Raymond Track Report – Friday, October 17, 2025

Happy Friday, horseplayers! Today’s cards serve up a little bit of everything: Keeneland class, Belmont turf trickery, and Gulfstream chaos (the fun kind). Below you’ll find my race-by-race notes written for the everyday bettor—plain English, a few laughs, and clear ticket ideas. Remember: we’re here to enjoy the sweat, not to chase the rent. 🍀

🐎 KEENELAND (Post 1:00 PM ET)

R1 – 6f Dirt (Maiden Claiming)
Good starting spot for value shoppers. Nana Grace (5) looks ready to pounce; pair her with the short priced Our Shenanigan (8) and rail-savvy Army Nurse (1). Longshot spice: Hampton’s Affair (2) if the pace melts.
Picks: 5-8-1 (Joker: 2) • Exacta: 5/8 box • Tri: 5/8/1 box

R2 – 1⅛m Dirt (Claiming)
Grinder’s route. Vino Couragio (5) can out-stay them at a price; Daryl’s Bolt (3) fits the trip; Schifty’s Haloid (4) keeps you safe. Iron Sharpens Iron (1) is the obvious class—but short.
Picks: 5-3-4 (Joker: 1) • Exacta: 5/3 box • Tri: 5/3/4 box

R3 – 7f Dirt (MSW)
Don’t be shy—bombs win these. Señora d’Oro (9) has the look; Ashes and Diamonds (1) is the rail sleeper; Plaza Cue (7) is the chalk you include to stay solvent.
Picks: 9-1-7 (Joker: 2) • Exacta: 9/1 box • Tri: 9/1/7 box

R4 – 5½f Turf (MSW)
Trip wins it. Ocala Gala (9) gets first run; Miss Soothsayer (7) closes; Cardiff Reef (4) rounds it out. If Lion Lake (2) gets a clean split, don’t say I didn’t warn you.
Picks: 9-7-4 (Joker: 2) • Exacta: 9/7 box • Tri: 9/7/4 box

R5 – 6f Dirt (Claiming)
Price heaven. Atlantic Passage (11) and Tiz Purple (3) are your value hooks; Who’s Madie (6) keeps the ticket honest. If Romantic Dancer (10) wakes up, we’ll all politely applaud.
Picks: 11-3-6 (Joker: 4) • Exacta: 11/3 box • Tri: 11/3/6 box

R6 – 6f Dirt (Claiming)
Speed with stamina. Tre Dita (7) is the line-through horse if last was a set-up; Viggiedal (8) is the sneaky overlay; Army Girl (3) for the underneath grind.
Picks: 7-8-3 (Joker: 4) • Exacta: 7/8 box • Tri: 7/8/3 box

R7 – 5½f Turf (MSW)
Chaos sprint; embrace it. Runs On Dreams (3) can finish; I B Flyin (1) needs the seam; Riotous (4) fits the flow. Yes, the chalk Paris Twilight (9) is good—no, you don’t have to single.
Picks: 3-1-4 (Joker: 9) • Exacta: 3/1 box • Tri: 3/1/4 box

Pro tip: Turf sprints are like airport coffee—unpredictable and somehow still expensive. Keep tickets small and spread a touch. ☕

R8 – 1 1/16m Dirt (MSW)
Foundation race. Aeolian (8) offers upside; Indict (3) is improving; Endorse (7) is the safety net. Delicious Diva (5) can clunk up late at a price.
Picks: 8-3-7 (Joker: 5) • Exacta: 8/3 box • Tri: 8/3/7 box

R9 – 5½f Turf (Allowance)
Price-play finale. Surf City (9) has the pop; Monsieur Candy (5) has the trip; Chromed Impulse (11) is your board bomber. Butch’s Best (1) protects multis.
Picks: 9-5-11 (Joker: 1) • Exacta: 9/5 box • Tri: 9/5/11 box

R10 – 7f Dirt (Starter Alw)
Finish strong. Suited and Booted (1) from the rail with options; Okie Clipper (7) could blow up the tote; Nation (6) is reliable. Incursion (10) is your insurance policy.
Picks: 1-7-6 (Joker: 10) • Exacta: 1/7 box • Tri: 1/7/6 box

Keeneland Early Pick 3 idea (R1-R3): 5,8 / 5,3 / 9,1,7
Late Pick 3 idea (R8-R10): 8,3,7 / 9,5,11 / 1,7

🌿 BELMONT AT THE BIG A (Post 1:10 PM ET)

R1 – 6f Outer Turf (Allowance)
If your app shows Thirteen Red Flags (3) at 30-1, that’s not a warning—it’s an invitation. Anchor with Nina Kay (10) and Alpine Giant (4).
Picks: 3-10-4 (Joker: 5) • Exacta: 3/10 box • Tri: 3/10/4 box

R2 – 6f Dirt (Mdn Clm)
Honest bunch. Essentially Fast (5) is, well, essentially fast; Always Honest (6) keeps grinding; Twisted Banker (4) gives you a price.
Picks: 5-6-4 (Joker: 3) • Exacta: 5/6 box • Tri: 5/6/4 box

