Steve Matthews' Belmont at the Big A selections for Saturday, Sept. 28
Best bet: DRAGONEER (1)
Best value: LINCOLN HAWK (10)
FIRST: Dragoneer tallied solid late-pace figure when third in debut; gets there today. Thunder Roll was a front-end second in last; dangerous. Aviator Gui moves to turf for Chad Brown; must respect.
SECOND: America's Honor drops and should pack amplified kick with slight cutback. Man of Mischief should be aided by return to dirt. Ennis Town compiled tight work tab at Fair Hill training base; could be the goods.
THIRD: Backstretch Rose fired 3-furlong bullet since clear-cut win in last; takes another. Belle of the Ball logged both wins on Big A loam; very interesting. Street Jam takes suspicious price plunge after being idle for 11 months; fire sale?
FOURTH: Crupi will need help up front but rates class based on price. Skippylongstocking is the main speed; be no surprise. Tapit Trice owns competitive numbers on best efforts.
FIFTH: Neural Network makes third start of form cycle. Bourbon Chase adds blinkers and should be near the lead in paceless race. Shadow Dragon would be aided by front-end meltdown.
SIXTH: War Like Goddess, 2-for-2 on Big A sod, owns field's fastest late-pace figures. Get Smokin could prove very tough on a soft lead. Far Bridge exits front-running score in Grade 1 Sword Dancer; right in the thick of this.
SEVENTH: Melle Mel has trained swiftly since failing to deliver when 85 cents on the dollar in debut; gets another chance. Carol Said No could take this field wire to wire. Nilo's Rose noticeably picked up the tempo in final work; worth long look.
EIGHTH: Graceful Warrior was a tough-trip seventh in debut; improvement predicted. Miss C Banker took backward step in last after front-end placing in prior; rebound threat. Vehemente moves to grass for potent dirt-to-turf barn; must consider.
NINTH: Mufasa has trained strongly since handy win at Colonial last out; ready for prime time. Seven's Eleven could play out as the main speed on the rail with aggressive rider aloft. Dean Delivers makes first local start after winning four straight; must be factored into the mix.
10TH: Lincoln Hawk was compromised by slow splits last time; amplified wallop with cutback to shorter route. Beuys gets class relief and owns competitive numbers on best races. Magical Ways should be near the front of the pack on surface that's played kind to speed; don't ignore.
11TH: Flying Mohawk exits much-improved placing in last; more to come. Zulu Kingdom has yet to taste defeat in two starts; likely underlay. Concord Green made sustained rally to win debut; don't overlook.
12TH: Yingle Bells owns sprinter's speed and adds blinkers; come and catch her. Prairie Dunes will be in the garden spot if top selection wilts on the lead. Taparino is another that would benefit from pace meltdown. Guile should move forward with return to dirt.
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