Steve Matthews' Belmont at the Big A selections for Thursday, July 4
Best bet: CLOUDY (6)
Best value: BE LIKE CLINT (7)
FIRST: Italian Soiree is training swiftly for debut. Gata Brazil owns win-early breeding. Home Wrecker is from a dam that has produced a stakes winner; charting a must.
SECOND: Miz Sense was compromised by slow start last time. Ichiban is speedy and fresh; dangerous. Sedona packs potent late kick; must consider.
THIRD: Mouffy logs fast late-pace figures on "A" efforts. Lady Beth will prove very tough on a soft lead. Damaso is riding a two-race winning streak; right in the thick of this.
FOURTH: No Tricks is firing bullets for first start in 54 days; main speed with proper ride. Silvology displayed strong late kick in debut; very dangerous. Tirupati owns a second and two thirds from three starts; must consider.
FIFTH: Enigmatic wheels back in a hurry after dominant maiden score this past Thursday; takes another. Call Her Bluff was freshened after winning two in a row this past spring; worth long look. Cover the Spread owns competitive numbers on best efforts; don't ignore.
SIXTH: Cloudy should pack amplified kick with cutback to 6 furlongs. Boat's a Rockin could play out as the speed of the speed with Kendrick Carmouche aboard. Son of a Birch would be aided by pace meltdown.
SEVENTH: Be Like Clint was pace- and trip-compromised last time; deserves another chance. Going Concern fits the classic Chad Brown profile; enough said. Catch a Wave, another from the Brown barn, makes third start of form cycle; big-time danger.
EIGHTH: Golden Degree has turned into a buzzsaw (winning last two by a combined 40 lengths) since moving to Linda Rice barn; cuts these to ribbons. Emery owns three wins from four starts; big-time player. Halina's Forte exits fast-figured score in high-priced claimer last time; don't dismiss.
NINTH: Tongue Twister makes first start with maiden-claiming tag after showing improved speed in last; primed for breakthrough. Lucky and Gorgeous is bred to handle move to grass. Bossy Jeans is rested and training consistently; very interesting. Dubawi Wowie could be aided by pace meltdown.
