Nick Tammaro’s Belmont at the Big A Selections & Analysis – Thursday, September 19, 2024

BELMONT AT THE BIG A ANALYSIS – 9/19/2024

RACE 1: 3-7-1-2

#3 EVIE’S PRINCE bids to make it two straight off a win at Saratoga.

RACE 2: 2-4-5-6

#2 SHERIFF BIANCO cuts back in distance after coming up wanting last time out at the Spa against NY bred stake company.  There’s a reasonable chance this son of Speightster has always been at his best sprinting and he figures to get a decent enough setup here from just off the pace.  This is another opportunity for him to offer some value at the windows as well.

RACE 3: 1A-3-1-2

#1A PASSIVE MANAGEMENT is supposed to win this race after coming up short last time out at sub-even money.  He has been very good in two prior starts and has the edge of an entry mate to help get Chad Brown the win here.  Getting more involved early would help his chances as he allowed the eventual wire-to-wire winner a sizable early advantage last time out.

RACE 4: 3-5-7-2B

#3 ST ANDREWS is a very likely winner here shortening up in distance in a fast paced race.  He went too far last time out and understandably came up short late.  The mile trip is ideal for him and the expected pace in here will work in his favor.  If you can get 4-1 or so on him, he is a very good bet.

RACE 5: 5-9-8-1

#5 ELLIPTIC had dead aim on the leaders last time out and flopped late.  She has improved since being claimed by Bill Morey and is a candidate to run a career best from a speed figure perspective given that pattern.  The pace scenario in here will work in her favor as she can sit off the pace and pounce when ready.

RACE 6: 8-9-3-1

#8 EGYPTIAN QUEST is making his second start in for a tag for trainer Kate DeMasi and gets Irad Ortiz, Jr. this time around. That will crush his price at the windows given the support generally garnered by Irad’s mounts.  He was a good 3^rd two starts back going 5 panels at Monmouth and this distance should suit him very nicely.

RACE 7: 2-10-6-9

#2 FRONT MAN was too close to a hot pace at 11 panels last time out at the Spa and now shortens up in distance.  This trip suits him much better and he lures Flavien Prat once again for this engagement.  There’s plenty of speed signed up and he has a cozy inside post from which he can save ground and pounce late.

RACE 8: 9-7-5-6

All signs point to #9 CAROL T being really interesting here given that she was too close to the pace last time out.  She is likely getting a strong pace to run at this afternoon and figures to be a square price at the windows this afternoon.  The move back to Aqueduct also helps her chances given that she has been at her best at the Big A.

RACE 9: 7-5-9-2

Trainer Christophe Clement is debuting #7 SILENT DREAMER here and she is the first foal to race out of Grade I winner Celestine.  This barn is 20% with 2YO firsters on turf in MSW races sprinting over the last 5 years ($2.38 ROI) and this gal has been training forwardly for the unveiling.  The price should be fair to in a competitive heat.

BELMONT AT THE BIG A 2024 STATS: 30-9-6-1                   $64.60