point Stakes Grade 2
4 Griselda makes her third start of the form cycle for trainer Chad Brown. Filly exits from fourth place finish in the Grade 3 Winter Memories Stakes over this turf course here at the Big A. Filly enters here off two bullet works and should relish the added distance. A move forward today would get the job done with Flavien Prat in the irons. Win Contender
5 Ready for Candy has reeled off two straight victories since switching to the Phil Antonacci barn including a Grade 3 win last out. Any repeat of that effort will make this gal tough to beat as she makes her third start off the bench. Win Contender
7 Paradise City outrun her 27-1 odds when finishing second by just a nostril in the Winter Memories Stakes a month ago. An impressive performance considering it was this Filly’s first run on the turf. She’s been training exceptionally well since and appears to be sitting on another big run for trainer Saffie Joesoph Jr. Major Threat
Selections 4-5-7-6
Keeneland Race 6 Perryville Stakes Grade 3
3 Barnes gets the nod in this evenly matched version of the Grade 3 Perryville Stakes. Colt does his best running at this one turn 7 furlong distance where he is a Grade 2 winner. He sports a tremendous late kick and I’m looking for the #4 and #7 to go at it early to set up this gal’s powerful late run. Top Pick
1 Gaming finally gets back to sprinting after 7 straight route races. Last time this Colt ran at this distance he dominated by over 5-lengths in the Grade 2 San Vicente. Win Contender
5 Captain Cook should be the controlling speed in here but the #4 Owen Almighty might have something to say about that. If this Colt is left alone on the lead, he likely wires this field. Major Threat
Selections 3-1-5-2
Keeneland Race 9 Raven Run Stakes Grade 2
9 Ragtime is a budding superstar who was a neck away from being unbeaten in 4 career starts. Filly exits from off the pace victory in the Grade 3 Dogwood Stakes at Churchill. This gal’s late pace numbers are off the charts and she should get an ideal pace scenario today. Look for Junior Alvarado to run down this field in the stretch drive. Top Pick
2 Vixen has been facing some very tough runners on the turf, aka Nitrogen and Lush Lips. Filly tries the dirt for the first time for trainer Mark Casse. If this filly takes to the dirt she’ll have something to say at the wire. The 20-1 morning line is ridiculously high on this Graded Stakes performer. Live Longshot
8 Usha steps up the class ladder after two back-to-back dominate performances on the West Coast. Filly was last seen defeating weaker by over 5-lengths while clocking in with a triple digit Bris number. Don’t sleep on this Bob Baffert trainee. Win Contender
Selections 9-2-8-10
Santa Anita Race 9 Lure Stakes
6 Sumter hasn’t been able to win on the Del Mar green but this Gelding does his best running right here at Santa Anita. He’s the defending champ of this race and I’m digging the juicy 8-1 morning line. I love that Trainer Richard Mandella removes the eye cups today. Mandella hits at 33% winners when the blinkers come off. Win Contender
4 Endlessly hasn’t seen the winners circle in a long time but has been facing tougher than these. I like the Jockey switch to Rispoli, who has multiple wins on this son of Oscar Performance. This one’s current form doesn’t look great but he has back class and fits well with these. He’ll be motoring in the stretch drive. Win Contender
7 Nesso Lastharrah needs to be careful in getting caught up in a speed duel early. If Jockey Hector Berrios can rate this one just off the pace, I love his chances for the W. Don’t Ignore