Steve Matthews' Belmont at Saratoga selections for June 3-7
Wednesday, June 3
Best bet: GEORGE BRIGGS (4)
Best value: JACK'S WORLD (7)
FIRST: Little Trilby was a Grade 1 winner over the jumps in last; more to come. Ziggle Pops won only outing on Saratoga steeplechase course; dangerous. Hidden Path owns a win, a second and a third in three starts over Spa fences; must consider.
SECOND: Irish Lullaby tallied solid final fraction when breaking maiden at Woodbine last out; ready for prime time. Pinky Brier is fresh and consistently fires fast efforts. Galinda owns three wins and a second from four starts; likely underlay.
THIRD: Spinning Colors projects as the main speed with proper handling. National Archive was a useful third in first start since six-month layoff. Being Betty delivers strong efforts with machinelike consistency; big-time player.
FOURTH: George Briggs logged fast late-pace figure when winning last; takes another. Mi Bago is speedy and could prove very tough on a soft lead. Spirit of St Louis failed to get job done when odds-on in last; short price once again.
FIFTH: Landed is 2-for-2 on Spa loam; paltry price is the problem. Valtellina could be the prime beneficiary if pace meltdown ensues. Bernietakescharge is speedy and rested; must consider.
SIXTH: Olivia's Grace notched lone win on Spa sod; call based on price. Lightning Strike, likely to be overbet, has been sidelined for more than a year after ultra-impressive win in debut; you make the call. Disco Star could in the garden spot if fractions get hot and hectic.
SEVENTH: Jack's World was a non-stressful fourth in first start since six-month layoff last out; forward move predicted. Oat Coutour was a sharp second in lone start on Saratoga turf; dangerous. Willpowered compiled tight work tab for first start in three months; worth long look.
EIGHTH: Time to Roll is quick from gate and training strongly for first start in seven weeks; ready to roll. B Thedonald, an uncoupled barn mate of top selection, was freshened after winning two in a row; very dangerous. Arctic Beast is 1-for-1 at Saratoga; right in the thick of this.
NINTH: Dr. Kraft projects as the main speed on rail with heads-up handling. Drake's Passage, idle for more than nine months, logs fast figures on "A" efforts. Donegal Surges can win from on or off the pace; must be factored into the mix.
10TH: Blame It On K J tallies fast final fractions on best efforts. Zeus Lightning owns speed and gets Kendrick Carmouche; very interesting. Rossbeigh was a hard-charging second in debut on Spa grass last summer; must consider. Beau Cheval runs last and could be aided by today's added ground.
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Thursday, June 4
Best bet: BLACKMAIL (3)
Best value: APALTA (9)
FIRST: Luminous Beauty was a sharp second in debut; experience helps in nine-horse field with seven newcomers. Margie's Girl was less than a length behind top selection when third in first start; dangerous. Biblical Justice concluded work tab with 3-furlong bullet; charting a must.
SECOND: Mythical boasts 7-for-9 slate; price will be unplayable, however. Carmel Coast withstood swift splits to win last; worth long look. Paige Turner fired half-mile bullet since second to Carmel Coast last time; must consider.
THIRD: Blackmail tallied swift final fraction when winning last; more to come. Blinging It Back, uncoupled barn mate of top selection, makes third start of form cycle. West End Kid is riding a two-race winning streak; must be factored into the mix.
FOURTH: Pure Joy logged fast late-pace figure when breaking maiden in last; takes another. Bernieandtherose is speedy and could prove very tough on a soft lead. U Lite Up My Life owns five wins and three seconds from 16 starts; be no surprise.
FIFTH: Immortal Poet gets first-time Lasix in return from nearly eight-month absence; ready. Bourbon Milk Punch is working swiftly for first start since last fall; dangerous. I'm Very Sweet owns two seconds and two thirds from four starts; another minor award?
SIXTH: Liberty's Advance is training sharply for first start since December; fires big effort. Tuthilltown keeps getting close (two seconds, two thirds from four starts) but can't finish the job; mixed message. Into the Unknown is improving and should be aided by today's additional furlong; very interesting.
SEVENTH: Power Seeker regressed last time after winning at the distance (albeit on dirt) in prior; rebounds. Heathguard is fresh and owns fast late-pace and final figures; very playable. Right to Vote was a sharp second in last; logical.
EIGHTH: Love Cervere made sustained rally to win last; pairs up. In Our Time is rested and owns speed and fast figures; could easily take this. Italian Soiree is 1-for-1 on Spa sod; don't overlook.
NINTH: Apalta, a determined last-race winner, should return quick dividends in first start since claimed. Magnanimous Max is riding a two-race winning streak; very dangerous. Norwich makes third start since layoff; more than good enough on "A" game.
10TH: Tawny Port is rested and packs potent late kick on best efforts. Corruption is fleet-footed and could prove tough to collar on unchallenged lead. Fleetfoot was a winner over the Fair Hill jumps at today's 2-mile distance; must be factored into the mix.
