Belmont Park Race Picks - Thursday's Running of the Poker Stakes (June 5, 2025)

It's race day at Saratoga Race Course, and today's card is stacked! We've got all the hot picks for every race, so let's dive in. Remember, you can bet on all these selections with signup bonuses and promotions at BetOnline.

Belmont at Saratoga

Don't be fooled by the name – this meet is Belmont in spirit only. Racing will take place at Saratoga while final preparations are underway for the new Belmont Park. When handicapping, keep in mind that all track profiles will match Saratoga, not Belmont.

Full Card Analysis

Thursday Picks

Saratoga Race Course Picks - Race 1

#3 MYTHICAL (8-5): Our top pick. Favorable class relief in this spot. The race is set up perfectly.
#5 ROMEO (9-5): A major player. Proven success under similar conditions. Romeo should take a liking to the race shape.
#4 MERCILESANIHILATOR (4-1): A contender. Potential to have this pace fall just right.
#2 BLINGING IT BACK (3-1): A fringe contender. Likely to win the battle if challenged in the stretch.

Selections: 3 - 5 - 4 - 2The Plays:* Win: #3 at 7-5* Exacta: 3/2,4

Saratoga Race Course Picks - Race 2

#8 TIME STONE (5-1): Our longshot play of the day. We love this one's heart in a fight. Bet today's live longshot on MyBookie.
#4 HIDEAWAY (3-1): A major player. Expected to maintain its energy reserves into the final stretch.
#5 FIRE'S OUT (9-2): A major player. Has experience at this level.
#11 I'M VERY SWEET (7-2): A major player. Chad Brown on the turf at Saratoga.

Selections: 8 - 4 - 5 - 11The Plays:* Win: #8 at 5-2* Exacta Key Box: 8/4,5,11* Trifecta: 4,8/4,5,8/4,5,8,11

Saratoga Race Course Picks - Race 3

#3 SASSY C W (8-5): A prime player. Should improve off the debut.
#2 GENA B (2-1): A fringe contender. Demonstrated success under similar conditions.
#6 VERNON VALLEY (2-1): Underdog. Could jump up in the figures.
#4 TICKET TO RIDE (10-1): Underdog. Race conditions fit.

Selections: 3 - 2 - 6 - 4The Plays:* Win:#3 at 8-5* Exacta: 8/4

Saratoga Race Course Picks - Race 4

#7 SOL HOPE (4-1): Our top pick. Fits well with this group.
#9 LA SALVADORENA (9-2): A major player. Up against the right competition.
#4 TALES OF THE HEART (3-1): A major player. Could wear them down late.
#6 SOLOSHOT (12-1): A contender. Should still have something left in the tank.

Selections: 7 - 9 - 4 - 6The Plays:* Win:#7 at 2-1* Exacta: 7/4,6,9* Trifecta: 7/4,9/4,6,9

Saratoga Race Course Picks - Race 5

#12 HELLO BEAUTY (3-1): A prime win player. Fits well with this group.
#5 NONNA LYNNE (7-2): A contender. Looks to get an easier group.
#4 WILL OF A WOMANNE (8-1): A contender. Hard to argue with recent efforts.
#2B BRYANT AND COOPER (8-1): A contender. May be getting a weaker field.

Selections: 12 - 5 - 4 - 2BThe Plays:* Win: #12 at 2-1* Exacta: 12/4,2B* Trifecta: 12/4,5,2B/4,5,2B* Pick 3 (races 5-7): 5,12/1,7,8,10/2

Saratoga Race Course Picks - Race 6

#8 VELVET VORTEX (2-1): Top pick. Proven at this configuration.
#10 MURSAL (10-1): A major player. Good race flow.
#1 OUR LIBERTY BELLE (8-1): A major player. Late running ability.
#7 PURE BEAUTY (6-1): A major player. May be facing a softer group.

Selections: 8 - 10 - 1 - 7The Plays:* Win:#8 at 3-2* Exacta: 8/1,7,10* Trifecta: 8/1,7,10 /1,7,10

Saratoga Race Course Picks - Race 7

#2 FUTURE IS NOW (2-1): Best bet of the card. The race may setup perfectly. Bet today's best bet with industry-leading rebates on BetOnline.
#6 PIPSY (6-1): A contender. Good race flow.
#5 TWIRLING QUEEN (8-1): A contender. Finds softer group today.
#1 PANDORA'S GIFT (3-1): A contender. Clement is the leading trainer.

Selections: 2 - 6 - 5 - 1The Plays:* Win: #2 at 1-1* Exacta: 2/5,6* Trifecta: 2/5,6/1,5,6

Saratoga Race Course Picks - Race 8

#8 FILM STAR (7-2): Top pick. Race setup looks favorable.
#1 CASTLE CHAOS (6-1): A major player. Productive recent form.
#4 WILLY D'S (9-2): A major player. Proven in similar setups.
#2 SURFACE TO AIR (8-1): A contender. Conditions fit well.

Selections: 8 - 1 - 4 - 2The Plays:* Win: #8 at 5-2* Exacta: 8/1,2,4* Daily Double (races 8-9): 1,4,8/2

Saratoga Race Course Picks - Race 9

#2 INTELLECT (5-1): Live longshot. Solid closing kick.
#8 DONEGAL MOMENTUM (5-1): A contender. Productive recent form.
#9 YO DADDY (5-2): A contender. Strong recent figures.
#1 CAMEO PERFORMANCE (3-1): A contender. Could be peaking now.

Selections: 2 - 8 - 9 - 1The Plays:* Win: #2 at 3-1* Exacta Box: 2,8,9

Saratoga Race Course Picks - Race 10

#10 JUST SO PRETTY (7-2): Prime win player. Proven competitor at this configuration.
#6 MORE FOR SURE (10-1): Contender. Looks to get the right pace setup here.
#2 DANDY VANDY (12-1): Worth a look. Proven at the configuration.
#5 BINT AL DANDY (8-1): Underdog. Comes into the race in good form.

Selections: 10 - 6 - 2 - 5The Plays:* Win: #10 at 5-2* Exacta: 10/2,5,6* Trifecta: 10/2,5,6/2,5,6

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Thursday Analysis

Belmont at Saratoga Picks featuring the Grade 3 Poker Stakes
Sports enthusiasts gearing up for a thrilling race day at the Saratoga Race Course can look forward to horse-racing events, as the scheduled Belmont Race comes under the auspices of Saratoga this time. Keep in mind that while the race is named Belmont, it will actually be held at Saratoga Race Course, with Belmont Park undergoing final preparations.
With the Thursday card at Saratoga Race Course lined up, the focus is on race 1, where #3 MYTHICAL (8-5) is the top pick for handicappers. This horse is favored for class relief in this specific race. The race shape seems perfect for MYTHICAL to oust a strong contender like #5 ROMEO (9-5), who boasts proven success under similar conditions. Contenders like #4 MERCILESANIHILATOR (4-1) and #2 BLINGING IT BACK (3-1) are also in the race, making for an exciting competition.

Belmont Park Race Picks - Thursday's Running of the Poker Stakes (June 5, 2025)

Belmont Park Race Picks - Thursday's Running of the Poker Stakes (June 5, 2025)

Belmont at Saratoga