Steve Matthews' Belmont at the Big A selections for Sunday, Oct. 20
Best bet: RARE ART (3)
Best value: HALO CITY (8)
FIRST: Side Street returns to maiden ranks after willing third in Woodbine stakes last out. Vintage Vino was second in last two; another placing? De La Cruz tallied solid final fraction when second in last at Kentucky Downs; must consider.
SECOND: Roman Goddess was a hard-charging second in last; more to come in third start of form cycle. Bella Voce owns speed and could prove very tough on a soft lead. Princess Becca should be aided by cutback to 7 furlongs.
THIRD: Rare Art logged swift late-pace figure when fifth in last; forward move predicted. Duboff owns sprinter's speed and could prove very tough on a soft lead. Opulent Restraint fits the signature Chad Brown pattern; must respect.
FOURTH: Speightful Lily has shown a history of firing big efforts when rested; outside post seals the deal. Maggie T is fleet-footed and gets favorable cutback; dangerous. Cruise to Catalina owns two wins and a second from three starts; likely to attract the bulk of the cash.
FIFTH: Hazardous Humor drops after taking backward step in last; rebounds today. Backed by Gold defeated top pick by more than 10 lengths when third last out; obviously must be considered. Tosconova Beauty owns competitive figures on best efforts.
SIXTH: Dream On Cara is riding a forward line on the numbers; breakthrough predicted. Nikki Brainburst was a much-improved second in last; big-time threat. Focus Pocus makes first start since claimed by Rudy Rodriguez; must be factored into the mix.
SEVENTH: One More Dance (fast late-pace figure in debut), Giant's Audible (exits sprint and adds blinkers) and Bryant and Cooper (rough start in first outing) are all below AE line but will rate top calls if able to draw into body of race. Saratoga Snow was a sharp second in last; logical. Heavenly Light failed to fire when favored in last; don't ignore.
EIGHTH: Halo City should pack intensified late wallop with cutback to sprint. Theresasilverlinin is quick from gate and could play out as the dominant speed. Belle of the Ball is rested and logs solid numbers on "A" efforts.
NINTH: Summer Whirl notched swift late-pace figure in last; must escape AE list. Bobby M's Girl made wide sustained run to break maiden in last; very dangerous. Midnight Concerto logged three tight works for first start in eight weeks; worth long look. Highway Harmony will be favorably positioned near the front in bulky field.
10TH: Barefoot Disco was a hard-charging second in last; rates top call if able to scratch into field. Sinead is fresh and turns back to sprint; solid work tab adds to appeal. Autumn was a change-of-pace second in most recent; very playable. Long Legged Queen was second in both starts; must consider.
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