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

Belmont Picks- 2024 Pilgrim
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Belmont at the Big A Picks – Race 1
Post Time: 12:05 PM ET; Maiden Special Weight $90k; 1 1/16 M Turf; Field of 9 runners.
- #2 AVIATOR GUI (7-2): Top pick. Comes in with solid form. Fits well with this group.
- #8 DRAGONEER (5-1): Fringe Contender. Demonstrated success under similar conditions. Comes home strong.
- #4 HANDS OF TIME (3-1): Worth a look. May be able to find the right setup.
- #5 THUNDER ROLL (4-1): Fringe Contender. Race shape gives this one an edge.
Selections: 2 – 8 – 4 – 5
Belmont at the Big A Picks – Race 2
Post Time: 12:36 PM ET; Maiden Optional Claiming $70k; 6 F Dirt; Field of 12 runners.
- #5 ENNIS TOWN (9-2): Top pick. Proven competitor at this configuration.
- #8 CHRIS’S REVENGE (6-1): Major Player. Demonstrated success under similar conditions.
- #9 MAN OF MISCHIEF (2-1): Worth a look. Morning Line suggests this colt is all systems go for the first start. Has experience at this level.
- #7 AMERICA’S HONOR (8-1): Fringe Contender. Potential to get the pace of the race flow. Likely to win the battle if challenged in the stretch.
Selections: 5 – 8 – 9 – 7
Belmont at the Big A Picks – Race 3
Post Time: 1:07 PM ET; Claiming $45k; 7 F Dirt; Field of 10 runners.
- #1A STREET JAM (9-5): Top pick. Stamina to outlast the competition. Race sets up perfectly.
- #1 BELLE OF THE BALL (9-5): Major Player. Seems to be up against the right competition. Demonstrated success under similar conditions.
- #9 BACKSTRETCH ROSE (3-1): Contender. Not likely to be short in the stretch. Could jump up in the figures and be dangerous.
- #5 PROGENY (5-2): Contender. Shouldn’t be disadvantaged by the flow of the race. Expect this one to be able to carry the distance.
Selections: 1A – 1 – 9 – 5
Belmont at the Big A Picks – Race 4
Post Time: 1:38 PM ET; Woodward Stakes $400k; 1 1/8 M Dirt; Field of 5 runners.
- #1 SKIPPYLONGSTOCKING (4-5): Top pick. Stamina to outlast the competition. Race sets up perfectly.
- #2 CRUPI (2-1): Major Player. Expected to maintain its energy reserves into the final stretch. Should take a liking to the race shape.
- #3 TAPIT TRICE (5-2): Major Player. May be able to find the right setup. This one’s a fighter in the late stages.
- #4 MASQUEPARADE (10-1): Fringe Contender. Ran at this level last out.
Selections: 1 – 2 – 3 – 4
Belmont at the Big A Picks – Race 5
Post Time: 2:09 PM ET; Allowance Optional Claiming $85k; 1 M Dirt; Field of 8 runners.
- #5 BOURBON CHASE (2-1): Top pick. Stamina to outlast the competition. Proven competitor at this configuration.
- #7 SHADOW DRAGON (7-2): Contender. Stamina to be in the mix late. May be able to take advantage of the pace.
- #4 NEURAL NETWORK (3-1): Contender. Could wear these ones down late. Previous success in similar race types.
- #2 MIGHTY ATLAS (6-1): Fringe Contender. Race conditions fit this one well. Ran at this level last out.
Selections: 5 – 7 – 4 – 2
Belmont at the Big A Picks – Race 6
Post Time: 2:40 PM ET; Joe Hirsch Turf Classic Stakes $500k; 1 1/2 M Turf; Field of 7 runners.
- #7 FAR BRIDGE (7-2): Top pick. Could be ready for a top effort. Should be able to work out a trip.
- #4 WAR LIKE GODDESS (8-5): Major Player. Can run with these. Like this one if a stretch duel ensues.
- #3 EMMANUEL (10-1): Major Player. Previous success in similar race types. Should sit a good trip.
- #6 SILVER KNOTT (2-1): Contender. Recent races are solid. Race conditions fit this one well.
Selections: 7 – 4 – 3 – 6
Belmont at the Big A Picks – Race 7
Post Time: 3:11 PM ET; Maiden Optional Claiming $70k; 6 F Dirt; Field of 11 runners.
- #2 NILO’S ROSE (7-2): Top pick. Proven competitor at this configuration.
- #6 MELLE MEL (9-2): Contender. Should take a liking to the race shape. Likely to take a step forward.
- #9 LINDA’S JEWEL (8-1): Contender. Potentially ready to hit a top number. May be able to find the right setup.
- #5 TECA (6-1): Contender. Ran at this level last out.
Selections: 2 – 6 – 9 – 5
Belmont at the Big A Picks – Race 8
Post Time: 3:43 PM ET; Maiden Special Weight $75k; 6 F Turf; Field of 16 runners.
- #11 VEHEMENTE (9-2): Top pick. Could be ready for a top effort.
- #13 DISCO STAR (5-2): Major Player. Demonstrated success under similar conditions. Comes home strong.
- #1 MISS C BANKER (6-1): Contender. Could wear these ones down late. Should sit a good trip.
- #5 GRACEFUL WARRIOR (10-1): Fringe Contender. Ran at this level last out. Competitive enough in recent efforts.
Selections: 11 – 13 – 1 – 5
Belmont at the Big A Picks – Race 9
Post Time: 4:14 PM ET; Vosburgh Stakes $250k; 7 F Dirt; Field of 7 runners.
- #5 COMEDY TOWN (5-2): Top pick. Comes in with solid form. Proven competitor at this configuration.
- #4 DEAN DELIVERS (4-1): Major Player. Demonstrated success under similar conditions.
- #3 BABY YODA (9-2): Contender. Potential to have this pace fall just right.
- #2 SCOTLAND (7-2): Contender. Ran at this level last out. Should still have enough in the reserves for the final furlong.
Selections: 5 – 4 – 3 – 2
Belmont at the Big A Picks – Race 10
Post Time: 4:45 PM ET; Allowance Optional Claiming $95k; 1 1/16 M Turf; Field of 16 runners.
- #5 TIDAL FORCES (4-1): Top pick. Race sets up perfectly. Stamina to outlast the competition.
- #6 FREEDOM TRAIL (8-1): Major Player. Stamina to be in the mix late.
- #4 DRAKON (15-1): Major Player. Previous success in similar race types. Has experience at this level.
- #7 LINCOLN HAWK (15-1): Contender. Ran at this level last out. Solid turn of foot.
Selections: 5 – 6 – 4 – 7
Belmont at the Big A Picks – Race 11
Post Time: 5:17 PM ET; Pilgrim Stakes $200k; 1 1/16 M Turf; Field of 8 runners.

