After a Super Saturday that saw dominant victories from a pair of talented juveniles in U.S.S. Valor and Hughes, there is another big day of thoroughbred action across the world. The Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe is the headliner overseas and Keeneland has a pair of Breeders’ Cup win and you’re in events, but do not snooze on the cards at Belmont and Santa Anita Park. Here are a pair of horses I like at each venue to close the racing week.


Belmont Race 5:
My first play of the day comes in this $110k allowance event at 1 1/16-miles over the main track where I landed on #5 Tip Top Thomas. The son of Volatile has raced twice as a 4YO for trainer Todd Pletcher, including last out in the Forego (G1) where he set the pace while taking pressure throughout from his inside draw leading to a disappointing fifth-place finish. Pletcher opts to stretch Tip Top Thomas back out in distance to a configuration that should accentuate his strengths. He was at his best last year in 1 1/16-miles races at two-turns and at the one-turn mile at Aqueduct, so the one-turn 8.5-furlong run at Belmont Park should be perfect. The $160k FTK October ’23 purchase needs to avoid getting caught up in an early battle, but if he does, he should make his first trip to the winner’s circle in 2026.

Play: #5 Tip Top Thomas (3-1 ML)
Picks: 5-3-6


Belmont Race 7:
There is a serious lack of early speed signed on in this state-bred first-level allowance event at 1 1 1/16-miles over the Belmont sod. I am hopeful it is #4 Silly Season who takes advantage. The daughter of Constitution makes her fifth lifetime start for trainer Chad Brown after being mid-pack throughout in a common race with many of her rivals on September 3 won on the front end by a lone speed runner. Brown added the blinkers two starts back and it has led to improved speed from this Lawrence Golchman homebred. If jockey Sammy Marin opts to use his filly’s tactical speed and the fact she draws inside others that are likely to attempt to prominent early, he should have plenty left late exiting a pair of nine-furlong races at Saratoga. The fact Brown also sends out 5-2-ML favorite #8 Factory Setting should help our price.

Play: #4 Silly Season (5-1 ML)
Picks: 4-6-8


Santa Anita Race 8:
This first-level allowance for fillies and mares at one-mile over the Santa Anita lawn kicks off the $3 15% takeout late Pick 3 and appears quite playable if #5 Delightful Laura goes off at or below her 2-1-ML price. Sure, the Uncle Mo filly has a chance to control the pace, but she has before and has been unable to seal the deal other than against $62,500 maiden claimers in August ‘25. She also has not raced since February making her vulnerable despite getting a major rider upgrade to Juan Hernandez. I will try to run her and the rest of the field down late with #7 Hannah Buckle. Trainer John Sadler is off to a great start to the Autumn Meet striking with 3 of 9 runners thus far for a $4.82 ROI. The veteran conditioner claimed this 5YO mare from Leonard Powell off a win against similar at Del Mar in early August. She should be finishing strong once again under jockey Armando Ayuso.

Play: #7 Hannah Buckle (9-2 ML)
Picks: 7-1-4


Santa Anita Race 10:
My final play of the day comes in this six-furlong dash over the turf for state-bred 2YO MSW fillies where I will try second-time starter #6 Bel Air Blintzcess. The daughter of Eight Rings debuted on August 30 in a five-furlong event over the Del Mar grass where she got out of the gate slow and was up against it from there in a race dominated by those who were prominent in the early stages. Trainer Mark Glatt retains the services of Emisael Jaramillo as he stretches this filly out a furlong after the disappointing sixth-place finish on debut. Hopefully, the strong front running Jaramillo can get her out of the gate in better order after gaining invaluable racing experience last out. Her 6-1-ML offering makes her worth a gamble in the Sunday finale.

Play: #6 Bel Air Blintzcess (6-1 ML)
Picks: 6-2-9