Steve Matthews' Belmont at the Big A selections for Friday, July 5
Best bet: MISTICAL CURLIN (7)
Best value: TIBERIUS MERCURIUS (3)
FIRST: Gringotts bounced last time after determined win in prior; class drop seals the deal. Slack Tide is speedy and could prove very tough on a soft lead. My First Love would be aided by fast fractions.
SECOND: Dancing Liana should pack enhanced kick with cutback to 7 furlongs. Welcome Back Babe makes first start with maiden-claiming tag; dangerous. Teresa could impact if pace meltdown ensues.
THIRD: Tiberius Mercurius is fresh and owns fast final numbers on "A" efforts; big race on tap. Paros gets class relief after logging improved late-pace figure in last; very playable. High Tide was hindered by wide trip in last; don't ignore.
FOURTH: Kingdom projects as the main speed with aggressive handling. Chileno will be in the garden spot if pace meltdown ensues. Daufuskie Island is right in the thick of this on best efforts.
FIFTH: Waflr was compromised by poor start last time; set for best in third start of form cycle. Perno is fleet-footed and could prove very tough on a soft lead. Within View makes first grass start with maiden-claiming tag; very interesting.
SIXTH: Cara's Dreamweaver noticeably picked up the tempo in final two workouts; bred to run on grass. Miss C Banker compiled sneaky-good training tab for debut; follow the money. Tahila is from a dam that has produced two turf winners; must consider.
SEVENTH: Mistical Curlin fired 5-furlong bullet for first start since hard-fought win on May 19; picks up where he left off. Archie the Giza has faced tougher in last three starts; worth long look. Power Seeker consistently delivers strong efforts; don't overlook.
EIGHTH: Next has won last three starts by a total of 47 lengths; next! Crupi was a determined winner of the Suburban last out; dangerous. Drake's Passage could prove very tough if able to control the flow; price will be tempting.
NINTH: Autumn worked twice since wide third in last; rail draw on tight-turned course is the clincher. Summer Whirl was a hard-charging third in debut and could be aided by today's added ground. She's a Natural was a better-than-it-looks seventh in last; price will be tempting. Bobby M's Girl was a two-move fifth in debut; very interesting.
