Steve Matthews' Belmont at the Big A selections for Saturday, Oct. 12
Best bet: DEBATE (2)
Best value: PAPA ROCKET (4)
FIRST: Aleah Aleah projects as the speed of the speed with Kendrick Carmouche aboard. Forward Move could be in the garden if top selection hits the wall. Messi the Magician is rested and training with a purpose.
SECOND: Debate tallied swift final fraction when winning last; takes another. Clubhouse will be favorably positioned near the front end; dangerous. Night Effect was a clear-cut second in last; must consider.
THIRD: Linda Rice entry: Spring Magic owns speed and drops and mate Belle of the Ball also gets class relief and would be aided by pace meltdown. Spiritual Lady regressed in last after clear-cut score in prior. Fullmoonmagic could impact if fractions get hot and hectic.
FOURTH: Papa Rocket drops and after making menacing middle move in last; set for breakthrough in third start of form cycle. Charging Aero is riding a two-race winning streak; worth long look. Nolo Contesto makes first start since claimed by Rob Atras; must be factored into the mix.
FIFTH: Spaliday fits the signature Chad Brown profile. Macanga could prove very tough on a soft lead. Style Points has won two of last three; don't ignore.
SIXTH: Keewaydin tallied swift number when third in debut; one of only three with experience in field of nine. Antisocial, the other runner with a start, debuts in stakes field. Skyrush owns win-early bloodlines; charting a must.
SEVENTH: Loon Cry has won three in a row; keeps on giving. Love Appeals, an uncoupled barn mate of top pick, regressed in last after winning two straight; dangerous. Tequilera could be ideally positioned in the stalker's seat.
EIGHTH: Bettrluckythangood was pace- and trip-compromised last out. Laurel Valley is a front-running threat on best effort. Gem Mint Ten was a useful fourth in first start since two-month absence; don't overlook.
NINTH: Colloquy logged five tight works since determined win eight weeks ago; more to come. Pentathlon should be aided by cutback to mile. Mama's Gold is speedy and looms a front-end threat on "A" game.
10TH: Top of the Table drops and gets favorable cutback to sprint. Splashy could be in the catbird seat if pace meltdown comes to pass. Superstarsusan is competitive on best races.
12TH: Atomic Age tallied deceptively fast late-pace figure when seventh in debut; forward move predicted. English Law raced much closer to the pace last time; very interesting. The Warden fired half-mile bullet since second in debut at Laurel; worth long look. Davy Crockett has delivered strong efforts in both starts; right in the thick of this.