11TH: River Tay logged fast late-pace figures when winning four straight; keeps on giving. Princess Summer could impact if pace meltdown ensues. Bobby Jean should be favorably positioned near the front with Kendrick Carmouche aboard. Mo Complex was a wire-to-wire maiden winner in last; don't ignore.
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Friday, June 5
Best bet: ACCOST (3)
Best value: SHORE WAR (5)
FIRST: Copious is fresh and logs fast figures on best efforts. Hadrian's Wall has finished second in last two starts; runner-up again? Luz de Guia owns five thirds from seven outings; more show dough?
SECOND: Elysian Meadows should pack amplified kick with cutback to 6 furlongs. Factually Correct exits two straight wire-to-wire wins; very dangerous. Hit the Post logged three sharp works since last start; must consider.
THIRD: Accost logged seven tight works since delivering a dud in last start; rebounds. Hero Declared could play out as the main speed on the rail. Holding Power owns win-early breeding; follow the money.
FOURTH: Grand Job is firing bullets for first start in two months. Ways and Means is 4-for-5 on Spa loam; big-time threat. Senza Parole outworked 60 rivals in half-mile bullet last week; don't ignore.
FIFTH: Shore War, a non-stressful fourth in last, should get ideal setup in field with ample speed. Di Natale has finished second in all three stateside starts; minor award again? Prayforthewicked owns two wins and a second from three outings; must be factored into the mix.
SIXTH: Home Wrecker projects as the controlling speed with Kendrick Carmouche aboard. River Empress could be the prime beneficiary if pace meltdown ensues. Shelzawa gets Lasix in stateside debut for Chad Brown; demands respect.
SEVENTH: Brotha Keny drops and returns to dirt; needs best to overcome outside slot. Bourbon Day, a useful fourth in last, will be aided by today's added ground. Gould's Gold consistently logs swift numbers; must consider.
EIGHTH: Final Verdict could be ideally positioned in the stalker's seat in ultra-contentious turf dash. Whatchatalkinabout could play out as the speed of the speed in grass debut. Mentee was a tough-trip third in last; don't ignore.
NINTH: Fitz Right tallied sharp final fractions when winning last two starts; more to come. Lion Lake should be favorably positioned near the front in bulky field. Time to Dream is 2-for-2 on Saratoga turf; right in the thick of this.
10TH: Counting Stars was too close to fast pace when third in the Kentucky Oaks; half-mile bullet over Saratoga surface last week seals the deal. Always a Runner, the Oaks winner, has yet to taste defeat in three starts. Meaning was a game second in Oaks; must consider.
11TH: Kathynmarissa tallied swift late-pace figure when winning last. Speed Shopper drilled four times since clear-cut score in last; worth long look. City Girl is riding a two-race winning streak; must be factored into the mix.
12TH: Regaled is rested and logs fast late-pace and final figures on best efforts. Alpine Princess owns speed in field that's light on front-runners. Nitrogen is 2-for-2 at Saratoga.
13TH: Cloudy Chance was dueled into defeat last out; softer flow predicted. Grace and Grit made sustained run to win same last race as top selection; dangerous. Karley B was a fast-figured maiden winner last out; very playable.
14TH: Harry O is training with a purpose for first start since December; first-time Lasix is the clincher. Limited Edition logged fast late-pace figures in all three turf outings. Silent Impact was a clear-cut second in last; must consider. Knowledge Sharing (Chad Brown) and He's a Piper (Mark Casse) are newcomers that must be factored into the mix if the money shows.
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Saturday, June 6
Best bet: COMMANDMENT (13)
Best value: ETAWA (5)
FIRST: Cold Spell bested a next-out winner when a clear-cut second in debut. My Sherrona is speedy and could prove tough on a soft lead. Crowning Glory is from a dam that has produced three stakes winners; could be the goods.
SECOND: Awesome Native fired half-mile bullet at Fair Hill training base; back numbers are more than good enough. Resilience is fresh and owns positional speed in bulky field. Senior Officer logged fast figures in all four starts.
THIRD: Ejtimaa makes third start of form cycle and has benefit of the rail. Son of a Birch exits sprints and has Kendrick Carmouche aboard; front-end threat. Intellect logged four seconds and a third in five stateside starts; another minor award?
FOURTH: Chatter projects as the speed of the speed with proper handling. Naive Melody also is quick from gate and owns three wins from four starts. Helen's Revenge has won five of last seven outings; must be factored into the mix.
FIFTH: Etawa should pack amplified wallop with cutback to shorter route. Curlin's Angel logged only win on Spa sod; worth long look. Eponine gets Lasix and is training sharply for first start in more than nine months; don't ignore.
