Steve Matthews' Belmont at the Big A selections for April 30, May 1-2
Thursday, April 30
Best bet: NO RAIN NO FLOWERS (5)
Best value: APOLLO CODE (6)
FIRST: Directive drilled twice since clear-cut placing in debut; more to give. Irresistible owns two seconds and two thirds from five starts; another minor award? Tejanita is the lone 4-year-old facing younger rivals; very interesting.
SECOND: Fever Night was rested after 12-length score on Feb. 26; picks up where he left off. Dolly's Bank could secure clear lead at beefy odds; worth long look. Bourbon Chase takes two-level price plunge after failing to be a runner in past two starts; damaged goods?
THIRD: Tahila should pack amplified wallop with cutback to sprint. Baseball Lady is speedy and could prove very tough on a soft lead. Timia delivers strong efforts with machinelike consistency; right in the thick of this.
FOURTH: Mitole's Girl tallied solid late-pace figure when second last time; crisp half-mile last week seals the deal. Baby Sassicaia makes first start since claimed after hard-charging score last out; dangerous. Danneel made middle move and weakened last time; don't ignore.
FIFTH: No Rain No Flowers worked three times since useful fifth in debut; forward move predicted. Blazing Tiger compiled five tight drills since tough-trip third in last; very playable. Steady Force debuts for Chad Brown; be no surprise.
SIXTH: Apollo Code is fresh and noticeably turned up the tempo in crisp half-mile drill on April 18; ready. El Paco wheels back in a hurry after being claimed from fast-figured win just 11 days ago; big-time player. New York Scrappy is speedy and can prove very tough on a soft lead.
SEVENTH: Belouni tallied rapid final fraction when third in key race on Tampa turf last out; more to come. Paros, an uncoupled barn mate of top selection, owns speed and starts from the rail; dangerous. Sharp Spark gets aggressive price hike after clear-cut score on April 19; don't dismiss.
EIGHTH: Lake Ariel gets Lasix for return from eight-month layoff for jockey-trainer combo that's 1-for-1 in past 60 days. No Need to Panic, another that gets the meds off the bench, was a better-than-it-looks fourth in lone grass start; very interesting. Garden of Grace could be in the garden spot if pace meltdown ensues. Avery's Wonderland is speedy and rested; don't dismiss.
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Friday, May 1
Best bet: WHITTINGTON PARK (7)
Best value: REFUAH (4)
FIRST: Nod to Tran owns fast late-pace figures and is training with a purpose for first start since last fall. Jet Off is fleet-footed and could prove very tough on a soft lead. Two Ducks is another that should be advantageously positioned near the lead; must consider.
SECOND: Sarir drops and owns fast back figures; takes this if all is well. Rare Society, an uncoupled barn mate of top selection, should move forward after even third in last. Icy Legs was a clear-cut maiden winner in last; price will be tempting.
THIRD: Fast and Frisky is speedy and will be aided by cutback to mile. She's Grand is fresh and owns six wins from 11 starts; big-time player. Giant At Work could impact if pace meltdown ensues.
FOURTH: Refuah was compromised by slow splits when a hard-charging third in last; call based on price. J J's Ranger is fleet-footed and could capitalize on unchallenged lead. Turn and Count bested top selection by a head in last; must consider.
FIFTH: Honoree logged swift late-pace figure in lone turf outing last summer; ready for return. Easemyworriedmind displayed speed in sprint debut on dirt and could get early lead in turf route; very interesting. Before the Wind runs late and has the benefit of the rail; must be factored into the mix.
SIXTH: No Show Sammy Jo packs field's most potent stretch wallop on "A" efforts. Dona Clota regressed in last after finishing less than a length behind top selection on Gulfstream sod two back; dangerous. Lady Firefoot logged three of four career wins on Big A turf; don't dismiss.
SEVENTH: Whittington Park fired two bullet works since non-stressful fourth in last; forward move predicted. Phileas Fogg could easily lead this field wire to wire. Warp Nine tallies fast final numbers on best efforts.
EIGHTH: Scythian Gold compiled sharp work tab for first start in eight weeks; rail draw seals the deal. Midnight Concerto notched two of three lifetime wins on Big A grass; worth long look. Can't Fool Me logs competitive numbers on "A" efforts; don't ignore.
NINTH: Classic Cara has delivered her best efforts on grass; throw deep in wide-open nightcap. Yolo was a willing second in last; must respect. Magnum's Microbrst is speedy and could prove very tough on a soft lead. Alma's Law drops and makes peak start of form cycle; right in the thick of this.
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Saturday, May 2
Best bet: THE PADDOCK PASTOR (10)
Best value: GRAND COMMANDER (2)
FIRST: Military Road makes first start since claimed after 17-length score last out; more to come. First Trumpet is another last-race winner that makes first out for new barn; dangerous. Hey Porter would be aided by fast fractions.
SECOND: Grand Commander should pack intensified kick with cutback to 6 furlongs. Gunner Bay needed last and owns fast back numbers. Schlomo could play out as the main speed in first start since last summer.
THIRD: Gualillo drops in second start since claimed; improvement predicted. Cat Fast should be aided by turnback to sprint. Beck's Dreamer was gelded since improved third in last; very interesting.
FOURTH: Deterministic projects as the dominant speed in compact field. Battle of Normandy will be in the garden spot if top selection hits the wall. Montador is another that would be aided by fast fractions.
FIFTH: Powered by Coal moves to grass after game placing in last; set for breakthrough. Deemer is training sharply for first start since last fall. Savvylicious debuts for Miguel Clement; follow the money.
SIXTH: Toga d'Oro tallied fast late-pace figure in last; confident price boost seals the deal. Morlock is fleet-footed and could prove very tough on a soft lead. Favorite Day was a subpar 10th in last; more than good enough on best.
SEVENTH: My Daughters' Gift was an improved fourth in last; throw deep in weak field. Chardonnay Derby makes first start since claimed by Linda Rice; dangerous. Bengalese was second in last two starts; right in the thick of this.
EIGHTH: Twenty Six Black is 4-for-8 on Big A sod and training with a purpose for first start since October. Waralo could play out as the speed of the speed with heads-up handling. Dancing Buck, 5-for-10 on Aqueduct grass, could be ideally positioned in the stalker's seat.
NINTH: Into Inspiration bounced last time after front-end win in prior; rebounds. Whitby compiled five tight works for first start since February; very playable. Daytona Moonshine runs late and could land in exotics if fractions get hot and hectic.
10TH: The Paddock Pastor is training consistently for first start since November; runs past them all with "A" effort. Dylan's Ruby owns speed, has the rail and Kendrick Carmouche in the saddle; big-time player. Sandborn, idle since last summer, is another that packs potent late kick.
11TH: My Munny Talks logged three 5-furlong works and gets first-time Lasix since last start; big effort on tap. Pretrial Statement could play out as the speed of the speed from the rail. Counter Move also is fleet-footed and returns on nine days' rest; worth long look. Mykonos should move forward with return to grass; must be factored into the mix.
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