Friday at the track. It’s got a specific kind of energy, doesn’t it? Especially in New York right now. If you were looking for the results of belmont races today, you probably realized pretty quickly that "Belmont" is currently a bit of a moving target.
With the massive $455 million renovation project still humming along in Elmont, the winter meet is firmly planted at Aqueduct. It’s "Belmont at the Big A" in spirit, even if the scenery is Ozone Park instead of the leafy paddock of the historic home of the Triple Crown’s third leg.
Honestly, the card today, January 16, 2026, was a grinder's dream. No massive Grade 1 stakes, just pure, honest claiming and allowance races that keep the New York circuit the toughest in the country.
The Big Winners: Results of Belmont Races Today
The track was playing fairly even, though the inside rail seemed to have a tiny bit of "pop" early in the afternoon. If you were betting the favorites, you had a decent enough day, but there were a couple of price horses that probably blew up some Pick 5 tickets.
Race 1 kicked things off with a 6-furlong sprint for the claimers. Moonlight Gal, with Manny Franco in the irons, lived up to the hype. She broke clean and basically dictated the terms. If you had the 1-2 exacta with Saucy Six, it didn't pay much, but a win is a win.
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Then things got interesting in Race 2.
Kendrick Carmouche is always a force at the Big A, and he proved it again on Brunch With Amy. This was a one-mile starter allowance, and the pace was honest. Carmouche sat just off the lead, let the speed fry itself, and then pounced at the top of the stretch. It was a professional ride. You love to see it.
Mid-Card Shocker
Nobody really expected Syl’s Pleasure to do much in Race 3, yet here we are. Coming in at nearly 10-1, the 4-year-old found a gear in the final sixteenth that most of us didn't know he had. Eric Cancel timed the move perfectly.
- Race 4 Result: Aggregation (Jaime Rodriguez)
- Race 5 Result: Asking (Sahin Civaci)
- Race 6 Result: Blue Note (Flavien Prat)
Race 5 was particularly notable because Asking, a 3-year-old for the Bill Mott barn, finally put it all together. People have been waiting for this horse to break the maiden for a while. Sahin Civaci kept him settled, which hasn't always been easy for this colt, and he drew off by a comfortable three lengths.
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The Jockey Standings and Track Conditions
It’s cold. Let's just be real about that. January racing in New York isn't for the faint of heart. The dirt was listed as Fast, but you could tell the moisture from earlier in the week made it a bit "heavy" in the deeper parts of the track.
Flavien Prat and Manny Franco are currently locked in a bit of a chess match for the top of the standings. Prat grabbed a win in Race 6 with Blue Note, a Maiden Special Weight that might actually produce some real contenders for the spring stakes. Watch that replay if you get a chance. The way Blue Note lowered his head and fought off Imnobodysfool was impressive for a young horse.
Linda Rice also had a busy day. She’s the queen of the New York claimers for a reason. While she didn't sweep the board today, her horses were consistently in the money, keeping the exacta payouts relatively modest except for that third race blowup.
Why We Aren't at Belmont Park Right Now
If you’re confused why the results of belmont races today are coming from Aqueduct, it’s all about the "New Belmont."
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The old grandstand is gone. Like, totally gone. In its place, a much sleeker, 275,000-square-foot facility is rising. It’s actually kind of wild to see the progress photos. NYRA (New York Racing Association) is promising a "soft opening" this coming September.
Because of the construction, the 2026 Belmont Stakes is heading back to Saratoga this June for the third year in a row. It sucks for the local Long Island fans, but honestly, Saratoga is a vibe. Plus, the new Belmont will have a one-mile synthetic track, which means once they move back for good in 2027, the winter racing might actually stay at Belmont instead of shifting to Aqueduct.
What to Look for Tomorrow
If you're planning on betting the Saturday card, keep an eye on the weather. There’s a rumor of some light flurries, which can turn the Big A surface into a "sealed" track. When that happens, speed usually becomes king.
- Check the scratches early; the winter flu often hits the barns this time of year.
- Look at the weight allowances for the 3-year-olds; they're still figuring out their bodies.
- Trust the "Big Three" jockeys (Franco, Prat, Carmouche) in the late-day stakes.
The results of belmont races today showed us that the favorites are holding their own, but the track is fair enough for a closer to get the job done if the pace is hot. If you're playing the Pick 6, maybe go a little deeper in the claiming races—that's where the chaos lives.
Basically, keep your eyes on the replays from Race 6. Blue Note looks like he could be something special. We'll see if he gets pointed toward the Wood Memorial or if they keep him in the allowance ranks for one more start.
The best move now is to check the overnight entries for Saturday. If the track stays fast, look for the horses coming out of the Linda Rice barn to be aggressive early. If you haven't looked at the new Belmont Park renderings yet, go find them. It’s going to change New York racing forever once that place opens its doors in September. See you at the windows tomorrow.