Steve Matthews' Belmont at the Big A selections for Saturday, Oct. 5
Best bet: MASMAK (1)
Best value: FUNNY UNCLE (9)
FIRST: Masmak gets additional furlong after fast-closing second in last; sharp works in the interim seal the deal. Cuando owns speed and could prove very tough on a soft lead. Upstanding has finished third in both starts; more show dough?
SECOND: Rocked Out makes first start with maiden-claiming tag; improvement predicted. Viking Warrior (tight work tab) and Papa Paulie P (strong breeding on dam's side) are uncoupled newcomers from Rick Dutrow barn; charting a must.
THIRD: Daufuskie Island took backward step in last after fast-figured third in prior; rebounds. Silver Satin has won three of last four; dangerous. Quick to Accuse is fresh and logs fast figures on best efforts; very playable.
FOURTH: Natural Harbor drops for first start since claimed by Brad Cox; front-end danger if all is well. Legal Deal will be aided by cutback to 7 furlongs; very interesting. Sagamore Mischief is training with a purpose for first start since June; don't ignore.
FIFTH: El Rezeen is riding a two-race winning streak; love marathon trips. Carson's Run packs potent late kick. Legend of Time could be near the front in field that's light on speed.
SIXTH: Determined Kingdom could capitalize on unchallenged lead with heads-up handling. Outlaw Kid will be in the garden spot if top selection hits the wall. Axthelm is another that would benefit from pace meltdown.
SEVENTH: Senza Parole visually and numerically impressed when winning debut; more to come. The Queens M G failed to handle mud last out; dangerous on dry land. Paradise City fired crisp half-mile drill since game victory in debut; must be factored into the mix.
EIGHTH: Chancer McPatrick logged fast late-pace figures when winning both starts; gets hat trick. J J Zo Zo won two in a row at Monmouth and could play out as the main speed in local debut. Executive Order won debut by nearly eight lengths; worth long look.
NINTH: Funny Uncle tallied swift final fraction when winning last and logged sharp work tab for return. Addicted to You should pack enhanced wallop with cutback to shorter route; price will be tempting. Transactional exits determined score in last; likely underlay.
10TH: Bam's Bliss Kiss could play out as the speed of the speed with aggressive handling. Off Script has finished second at short odds in both starts; you've been warned. Usha ships in from SoCal for Bob Baffert; hard to ignore.
11TH: Vacation Dance gets class relief after useful sixth in last; forward move expected. Tall Paul moves to grass after sharp front-end win in last; dangerous. Scuttlebuzz owns four wins from six starts on Big A sod; very interesting.
12TH: Midway Lights, from a dam that has thrown three grass winners, drops and moves to turf; breakthrough predicted. Hurricane Express was compromised by slow fractions last time; dangerous. Steadfast Resolve was a clear-cut second after wide trip in last; right in the thick of this. Comanche Peak could impact if pace gets fast and furious; don't ignore.
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