Horse Racing Predictions: Belmont Park Preview, Odds, and Picks (June 9)

• Huge day of horse racing at action at Belmont Park on Friday, June 9
• Friday kicks off the Belmont Stakes weekend in New York

A thrilling weekend of horse racing action lies in wait this weekend, as the Belmont Stakes rounds off the Triple Crown action in New York on Saturday. However, before then, there are six graded stakes races on the card on Friday, June 9, including the New York Stakes, Belmont Gold Cup, and the Acorn Stakes. You can find our latest horse racing predictions below.

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Schedule and How To Watch

• When: Friday, June 9, 2023
• Where: Belmont Park, New York
• How To Watch: FanDuel TV

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Just A Game Stakes

Odds

Horse	Odds
In Italian	-200
Spendarella	+200
Wakanaka	+800
Speak of the Devil	+1000
New Year’s Eve	+1200

Latest odds taken from an offshore sportsbook.

Race Preview

The grade 1 action at Belmont on Friday kicks off with the Just a Game Stakes, run over a mile on the turf by fillies and mares. In Italian sets the standard for Chad Brown, having returned to action with a stunning display in the G1 Jenny Wiley. The step back to a mile shouldn’t be an issue, having landed the G1 First Lady last year. However, she was beaten in the G1 Just a Game 12 months ago.

The winner on that day was Wakanaka for William Mott. This five-year-old has been slightly disappointing on her two starts this year, which includes a fourth in the G2 Distaff Turf Mile behind Fluffy Socks and Spendarella. The latter is easily the value angle this weekend, as she should come on from that run after being off the track before then since August. A chance will be taking on the Graham Motion runner on Friday.

Horse Racing Predictions

READ MORE: Belmont Stakes Prediction, Preview, and Odds (June 10)

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New York Stakes

Odds

Horse	Odds
War Like Goddess	+120
With The Moonlight	+450
Didia	+500
Marketsegemtation	+600
McKulick	+800
Shantisara	+800
Virginia Joy	+1500
Flirting Bridge	+2000

Latest odds taken from an offshore sportsbook.

Race Preview

Next up we have the G1 New York Stakes, which is run over a mile and a quarter on the turf. This is a fascinating race in prospect, and the betting will be headed by War Like Goddess for William Mott. The six-year-old returned to action with a great success in the G3 Bewitch, and was a winner on her only previous start at Belmont.

Charlie Appelby’s record in the U.S. is hard to ignore, but a wide draw could be a concern for With The Moonlight, who was last seen finishing a distant sixth in the G2 Dahlia Stakes at Newmarket. The recent Godolphin strike-rate would also be a concern.

The Frankel filly gets it done! McKulick (GB) making moves with @iradortiz up to win the Belmont Oaks (G1)! #BelmontPark pic.twitter.com/4v44veAKcc

— NYRA (🌳) (@TheNYRA) July 9, 2022

Therefore, a value chance will be taken on McKulick. The four-year-old is still improving, and will be boosted by a solid draw this weekend. She landed the Jockey Club Oaks at Belmont last year, before running an excellent race to take second in the G1 QE Challenge Cup. She also beat With The Moonlight at Belmont last year in the G1 Belmont Oaks.

Horse Racing Predictions

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Acorn Stakes

Odds

Horse	Odds
Munnys Gold	+180
Pretty Mischievous	+200
Randomized	+500
Accede	+800
Goodgirl Badhabits	+1000
Dorth Vader	+1000
Occuit	+1200
Frosty O Toole	+2000

Latest odds taken from an offshore sportsbook.

Race Preview

The final Grade 1 on Friday will be the Acorn Stakes, run by fillies aged three over 1 1/16 miles. The battle for favoritism for this race will be fascinating, and there is a clear gulf in quality between the top two and the remaining runners in the field.

Pretty Mischievous is certainly the contender to beat for trainer Brendan Walsh after landing success in the G1 Kentucky Oaks on her previous start. That run scored a career-best figure of 94, but she will carry a penalty following that win this weekend.

PRETTY MISCHIEVOUS winning the Kentucky Oaks = Groom going wild 😝 #kyderby pic.twitter.com/O7dQUOzKI2

— World Horse Racing (@WHR) May 6, 2023

That certainly looks to play into the hands of Munnys Gold. The Todd Pletcher runner achieved a sensational speed figure of 115 when winning the Sophomore Fillies over seven furlongs in March, before finishing second in the G2 Eight Belles. This step up in trip could be needed this weekend, and we think she could be primed for a big run.

Horse Racing Predictions

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Belmont Gold Cup

Odds

Horse	Odds
Siskany	+160
Amazing Grace	+600
Channel Maker	+800
High Definition	+800
The Grey Wizard	+1000
Strong Tide	+1000
Cross Border	+1200
Tide of the Sea	+1200
L’Imperator	+1500
Barbados	+3000
British Royalty	+3000
Tartini	+3000
Cibolian	+3000

Latest odds taken from an offshore sportsbook.

Race Preview

Despite being a Grade 2, the big betting race of the day comes in the form of the Belmont Gold Cup. This race is run over a marathon distance of two miles on the turf, and there is no shortage of leading contenders.

Appleby-trained Siskany looks to be a top choice. The five-year-old was last seen finishing fifth in the G2 Yorkshire Cup, while he was also second over this distance behind Broome earlier in the year in the G2 Dubai Gold Cup. However, his price is a little on the skinny side for our liking.

https://twitter.com/mark_milligan73/status/1665444020665950208?s=20

One play that I like this weekend is for one-time Epsom Derby favorite High Definition. The Joseph O’Brien runner was sent for a campaign over jumps last season with mixed results, but his final effort in Ireland did show sparks of a recovery, and he is one that will truly love this stamina test after running over this distance throughout the National Hunt calendar in the United Kingdom and Ireland.

Amazing Grace would also be a play this weekend for Christophe Clement. The five-year-old mare will get weight from many of her rivals this weekend, and she was excellent earlier in the season when landing the G3 Orchid over 1 ½ miles at Gulfstream. This extra distance is certainly to suit, and the German-bred runner stands every chance.

Horse Racing Predictions