The racing action from Belmont at the Big A on Saturday features the Athenia Stakes. @HandicappingT3 has all the Belmont at the Big A picks for the entire card!
Full Card Analysis

Belmont Picks- 2024 Athenia Stakes
Bet all of today’s selections with signup bonuses and promotions at BetOnline.
Belmont at the Big A Picks – Race 1
Post Time: 12:10 PM ET; Allowance Optional Claiming $95k; 7 F Dirt; Field of 7 runners.
- #2 LOCKED (4-5): Top pick. Stamina to outlast the competition. Race sets up perfectly.
- #7 COSTA TERRA (7-2): Major Player. Demonstrated success under similar conditions. Should take a liking to the race shape.
- #5 BRAMITO (6-1): Contender. Has experience at this level. Not likely to be short in the stretch.
- #4 GUN IT (9-2): Fringe Contender. Race conditions fit this one well. Shouldn’t be disadvantaged by the flow of the race.
Selections: 2 – 7 – 5 – 4
Belmont at the Big A Picks – Race 2
Post Time: 12:41 PM ET; Claiming $40k; 1 M Dirt; Field of 9 runners.
- #4 WHISKEY N SODA (4-1): Top pick. Fits well with this group. Love the heart this one shows in a fight.
- #1A PROVE WORTHY (5-2): Major Player. Demonstrated success under similar conditions. Should take a liking to the race shape.
- #7 COOL OPERATOR (9-2): Worth a look. Has experience at this level. Potential to have this pace fall just right.
- #6 SMILE MON (3-1): Fringe Contender. Race conditions fit this one well.
Selections: 4 – 1A – 7 – 6
Belmont at the Big A Picks – Race 3
Post Time: 1:13 PM ET; Awad Stakes $150k; 1 1/16 M Turf; Field of 8 runners.

Best Bet of the Card
- #1 CONCORD GREEN (9-2): Best bet of the card. Could be ready for a top effort. Looks good based on the 74 speed rating which is among the top in the group. Bet today’s best bet with industry-leading rebates on BetOnline.
- #2 SURFSIDE MOON (12-1): Contender. Like this one if a stretch duel ensues.
- #4 VALUATION METRIC (5-2): Contender. Could jump up in the figures and be dangerous. Could wear these ones down late.
- #6 FULLY AUTHORIZED (8-1): Fringe Contender. Race conditions fit this one well. Can compete from a speed figure standpoint.
Selections: 1 – 2 – 4 – 6
Belmont at the Big A Picks – Race 4
Post Time: 1:45 PM ET; Maiden Claiming $46k; 1 1/16 M Turf; Field of 16 runners.

