Steve Matthews' Belmont at the Big A selections for Thursday, Oct. 31
Best bet: THE TACO LADY (4)
Best value: NOW AND LATER (7)
FIRST: Dunedin Causeway has trained swiftly since leaving the track in an ambulance on Sept. 14; all is well. Boom Boom Thunder owns speed and needed last; worth long look. Unswayed was second to a much-the-best winner in last at Laurel; must be factored into the mix.
SECOND: Janssen tallied solid final fraction when a clear-cut second in last; more to come. Senegal runs late and should be aided by slight cutback. Can't Stand Disco drops and returns to dirt; wake-up potential.
THIRD: Squints is training with a purpose for first start in 11 weeks; "A" game takes this. Iridescent also is fresh and could be ideally positioned in the stalker's seat. Boss Tweed is a front-running threat on best efforts; must consider.
FOURTH: The Taco Lady should pack amplified late wallop at 7 furlongs. Shop Lifting, an uncoupled barn mate of top selection, should move forward with return to dirt. Fashion Victim has trained strongly since sharp second in debut; right in the thick of this.
FIFTH: Teller to Win regressed in last after strong third in debut; bounce-back effort on tap. Nilo's Rose was a clear-cut second in first start; logical, short-priced player. Someone exits clear-cut placing after fanning seven wide on the far turn; worth long look.
SIXTH: J J's Joker is riding a forward line on the numbers; added ground plays to strength. Cool Operator is speedy and will prove very tough on a soft lead. Because the Night was a hard-fought second at this level in last; hard to ignore.
SEVENTH: Now and Later is 1-for-1 at the 11-furlong distance; price should be on your side. Tide of the Sea, an uncoupled stable mate of top pick, owns speed and could prove a tough customer on an unchallenged lead. Late Call could find the marathon trip right in his wheelhouse.
EIGHTH: Swift Magic gets blinkers and makes first start since gelded; wire to wire with proper ride. More Therapy runs late and could be in the garden if top selection hits the wall. Coach Umbria is from a dam that has produced two turf winners; very interesting. Friend Ofthe Devil is firing bullet for first grass start; don't ignore.
