Steve Matthews' Belmont at the Big A selections for May 7-10
Thursday, May 7
Best Bet: THRILL OF IT (7)
Best Value: LAYLANI LOU (6)
FIRST: Despo's Dream drops and makes third start of form cycle; forward move predicted. Coquito won by nearly 10 lengths at this level last time; could easily take another. Jackie the Joker is speedy and could prove tough on a soft lead.
SECOND: Carson's Run won Grade 3 stakes at this distance; four tight works since last start seal the deal. Integration is 2-for-2 on Big A sod; very dangerous. Risk Tolerance consistently logs fast figures.
THIRD: Mutaawid was a useful fifth in last at Keeneland and has won both starts on Aqueduct grass. Bettrluckythangood is training with a purpose at Payson Park for first start since last summer; big-time player. Classic Creation has the benefit of the rail and could land in exotics at fat number.
FOURTH: City Blocks was compromised by wide trip in last; improvement expected in third start of form cycle. Tough Street packs potent late kick on "A" efforts; worth long look. Howling Wind is riding a forward line on the numbers; don't ignore.
FIFTH: Onepac drilled twice since third after slow start in last; more to give. White Smoke Rising has fired bullet works since second to a repeat winner in debut; very dangerous. Cite Your Sources debuts for Chad Brown; follow the money.
SIXTH: Laylani Lou is rested and could play out as the main speed with heads-up handling. Loveontheleftbank tallied fast late-pace figure when third on Tampa turf last out; big-time danger. Just Tell Anne drilled twice since non-stressful seventh in last; very interesting.
SEVENTH: Thrill of It outworked 55 rivals in half-mile bullet last week; set for big effort. Ten Cent Town makes first start since claimed by Brad Cox; very dangerous. Lotsa Trouble should pack amplified wallop with cutback to sprint; very playable.
EIGHTH: Bold Statement ships in for strong stable after tough trip at Laurel last time. Rules of the Road could be in the garden spot if pace meltdown ensues. Jet Off wheels back in a hurry after speed and fade last week; worth long look. Crowbar Artist moves to turf after being gelded since last start; very interesting.
Friday, May 8
Best Bet: AMAZING GRACER (8)
Best Value: ALPINE GIANT (7)
FIRST: Limes Don't Lie is training with a purpose for first start since last summer for Chad Brown; signature pattern. Munnings Express is speedy and riding a two-race winning streak; very dangerous. Atarah is fresh and could be positioned in the stalker's seat; must consider.
SECOND: Cloudy Chance was done in by pace pressure last time; softer flow predicted. Princess Ny could be the prime beneficiary if top selection hits the wall. Adrian is working sharply for first start since last fall; don't ignore.
THIRD: He's Got This should pack amplified wallop with cutback to sprint. Glint was a clear-cut second in last; dangerous. Graywing is speedy and could prove tough on a clear lead.
FOURTH: Time for You needed last and returns to turf; forward move expected. Angels Envy gets favorable cutback after displaying improved speed in last. Only for Now debuts for potent first-out barn; follow the money.
FIFTH: Tahila never got going in the mud last time; return to dry land is key. Spirit of Esther is fleet-footed and could prove very tough on an unchallenged lead. Karey can pose a late-running threat on "A" efforts.
SIXTH: Moonlit Weekend tallied crisp half-mile drill since last start; improvement predicted. Peak of Chic fired 5-furlong bullet for first start since last July; very playable. Edistrudis could impact if pace meltdown ensues.
SEVENTH: Alpine Giant projects as the main speed with aggressive handling in bulky field. Disco Star could be in the garden spot if top selection hits the wall. One Last Knock owns four seconds from six starts; another minor award?
EIGHTH: Amazing Gracer is rested and logged fast late-pace figures in all three starts. Felixyn made sustained rally to win debut at Tampa seven weeks ago; worth long look. Ticket to Ride was a tough-trip second in last; must consider. Soaring Spirit debuts for Miguel Clement; barn has them ready at first asking.
Saturday, May 9
Best Bet: ONE MORE GUITAR (8)
Best Value: DAISY DOO (11)
FIRST: Kaz Farm Girl fired crisp half-mile work since tough-trip fifth in last; breakthrough predicted. Karley B was a sharp third when favored in debut; dangerous. My Girl Aubree owns two seconds and a third from four starts; another minor award?
SECOND: Print returns to grass after five-length maiden score in last; pairs up. Arizona Territory is another that exits clear-cut maiden win in most recent; dangerous. Exhibition Only owns speed and drops; worth long look.
