Steve Matthews' Belmont at the Big A selections for Thursday, June 27

June 24, 2024

Best bet: KAREN'S HONOR (1)

Best value: CUT THE CORD (3)

FIRST: Karen's Honor bounced last time after strong third in prior; rebounds. Blenheim Baby owns a win and three seconds from four starts; obvious. Charisse logged only win on Big A loam.

SECOND: Bank Frenzy tallied fast final fraction when a front-end winner in last; more to come. Donegal Momentum visually and numerically impressed when winning debut; could easily take another. Reddington's speed must be respected.

THIRD: Cut the Cord fired half-mile bullet since useful fifth last time; forward move predicted. Mighty Atlas is riding a two-race winning streak; very dangerous. Shadow Dragon has trained sharply since even third in last; must consider.

FOURTH: Redo was a tough-trip fourth in last at Horseshoe Indiana; call based on price. Enigmatic could play out as the main speed on a soft lead; very playable. Our Finest Hour adds blinkers and drops into maiden claimer; right in the thick of this.

FIFTH: Pauciloquent owns speed and gets class relief; big effort on tap. Book of Wisdom exits maiden score and owns faster back figures; very interesting. Sun and Wind tallied only victory on Aqueduct dirt; don't ignore.

SIXTH: Scuttlebutt owns four wins from six starts on Big A sod; comes back running. Ten Cent Town could be ideally positioned in the stalker's seat. Acoustic Ave makes third start of form cycle; don't overlook.

SEVENTH: On the Ledge compiled tight work tab for first start in more than a year; ready. Stanley Rough was a much-improved second in last; dangerous. Nippy Fitz makes first start with maiden-claiming tag; price will be tempting.

EIGHTH: Any Port is fresh, owns positional speed and logged a pair of endurance-building 5-furlong works for return. Collaboration is fleet-footed, owns fast figures and loves Big A grass; very dangerous. Self Confident was a determined maiden winner at Monmouth last time and could fall through the cracks in the wagering. Sacred Image fits the classic Chad Brown profile; must respect.

NINTH: Fit as a Fiddle adds blinkers and drops; weakness of field is selection's strength. Starlight Dancer looms the prime beneficiary if pace meltdown ensues. Lil' Hayadoin fired half-mile bullet for first start in 90 days; very interesting. Majulu is training swiftly for debut; stay tuned to the tote.