Steve Matthews' Belmont at the Big A selections for June 25-28
Thursday, June 25
Best bet: LES REYS (4)
Best value: CELESTIAL GLAZE (6)
FIRST: Mary Lois compiled six tight works for first start since April; classic Chad Brown. Prime Connection also is training with a purpose; dangerous. Stand the Rain was a useful fifth in lone grass start; don't ignore.
SECOND: That'sthefactjack is riding a two-race winning streak; keeps on giving. Blenheim Baby is fresh and owns positional speed; worth long look. Spirit of Esther is fleet-footed and could prove tough on a soft lead.
THIRD: Addagirl Addie is 0-for-23 but may have finally found right field; now or never. Island Charm could play out as the main speed on the rail; big-time player. No Need to Panic drops and makes third start of form cycle; must consider.
FOURTH: Les Reys is 1-for-1 on Big A sod; rates close call. Leslie's Humor fits Chad Brown's signature pattern. Ready to Jam needed last and gets class relief; very interesting.
FIFTH: Bet Bold outworked 126 rivals in half-mile bullet last week; best guess in nine-horse field with seven newcomers. Hurricane Mo was an even third in debut; experience helps. Flight Command is training swiftly for debut; charting a must.
SIXTH: Celestial Glaze adds blinkers after slow start in last; controlling speed with aggressive handling. Neon Bordeaux could be in the garden spot if top selection hits the wall. Determinedly was a determined second in last; must be factored into the mix.
SEVENTH: Edistrudis made eight-wide move when a clear-cut second in last; more to come. Short Shift, an uncoupled barn mate of top selection, is quick from gate and could prove tough on an unchallenged lead. Mursal fires strong efforts with machinelike consistency; be no surprise.
EIGHTH: Heads in Beds makes first start since moving to Saffie Joseph barn; sharp work tab seals the deal. Artistic Success is speedy and has Kendrick Carmouche aboard; big-time front-running threat. Lupine regressed in last after front-end win in prior; rebound potential. Midnightloveaffair makes third start of form cycle; don't ignore.
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Friday, June 26
Best bet: OAT COUTOUR (6)
Best value: AWESOME EMPIRE (3)
FIRST: Chester Boy drops and adds blinkers after logging fast late-pace figures in both starts. Fateful Lightning was a clear-cut second on turf two starts back; dangerous. Executive is training with a purpose for first start in eight weeks; worth long look.
SECOND: War Master failed to fire on sloppy surface last time; return to dry land is key. Sagamore Mischief could play out as the speed of the speed with aggressive handling. Quiet Wisdom was done in by wide trip in last; worth long look.
THIRD: Awesome Empire should be aided by cutback to sprint; three works since last start seal the deal. Golden Symphony makes quick return after clear-cut win in last; very playable. Gypsy Dreaming is speedy and could prove very tough on a soft lead.
FOURTH: Speightful Song is training sharply for first start with maiden-claiming tag; breakthrough predicted. Easemyworriedmind is fresh and also takes potent class drop; worth long look. Chris's Song owns positional speed and fast final numbers; must be factored into the mix.
FIFTH: Iron Sight compiled tight work tab for first start since last summer for Chad Brown; you know the drill. Gold Sovereign, also from the Brown barn, has finished second in three of last four starts; another placing? Duty owns speed and could prove tough on a soft lead.
SIXTH: Oat Coutour made sustained run when a useful fourth in last; more to give. Willpowered owns a win and two seconds from last three outings; logical contender. Newlyn is training with a purpose for first start since last fall; don't ignore.
SEVENTH: Math Tutor was rested after top-figured score in April; picks up where he left off. Manhattan Chrome owns two wins from three starts; big-time player. Enduring Spirit set sizzling splits when a game second in last; must be factored into the mix.
EIGHTH: Vintage Vino makes third start of form cycle after tough-trip eighth in last; forward move predicted. Hard Circle makes first start since claimed after winning two in a row; very dangerous. Carc Brothers has yet to taste defeat in two starts; right in the thick of this.
NINTH: Urgency gets added ground after showing improved speed in sprint last time; breakthrough predicted in first start since claimed. Teutonic drops after non-stressful fourth last out; dangerous. Savvylicious has the rail and drilled three times for first start in 55 days; worth long look. Tail Risk makes quick return after useful sixth in first start since seven-month absence; don't ignore.
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