Steve Matthews' Belmont at the Big A selections for Saturday, May 3
Best bet: FLY'N FRISBEE (3)
Best value: AWESOME CZECH (9)
FIRST: Season's first 2-year-old race. Kadabra, the only member of five-horse field to have raced, was a clear-cut second in debut at Keeneland. Gena B is from a dam that has produced an astounding nine winners from 13 foals; could be a runner. Always Ready is a longer-priced, uncoupled barn mate of top selection; seen more than my share of these win.
SECOND: No No Joe ships in for Philly-based barn after winning last at Keeneland; nice fit. Dillinger was a game second in last; dangerous. Paxsational owns speed and should be aided by slight cutback.
THIRD: Fly'n Frisbee withstood pace pressure to break maiden last time; more to come. Ari's Magic is favorably posted in compact field; worth long look. Miles and Miles could prove very tough on a soft lead.
FOURTH: Prince of Truth is rested, training sharply and drops; timid call in weak bunch. Mr. Mendelssohn could be positioned in the stalker's seat; big-time threat. Camm' Duke owns speed but lacks heart; mixed message.
FIFTH: Nine N Four was a tough-trip third in last; improvement predicted. Magic Beach bested top selection by nearly seven lengths on April 11 but has nasty tendency to lose ground in the stretch; proceed with caution at short price. Good Moments bounced last time after sharp second in debut; very interesting.
SIXTH: Starlight Dancer has benefit of the rail on tight-turned turf course. Backcheck could be in the garden spot if pace meltdown ensues. Mommy's Turn gets Lasix and makes turf debut for Chad Brown; need more?
SEVENTH: Bold Journey took backward step in last after fast-figured fifth in prior; forward move with switch to sod. Twenty Six Black owns three wins on Big A grass; very dangerous. Apollo Ten is firing bullets for first start since last fall; must consider. Senbei is 2-for-3 on Aqueduct turf; right in the thick of this.
EIGHTH: Cees Gets Degrees projects as the main speed with Kendrick Carmouche aboard. Jake Rocks could be in the catbird seat if top selection hits the wall. Kunshan Bridge is another that would be aided by pace meltdown.
NINTH: Awesome Czech compiled solid work tab for first start since December; ready. Hola Gata fits Chad Brown's signature pattern; very playable. Scarlet Poppy was rested after winning three in a row; training sharply for return.
10TH: Kay Army, a Chilean import, is an otherworldly 10-for-10; hard to get past. Deterministic won Grade 3 Hill Prince in last start on Aqueduct grass; must consider. Master Piece won this race last year; worth long look.
11TH: Bronx Bomber made menacing middle move at quarter pole last time; set for best in third start of form cycle. Allure of Money bounced last time after game placing two back; rebound potential. Hot Rod Rumble could play out as the speed of the speed; don't ignore. Return the Ring gets class relief after failing to beat a horse in last two starts; damaged goods?
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