HORSE RACING

​Belmont Park Horse Racing Picks for Sunday 9/20/20

It's a great time to dive into horse racing, and FanDuel Racing gives you the chance to do just that.

Starting at 1:00 p.m. EST, we have 10 races at Belmont Park. Using numberFire's projections as a guide, here are some of the best bets.

As always, check the program for scratches and changes, and check the weather and track conditions.

(I will reference Equibase's Speed Figure in selected races, which tells you how fast a horse has been running in each of its races -- adjusted for track, distances, and conditions.)

Little Red Button and Lucky Latkes, Race 5

FanDuel Racing Odds: 12/1 and 5/1

Race 5 is a Maiden Claiming race for state bred fillies and mares going one mile, and numberFire’s algorithm likes Kept Waiting (2/1) off the also-eligible list. She’s not likely to get into the starting gate, so numberFire projects Two Cent Tootsie (3/1) as the next best option.

Two Cent Tootsie is 0-for-14 and winless in five starts in 2020. Her speed figures have all been in the 70s this year, which is good enough against this group of 12 runners. She does drop in class and has consistent form.

Courted (4/1) and Lucky Latkes (5/1) figure to attract some support, and Lucky Latkes can save ground on the rail with top jockey Manny Franco trying to guide her to an in-the-money finish. She’s healthy and strings races together having posted her best speed figure of 70 in her third start last month.

Following a longshot winner here yesterday in Race 7 at closing odds of 8/1, we'll try another one with Little Red Button (12/1), who has shown late closing speed in sprints. She can do better at this one-mile distance returning to the turf. Little Red Button has raced twice in August, including once at this distance in her best race when running up closer to the lead to finish third just 1 1/4 lengths behind.

Wild Medagliad'oro, Race 8

FanDuel Racing Odds: 7/2

Race 8 is a 6-furlong Allowance race on the Turf, and Daily Horse Picks projects favorite French Reef (8/5) to win for EPO trainer Chad Brown. He’s the horse to beat off a dazzling and dominant frontrunning Saratoga maiden win in July. A jockey change to strong Joel Rosario, and French Reef now faces a tough group of runners, including Fiya (5/2), who makes his first start for new connections as a high-priced purchase last year. He’s won twice on turf in two starts this year, including in July with a 105 speed figure.

Two longshots are projected to win or hit the board by numberFire, as Yes and Yes (15/1) and Chilly in Charge (8/1) could pay off big in Exacta and Trifecta wagering. Yes and Yes will likely be running on or near the lead in an expected fast pace. Chilly in Charge makes his 2020 debut and has yet to win on the turf.

Wild Medagliad’oro (7/2) is well trained and positioned by Mark Casse with John Velazquez riding. He’s in good health with a win and three in-the-money finishes this year with consistent 90-plus speed figures.

Lead Guitar and Madeleine Must, Race 9

FanDuel Racing Odds: 7/2 and 5/2

Race 9 is an Allowance race for fillies and mares sprinting 6 furlongs. The Chad Brown-trained favorite Olendon (9/5) will likely be heavily bet at a short price, but she failed as the odds-on favorite last race. This is an easier group of nine rivals, but let's try to beat her.

The top pick of numberFire is Madeleine Must (5/2) while Daily Horse Picks projects Tiple (6/1) and jockey Manny Franco to win followed by Madeleine Must, who is a closer and tries a shorter distance in her third U.S. start.

Lead Guitar (7/2) fits in this field but still has to run better than her last race, when she beat state breds. Her five previous races all produced better 90-plus speed figures, and a return to original trainer George Weaver is positive, as is Luis Saez riding her again. Guaranteed Tip Sheet makes Lead Guitar a best bet.