Longshot Play of the Day
- #8 EARLY ADOPTER (6-1): Longshot play of the day. Should still have something in the tank late. Proven competitor at this configuration. Bet today’s live longshot on MyBookie.
- #4 ZULU KINGDOM (8-5): Major Player. Should still be running strong in the closing stages. Comes home strong.
- #5 CONCORD GREEN (4-1): Major Player. Should find today’s group a bit softer than the last race. Previous success in similar race types.
- #3 WITHOUT CAUTION (8-1): Contender. Potential to get the pace of the race flow. Can compete from a speed figure standpoint.
Selections: 8 – 4 – 5 – 3
Belmont at the Big A Picks – Race 12
Post Time: 5:48 PM ET; Maiden Claiming $35k; 1 M Dirt; Field of 12 runners.

Best Bet of the Card
- #1 PRAIRIE DUNES (7-2): Best bet of the card. Stamina to outlast the competition. Bet today’s best bet with industry-leading rebates on BetOnline.
- #7 YINGLE BELLS (15-1): Contender. Seems to be up against the right competition.
- #12 GUILE (9-2): Worth a look. Could wear these ones down late.
- #3 TAPARINO (10-1): Fringe Contender. Should still have enough in the reserves for the final furlong. Potential to get the pace of the race flow.
Selections: 1 – 7 – 12 – 3
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
- Churchill Downs picks featuring the Grade 3 Ack Ack Stakes (Breeders’ Cup Win and You’re In)
- Belmont at the Big A picks featuring the Grade 2 Pilgrim and Grade 3 Vosburgh Stakes (Breeders’ Cup Win and You’re In)
- Santa Anita picks featuring the Grade 1 California Crown and the Grade 2 City of Hope Stakes (Breeders’ Cup Win and You’re In)
Sunday
- Belmont at the Big A picks featuring the Grade 2 Miss Grillo Stakes (Breeders’ Cup Win and You’re In)
- Remington Park picks featuring the Grade 3 Oklahoma Derby