Steve Matthews' Belmont at the Big A selections for Thursday, Oct. 24

By Steve Matthewssteve.matthews@newsday.comOctober 20, 2024

Best bet: FOR SOME REASON (7)

Best value: EVIE DOES IT (4)

FIRST: Bewildered makes first start with maiden-claiming tag and compiled tight work tab for first start since August; ready. Millie Jean has been idle for 11 months but logged solid numbers in all four starts; dangerous. Wild Iris adds blinkers and moves to dirt; wake-up potential.

SECOND: Engineer Empire owns positional speed and is 2-for-2 at the distance. Bourbon Chase consistently logs fast final figures; very dangerous. Lotsa Trouble should improve with return to dirt.

THIRD: Chasing Daylight tallied improved pace and final numbers in last; more to come. Sweet Anniversary owns speed, fast numbers and four wins from five starts; likely underlay. Starry Midnight could impact if front-end meltdown ensues.

FOURTH: Evie Does It should pack amplified wallop with cutback to 6 furlongs. Magic Eight Ball is fleet-footed and could prove very tough on a soft lead. Miss Bourbon, an uncoupled barn mate of second selection, was second to a repeat winner last time; right in the thick of this.

FIFTH: Dazzling Cruiser is training swiftly for first start with maiden-claiming tag; big effort on tap. Its Satisfactual compiled tight work tab for first start in eight weeks; worth long look. Positive Carry makes first start since claimed by Linda Rice; more than good enough on "A" efforts.

SIXTH: America's Honor is riding a forward line on the numbers; set for breakthrough. Chris's Revenge was a useful fifth in tough-trip debut; forward move predicted. Western Wolf was a speed-and-fade fourth in first start; must be factored into the mix.

SEVENTH: For Some Reason notched front-running scores in last two starts; more to come. Daufuskie Island displayed improved speed in last; very interesting. Forrest City could be in the garden spot if pace meltdown ensues.

EIGHTH: Sweet Tone was an improved second in last and rates the call if able to escape AE list. Bomb Squad regressed in last after willing third in prior; rebound potential. Makeyourmoment is another that took backward step in most recent after strong outing two back; worth long look. Judge Rules packs solid late kick on best efforts. Purest Performance was a wide third at 90-1 last time; juicy-priced exotics inclusion.