Steve Matthews’ Belmont selections for Friday, May 27

Best Bet: SUSIE’S A COWGIRL (8)

Best Value: CODY’S NOTE (6)

FIRST: Lethal Shot could secure unchallenged lead with aggressive ride in juvenile turf crap shoot. Dangerous Dan was a clear-cut second in debut; dangerous. California Swing debuts for Christophe Clement; could be the goods.

SECOND: Spectacular Flash returns to dirt and could be ideally positioned in the stalker’s seat. Just Sisters was a front-end winner in last; very dangerous. Reign is competitive on best efforts. Over My Head owns speed and pulls weight from the field; very interesting.

THIRD: Royal Temptress logged six tightly grouped works for first start in 64 days; primed and ready. My Cara Mia makes third start of form cycle and owns win on Belmont sod; worth long look. Paige packs solid late kick on best efforts. Quest also owns strong stretch wallop and has won both stateside starts; right in the thick of this.

FOURTH: Crescent Street logged only win on Belmont turf and is training with a purpose for first start since October. Ross J Dawg owns fast figures and notched a win and a second in two starts on Belmont grass; very dangerous. Bankers Holiday owns a running style that could be well served with switch to grass. Kerry Boy is speedy and logged only win on Belmont sod; worth long look at long price.

FIFTH: Lebowski tallied improved pace and final figs when besting a next-out winner last time; rates close call. Appealing Miss owns speed and hails from white-hot John Kimmel barn; very playable. Tizthefastlaine is rested and gets potent class drop; must be factored into the mix.

SIXTH: Cody’s Note notched rapid final fraction when a last-to-first winner on April 23; pairs up at fat ticket. Hirschbein also packs strong late kick and exits race that winner return to score again; big-time player. Sir Maurice makes third start of form cycle and logged only win on Belmont turf; price will be tempting. Momma’s Mark also makes peak outing of form cycle and also tallied lone win on Belmont grass.

SEVENTH: Cuadrante was an easy winner in last at Prx and owns faster back numbers. Mighty Zealous is fresh and owns fast final numbers on best efforts; very dangerous. Outlash gets class relief after failing to defeat a runner in last start; more than good enough if all is well.

EIGHTH: Susie’s a Cowgirl is fleet-footed and logged only lifetime win on Belmont grass; sharp recent work tab is the clincher. Ortiga compiled endurance-building work slate for first start since November; amplified kick at 7 furlongs. Orient Harbor was a hard-charging third in last and should have more to give in second start since six-month absence.

NINTH: Complicated is rested and owns field’s fastest final fractions. Lady Soul could play out as the controlling speed in grass debut. Laquesta gets the meds for 3-year-old debut; very interesting. Deltalina owns a second and a third in two starts; must be factored into the mix.