THIRD: Red Miller is training swiftly for first start in two months; tallied lone win after similar layoff. Shellac drops after failing to fire in the mud last time; dangerous on dry land. Fiscal Drag could impact if pace meltdown ensues.
FOURTH: Neshika compiled tight work tab for first start since November; ready. Quick Power Nap logged crisp half-mile work since even fourth in last; very interesting. Cosmic Candy Girl owns a win, three seconds and a third from five starts; logical contender.
FIFTH: Next On Stage was freshened after determined win at this level on March 7; picks up where she left off. Paula's a Star could play out as the speed of the speed with aggressive handling. Army Gal, an uncoupled barn mate of top selection, is training with a purpose for first start since November; must be factored into the mix.
SIXTH: Acoustic Ave gets favorable cutback to 6 furlongs; two works since last start seal the deal. Full Moon Madness is rested and owns fast back figures. One Nine Hundred could play out as the main speed; right in the thick of this.
SEVENTH: Irish Maxima could get the early jump with heads-up handling in contentious field. Eunomia will be in the catbird seat if top selection hits the wall. Inefficiency gets tested for class after impressing in first two starts; don't ignore.
EIGHTH: One More Guitar fired half-mile bullet since breaking maiden on Fair Grounds grass last out; ready for prime time. Just Philtored is speedy and will be favorably positioned; worth long look. Cadenza consistently delivers strong efforts; must be factored into the mix.
NINTH: Trendsetter tallied solid final fraction when winning last; more to come. Talk to Me Jimmy is fleet-footed and could prove tough on a soft lead. Growth Equity has trained with a purpose for Chad Brown after breaking maiden in last; be no surprise.
10TH: Ramblin' Wreck logs fast late-pace figures on "A" efforts. Blown Cover gets added ground after making sustained rally to win last; very playable. Awesome Empire owns sprinter's speed and could prove tough on an unchallenged lead.
11TH: Daisy Doo gets the meds for first start since gelded; call in wide-open nightcap. Big Brooklyn was a change-of-pace third in last; very interesting. Music in Motion compiled tight work tab for first start since December; worth long look. Ice House makes first grass start for George Weaver; must consider.
Sunday, May 10
Best Bet: RIVER RIDE (4)
Best Value: FIDDLING FELIX (7)
FIRST: Prospector makes first start versus NY breds; weakness of field helps, too. Hurricane Kaz is 0-for-7 but can impact on "A" efforts. Bye for Now is training swiftly for debut; could be the goods.
SECOND: Jackson Heights drops and could be in the garden spot if pace meltdown ensues. Spirit Dragon is speedy and could prove very tough on a soft lead. Remi's Moon has been claimed from last three starts; dangerous.
THIRD: Anderman displayed improved speed in last; set for breakthrough. King Farro is training with a purpose for first start since gelded; dangerous. Judge Boushay has finished third in both starts; more show dough?
FOURTH: River Ride logged fast late-pace figures in both starts and has benefit of rail today. Jordan's Love, an improved second on dirt last time, owns solid turf breeding; worth long look. Chartist exits front-end placing in last; must consider.
FIFTH: P Mutter Pickle compiled steadily intensifying work tab for first start since last spring; ready. Like a Rolling Stone regressed last out after front-running win two back; rebound threat. Brunch With Amy is fresh and consistently logs fast figures; right in the thick of this.
SIXTH: C J Star notched swift final fraction when a clear-cut second in last; more to come. Ovechkin returns to grass after displaying newfound speed in last; could easily score. Coordinator was a tough-trip third in debut for Chad Brown last out; big-time player.
SEVENTH: Fiddling Felix drilled three times since last-to-first score on April 4; pairs up. Brazenly has logged two sharp efforts since returning from freshener in March; dangerous. I'm Ready to Go fits Chad Brown's signature pattern and owns a win and a second from two starts; likely underlay.
EIGHTH: Stickupwithoutagun set scorching splits and wilted late last time; softer flow predicted. Hey Toby could be sitting in the catbird seat if top selection hits the wall again. Max Money made sustained rally to win last; worth long look.
NINTH: Just For Luck notched seven tight works for first start since March. A Little At First logged only win on Big A sod; very interesting. Jack's World is another that tallied lone score on Aqueduct turf; dangerous. Six Fortyfive is effective from on or off the pace; must consider.
More horse racing