R3 – 6f Dirt (Mdn Clm)
Shop value. My Devine One (7) on the upswing; Shining Silver (8) for spice; Golden Miracle (2) is the sneaky underneath.
Picks: 7-8-2 (Joker: 6) • Exacta: 7/8 box • Tri: 7/8/2 box

R4 – 1 3/16m Outer Turf (Alw OC)
Stamina test. Dominican Pioneer (4) is the number; Dear Dad (1) makes sense from the rail; Catch a Wave (3) has the right cadence.
Picks: 4-1-3 (Joker: 5) • Exacta: 4/1 box • Tri: 4/1/3 box

R5 – 1m Dirt (MSW)
Classic Belmont maiden. Credit History (4) should graduate; Silent Scheme (6) is the trip horse; Geostoblame (2) has some upside.
Picks: 4-6-2 (Joker: 5) • Exacta: 4/6 box • Tri: 4/6/2 box

R6 – 1m Dirt (Mdn Clm)
Looking for a form pop. Kaz Ice Changer (6) over Sea Shepherd (7) and Carlin Contention (4).
Picks: 6-7-4 (Joker: 8) • Exacta: 6/7 box • Tri: 6/7/4 box

R7 – 7f Dirt (Claiming)
Fair race. Tarpaulin (2) is consistent; Aero Star (3) holds price appeal; Exploration (7) rounds out tickets.
Picks: 2-3-7 (Joker: 4) • Exacta: 2/3 box • Tri: 2/3/7 box

R8 – 6½f Dirt (Allowance)
Trip matters. On the Level (2) over Silo Ridge (6) and Notah (3)—keep Ican (4) in deeper tickets.
Picks: 2-6-3 (Joker: 4) • Exacta: 2/6 box • Tri: 2/6/3 box

R9 – 6f Outer Turf (Claiming)
Turf capper with prices. Royal Browne (7) is live; use Tapwrits Temper (10) and Derek’s Law (11).
Picks: 7-10-11 (Joker: 1) • Exacta: 7/10 box • Tri: 7/10/11 box

Belmont Daily Double idea (R8-R9): 2,6 / 7,10

🌞 GULFSTREAM PARK (Post 12:50 PM ET)

R1 – 6f Dirt (Mdn Clm)
Start with Chivado (9); back up with Gigline (7) and Lovethisbizz (5).
Picks: 9-7-5 (Joker: 3) • Exacta: 9/7 box • Tri: 9/7/5 box

R2 – 7½f Turf (Mdn Clm)
Tote tells the tale. Parlaypauline (11) is your playable bomb; Bella Jak (6) logical; Camm’s Girl (12) to complete.
Picks: 11-6-12 (Joker: 10) • Exacta: 11/6 box • Tri: 11/6/12 box

R3 – 1m70y AWT (Claiming)
Three Run Bolt (1) over Hits Different (5) and Fully Entitled (3).
Picks: 1-5-3 (Joker: 4)

R4 – 5½f AWT (Mdn Clm)
Depth Perception (7) has the look; Big Bucc Energy (5) brings it; Final Payment (1) can hang for a piece.
Picks: 7-5-1 (Joker: 6)

R5 – 6f Dirt (Claiming)
Short price likely. Valued Cajun (8) on top; Fighting Words (5) and Moral Agency (4) for value.
Picks: 8-5-4 (Joker: 2)

R6 – 1m Turf (Mdn Clm)
Big Bob (5) over Sniper Jack (7) and Dream Dancer (8).
Picks: 5-7-8 (Joker: 9)

R7 – 1m Dirt (Claiming)
Para Siempre (2) feels right; Early Delivery (6) next; For the Thrill (9) is your price punch.
Picks: 2-6-9 (Joker: 4)

R8 – 6f Dirt (Claiming)
Blaze of Color (2) on top; Dreams of Myfather (7) and Mister Iceman (1) chase.
Picks: 2-7-1 (Joker: 3)

R9 – 1m70y AWT (Claiming)
Late value: Widerthanamile (6) over Camm’s Princess (9) and Pharaoh’s Favorite (8).
Picks: 6-9-8 (Joker: 5)

R10 – 6f Dirt (Mdn Clm)
Home safe: Señor Money (6) and Three Little Birds (4) are the A’s; Jagr Dude (5) for third.
Picks: 6-4-5 (Joker: 8)

Gulfstream Late Pick 3 (R8-R10): 2,7 / 6,9,8 / 6,4

🎓 Quick Tips for the Recreational Player

• Boxes are your buddy. When races look evenly matched, exacta/tri boxes keep you alive if the order flips.
• Mind the trip on turf. The first clean lane often beats the fastest figure.
• One “Joker” per bet. Add a single longshot to your exacta/tri—cheap thrill, big upside.
• Bankroll rule: 1–2% of your roll per race. It’s a marathon, not a 4-furlong blowout.
• Humor helps. If your horse breaks last and looks at the grandstand, that’s a “tourist trip.” Tip the jockey with your forgiveness and move on. 😅

🧾 Ticket Builder (sample small plays)

• Keeneland R1 $6 Exacta Box: 5/8
• Belmont R4 $6 Exacta Box: 4/1
• Gulfstream R9 $6 Exacta Box: 6/9
• Fun $9 Tri Box (value shot, Keeneland R9): 9/5/11