Steve Matthews’ Belmont selections for Thursday, June 30

________________________________________

Best Bet: ASCEND (4)

Best Value: COZY KITTEN (9)

FIRST: Dynamo Flotilla tallied improved final fraction when a hard-charging second in last; more to give. Afleet’s Edge was a front-running maiden winner in last and could play out as the controlling speed once again. Frosti Agosti regressed in last after determined win in previous start; rebound potential.

SECOND: Kentucky Road owns speed, switches to grass and drops into claimer; controlling front-runner. Quigley’s Corner is riding a two-race winning streak and fired half-mile bullet last week; very dangerous. All Day Lawn makes peak start of form cycle after even fifth in last; don’t ignore.

THIRD: Laura’s Moon logged four tight works for first start since February; improvement predicted. Sabrina Ballerina notched swift pace and final figs when a clear-cut second in last; very playable. Grassarla is training swiftly for debut; could be the goods.

FOURTH: Ascend logged two endurance-building, 5-furlong works for first start in seven weeks; primed and ready. Artic North has been sidelined for nine months but packs potent late kick on “A” game; worth long look. Orino needed last and can prove very tough on an unchallenged lead.

FIFTH: Choir Director makes first start with maiden-claiming tag and fired half-mile bullet on June 20; set for best. Biaviian was second to a repeat winner in last; very dangerous. Tree Top Lover drops, returns to dirt and owns fast back number; right in the thick of this.

SIXTH: Czarmo is improving and should be aided by added ground. Invisible Crown wass a hard-charging second in last; big-time threat. It’s a Given showed speed and faded last time but should be tighter in second start since seven-month absence; don’t ignore.

SEVENTH: Broman entry: Highway Star tallied solid final fraction when a determined winner in debut and mate Day after Day was a front-end winner in first start; potent pairing. Hush Now is fresh and owns fast back numbers. Even Bette is training with a purpose for first start since December; price will be tempting.

EIGHTH: Ancient Goddess is working sharply for first start in seven months and should offer generous price in wide-open field. Sparkle Factor has tallied solid late-pace figs in all three U.S. starts; dangerous. Katie O was a front-running second in last; must consider. Roca Rojo is 2-for-2 and gets the meds in stateside debut for Chad Brown; likely underlay.

NINTH: Cozy Kitten drops and owns swift late-pace numbers on best efforts; call based on price in wide-open finale. North Slope owns fast figures and makes first start since claimed by Danny Gargan; very dangerous. Husband’s Folly makes peak start of form cycle and is more than good enough on best efforts. McIlory needed last and is a two-time winner on Belmont turf; must consider.