Steve Matthews' Belmont at The Big A selections for Saturday, Sept. 14
Best Bet: BARRICADE (7)
Best Value: POKER JOKER (11)
FIRST: Papa Golf outworked 101 rivals in 5-furlong drill to conclude training tab; ready. Moment's Notice was a clear-cut second in last; dangerous. Vekoma Rides is another newcomer that's training swiftly; charting a must.
SECOND: Pandemic Hero was gelded since speed and fade in debut; improvement predicted. Classic Ruby compiled tight work tab for first start in seven weeks; don't ignore. Gimme Gimme owns win-early breeding; follow the money.
THIRD: Montebello should pack intensified kick with cutback to 6 furlongs. Borletti drops and returns to dirt; worth long look. Magia Nera is right in the thick of this if pace meltdown ensues.
FOURTH: Quite Continental logged fast late-pace figures in both turf starts; first start since claimed by Saffie Joseph is the clincher. Starlight Dancer drilled six times since game placing on July 7; very playable. She Is All Business drops and adds blinkers; must consider.
FIFTH: Lord Captain will possess amplified wallop with turnback to mile. Mastermind owns speed and gets class relief; very interesting. Allaboutthemoney drops and makes third start of form cycle; right in the thick of this.
SIXTH: Dunedin Causeway overcame poor start to win last; pairs up at a price. Yo Banana Boy was a fast-figured winner over the track in early June; dangerous. Tall Paul is speedy and rested but will offer paltry odds; must take the good with the bad.
SEVENTH: Barricade was pace and trip compromised when fifth in debut; tight work tab in the interim seals the deal. Davy Crockett was a sharp second in first start; logical. Valuation Metric was just half-length behind Davy Crockett after wide trip in debut; must consider.
EIGHTH: Lamorna owns last-running style in field with ample speed. Toasted Roll could play out as the swiftest of the swift. Masterof the Tunes can be effective from on or off the pace; price will be tempting.
NINTH: Pipes and Drums drilled three times since claimed last month; class drop adds to appeal. Air Show could be in the garden spot if pace meltdown ensues. Briterdayzahead consistently fires strong efforts; be no surprise.
TENTH: Beautiful Love should make forward move in second stateside start. Mixologist overcame slow fractions and wide journey to win last by disqualification; dangerous. Macanga could prove tough on an unchallenged lead.
ELEVENTH: Poker Joker is rested, drops and packs potent kick on "A" effort. Flicker, an uncoupled barn mate of top selection, is riding a forward line on late-pace and final figures. Out of Favor makes first start with maiden-claiming tag for Chad Brown; worth long look. Victory Dash's speed gives him a puncher's chance at a price.