Longshot Play of the Day
- #15 FOCUS POCUS (6-1): Longshot play of the day. Proven competitor at this configuration. Bet today’s live longshot on MyBookie.
- #10 OUR FINEST HOUR (5-1): Major Player. Comes home strong. Potentially cycling to a top performance.
- #14 LOOKING FOR GINNY (9-2): Major Player.
- #1 STREET VIEW (7-2): Major Player. Expect this one to be able to carry the distance. Potential to get the pace of the race flow.
Selections: 15 – 10 – 14 – 1
Belmont at the Big A Picks – Race 5
Post Time: 2:20 PM ET; Allowance Optional Claiming $92k; 1 1/8 M Dirt; Field of 9 runners.
- #8 CINDERELLA’S CAUSE (9-2): Top pick. Fits well with this group.
- #1 CAMERA (3-1): Contender. May be able to take advantage of the pace. Demonstrated success under similar conditions.
- #4 MY SHEA D LADY (8-1): Contender. Previous success in similar race types. The 91 speed rating is among the best in the field.
- #5 FADE TO GREY (9-2): Contender. Race conditions fit this one well. Ran at this level last out.
Selections: 8 – 1 – 4 – 5
Belmont at the Big A Picks – Race 6
Post Time: 2:48 PM ET; Starter Allowance $65k; 1 M Dirt; Field of 11 runners.
- #7 HAVE YOU HEARD (8-1): Top pick. Fits well with this group. Race sets up perfectly.
- #9 UNLIMITEDPOTENTIAL (9-2): Major Player. Seems to be up against the right competition. Likely to get forward position.
- #3 TREATY OBLIGATION (3-1): Major Player. Has experience at this level. This one’s a fighter in the late stages.
- #6 WAITLIST (7-2): Fringe Contender. Race shape gives this one an edge.
Selections: 7 – 9 – 3 – 6
Belmont at the Big A Picks – Race 7
Post Time: 3:18 PM ET; Maiden Special Weight $75k; 1 1/16 M Turf; Field of 16 runners.
- #6 DEEMER (3-1): Top pick. Should still have something in the tank late. Proven competitor at this configuration.
- #13 REAL SAVVY (7-2): Major Player. Should still be running strong in the closing stages. Speed figures match this group well.
- #12 JUST CLARITY (15-1): Contender. Has experience at this level.
- #16 SKY MASTERSON (5-1): Contender. Can compete from a speed figure standpoint. Potential to get the pace of the race flow.
Selections: 6 – 13 – 12 – 16
Belmont at the Big A Picks – Race 8
Post Time: 3:52 PM ET; Claiming $58k; 6 F Dirt; Field of 11 runners.
- #1 DAUFUSKIE ISLAND (3-1): Top pick. Love the heart this one shows in a fight.
- #2 CEES GET DEGREES (5-1): Major Player. Should take a liking to the race shape.
- #4 SECRET RULES (7-2): Major Player. Hard to argue with the recent races. Potential to have this pace fall just right.
- #1X DANGEROUS RIDE (3-1): Fringe Contender. Ran at this level last out.
Selections: 1 – 2 – 4 – 1X
Belmont at the Big A Picks – Race 9
Post Time: 4:21 PM ET; Allowance Optional Claiming $95k; 1 3/16 M Turf; Field of 12 runners.
- #1 DAUNT (6-1): Top pick. Looks good based on the 92 speed rating which is among the top in the group. Solid closing kick.
- #3 MCCULLOUGH (4-1): Contender. Potentially cycling to a top performance. Should take a liking to the race shape.
- #2 MONDEGO (9-2): Worth a look. Likely to maintain its stamina reserves for a strong finish. Previous success in similar race types.
- #5 PIONEERING SPIRIT (7-2): Fringe Contender. Race conditions fit this one well.
Selections: 1 – 3 – 2 – 5
Belmont at the Big A Picks – Race 10
Post Time: 4:52 PM ET; Athenia Stakes $150k; 1 1/8 M Turf; Field of 11 runners.
- #7 PAPILIO (4-1): Top pick. Race sets up perfectly. Solid closing kick.
- #1 TUFANI (8-1): Major Player. Seems to be up against the right competition. Like this one if a stretch duel ensues.
- #6 PREREQUISITE (3-1): Contender. Potentially ready to hit a top number. Not likely to be short in the stretch.
- #4 CHILD OF THE MOON (5-1): Contender. Competitive enough in recent efforts. Race conditions fit this one well.
Selections: 7 – 1 – 6 – 4
Belmont at the Big A Picks – Race 11
Post Time: 5:21 PM ET; Claiming $45k; 1 M Dirt; Field of 11 runners.
- #7 FIRST GLIMPSE (3-1): Top pick. Fits well with this group. Proven competitor at this configuration.
- #6 MASON MANIA (4-1): Major Player. Demonstrated success under similar conditions. Like this one if a stretch duel ensues.
- #1 WINTER’S GHOST (5-1): Contender. Has experience at this level. Previous success in similar race types.
- #11 BLAKE B. (9-2): Contender. Ran at this level last out. Potential to get the pace of the race flow.
Selections: 7 – 6 – 1 – 11
Belmont at the Big A Picks – Race 12
Post Time: 5:50 PM ET; Allowance $92k; 6 F Turf; Field of 13 runners.
- #9 REFLEXIVITY (8-1): Top pick. Proven competitor at this configuration. Should be able to work out a trip.
- #7 LA SALVADORENA (4-1): Major Player. Looks fast enough off previous efforts. Like this one if a stretch duel ensues.
- #4 MZ BIG BUCKS (4-1): Contender. The 85 speed rating is among the best in the field. Could wear these ones down late.
- #8 OBSTREPEROUS (6-1): Fringe Contender. May be getting a weaker field than last out. Solid turn of foot.
Selections: 9 – 7 – 4 – 8
Betting News Horse Racing Coverage
Don’t miss all the horse racing action covered by Betting News each and every week. Coverage includes free handicapping tools, comprehensive guides, and in-depth analysis of the week’s biggest cards. Check out our full card analysis for this week’s upcoming big races:
Saturday
- Belmont at the Big A picks featuring the Athenia Stakes
- Keeneland picks featuring the Grade 2 Lexus Raven Run and the Grade 3 Perryville
- Santa Anita Picks featuring the Lure Stakes
- Woodbine Picks featuring the Grade 3 Ontario Derby
Sunday
- Keeneland picks featuring the Grade 3 Rood and Riddle Dowager Stakes