Categories: Horse Racing

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

 

Ron Raymond

Ron Raymond is a well-known sports handicapper who runs ATS Stats and the Raymond REPORT. He has over 21 years of experience in the industry and provides expert analysis and predictions for various sports, including football, baseball, hockey, and basketball.

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