Steve Matthews' Belmont at the Big A selections for Friday, Oct. 18
Best bet: CREEK (3)
Best value: ZAPRUDER (10)
FIRST: Whatchatalkinabout owns stalker's style and could be ideally positioned in compact field. Excellent Timing drops after stopping last time; very dangerous on best effort. Vettriano is speedy and training swiftly; must consider.
SECOND: Always Charming drops after being done in by hot pace last time; forward move predicted. Beach Boy Al could be in the garden spot if top selection hits the wall. Emerald Forest also would be aided by pace meltdown.
THIRD: Creek outworked 57 rivals in half-mile bullet last week; big effort on tap. Mr Flowers should pack enhanced kick with cutback to shorter route; dangerous. Salacious owns speed and adds blinkers; front-end threat.
FOURTH: Jay's Love logged only win on Big A loam last spring; throw deep in weak field. Dashing Della could dash away to a clear early lead with aggressive handling. Find Your Joy also owns speed and must be given long look.
FIFTH: Time to Dazzle is training swiftly and gets class relief. Twirling Queen is fleet-footed and riding a four-race winning streak; big-time player. Moonlit Lady also owns speed and must be factored into the mix.
SIXTH: Beach Invasion stretches out and could capitalize on unchallenged lead. Corvus looms the prime beneficiary if top selection wilts in the lane. Hit the Post was third as the favorite last time; logical contender.
SEVENTH: Past Tense tallied solid late-pace figure when breaking maiden last out; pairs up. Boxed Wine was a tough-trip eighth in last; very playable. Diamond Status is speedy and rates a puncher's chance at a fat ticket.
EIGHTH: Mystic Night gets confident price hike in first start for new barn. Floki's Flight was a fast-figured, front-end winner in last; serious player. Fromanothamutha owns competitive back numbers; don't ignore.
NINTH: Barksdale projects as the swiftest of the swift with heads-up handling. Live High Live Low overcame slow splits to win last; worth long look. Smokey Smokey could be in the garden spot if pace meltdown ensues.
10TH: Zapruder is rested and packs potent kick on "A" efforts. Lt. Mitchell will be favorably positioned near the front in bulky field. Slapintheface owns four seconds from eight starts; another minor award? B D Saints exits game placing in last; must consider.