SIXTH: Brazenly logs fast late-pace figures on best efforts and will be aided by cutback to sprint. Yo Banana Boy could prove very tough if able to shake clear from other front-runners. Local Knowledge was a professional-looking winner in debut last fall; must consider.
SEVENTH: Deep Satin is 2-for-3 on Spa grass and compiled four tight works for first start since April. And One More Time was a front-running winner in last outing; very interesting. Sandtrap was an easy winner in first U.S. start; big-time player.
EIGHTH: Illuminare, 2-for-3 on Saratoga loam, could be ideally positioned in the stalker's seat. Book'em Danno, 4-for-5 on Spa dirt, is more than good enough on "A" efforts. Bentornato owns speed and fast figures; right in the thick of this.
NINTH: Twenty Six Black tallied lifetime-best number on Spa grass last summer; history repeats. Ag Bullet is working sharply and won lone turf start at Saratoga. Bold Journey is competitive on best efforts and could land in exotics at fat number.
10TH: Civil Liberty ships in from SoCal after fast-figured maiden score in last; ready for prime time. Crude Velocity, another West Cost shipper, is 3-for-3 and hails from Bob Baffert barn; guaranteed underlay. Englishman is fleet-footed and could prove very tough on a soft lead.
11TH: Saudi Crown has trained impressively since change-of-pace win in last; call based on price. Journalism, a multiple Grade 1 stakes winner, would be no surprise. Knightsbridge can prove to be a very tough customer when allowed an unchallenged lead; don't overlook.
12TH: Integration overcame poor start to win last; pairs up victories at a price. Deterministic is speedy and has won six of last eight; dangerous. Rhetorical is 3-for-4 on Saratoga turf; must be factored into the mix.
13TH: Commandment bounced in the Derby after two fast-figured wins; rebounds. Emerging Market is another that regressed in Derby after starting career with two scores; very playable. Golden Tempo and Renegade both benefited from smoking splits when one-two in Derby; you make the call.
14TH: Ramblin' Wreck was pace- and trip-compromised when third in last; gets there today. Sounds Like a Plan is speedy and logged three wins from last four starts; big-time player. First Call Bob makes first grass start for Chad Brown; very interesting. Outrunner is firing bullets for first start since last fall; don't dismiss.
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Sunday, June 7
Best bet: HEY TOBY (10)
Best value: JOKER ON FIRE (5)
FIRST: Bryant and Cooper fits Chad Brown's signature pattern; ready to roll. All of It logged clear-cut score in debut; dangerous. Neshika gets Lasix after game placing in last; be no surprise.
SECOND: New York Special projects as the main speed with switch to grass for Mark Casse. Saint Margaret exits sprints and adds blinkers; another front-end player. Soaring Spirit and Pelican Pride when separated by just a neck when two-three in debut on May 8; both must be considered.
THIRD: Scottish Lassie is rested, training with a purpose and owns field's fastest figures. Autumn Evening needed last and gets class relief. Limes Don't Lie owns a win and two thirds in three starts at Saratoga; must consider.
FOURTH: Zulu Kingdom is fresh, speedy and 7-for-9 lifetime. Salamis, an uncoupled barn mate of top pick, could be in the garden spot if that one hits the wall. Capitol Hill is another that would be aided by pace meltdown.
FIFTH: Joker On Fire has delivered strong efforts in both turf starts; stalker's style seals the deal. Punto Forty is fleet-footed and could prove very tough on a soft lead. Van Vollenhoven is working sharply for first start since January; very interesting.
SIXTH: Booked was a clear-cut second when even-money in debut; experience helps in field that's loaded with unknowns. Beach Sandals was a front-running second in first start; obvious contender. Call Attendant is from a dam that has produced three winners from three foals to race; stay tuned to the tote.
SEVENTH: The Paddock Pastor, a solid third last time, should have more to give in second start since six-month absence. Geostoblame tallied scorching final fraction in last; worth long look. Rabaja could be advantageously positioned near the front in field that's light on speed; price will be tempting.
EIGHTH: Hen Party was a willing third in last; three works in the interim seal the deal. Slay the Day bested top selection by more than two lengths when second last out; big-time player. Alpenglow is speedy and must be factored into the mix.
NINTH: Mr Skylight fired crisp half-mile drill last week and now makes first start since claimed; big effort on tap. Gatsby could play out as the main speed on the rail with aggressive handling. Private Desire is rested and noticeably picked up the tempo in final work; don't ignore.
10TH: Hey Toby gets favorable cutback to 7 furlongs after making middle move and flattening last out. Mo for the King is fresh and owns fast figures on best efforts. Mozambique could land in exotics at beefy number if pace meltdown ensues.
11TH: Frankie Coffeecake tallied solid late-pace figures when second in first two starts; rested and ready. Hurricane Kaz owns speed and fast numbers; dangerous. King Farro was third in both starts; more show dough? Sultan Hassan fired eye-catching half-mile drill to conclude work tab; could be the goods.
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