Steve Matthews' Belmont at The Big A selections for Thursday, Sept. 11

By Steve Matthewssteve.matthews@newsday.comSeptember 10, 2025

Best Bet: PURLOIN (8)

Best Value: OCALA DREAM (6)

FIRST: Germantown switches to grass after useful sixth in debut; forward move predicted. Always Ready, an uncoupled barn mate of top pick, also makes first turf start. Alibi debuts for Chad Brown; obviously must be considered.

SECOND: Stylish Gem drops and moves to dirt; improvement expected. Peace of Gold also gets class relief and switches surfaces; must consider. Grit N Glitter is from a dam that has produced two winners from two foals to start; follow the money.

THIRD: Gone and Forgotten should pack amplified kick with cutback to sprint. Majestic Return, an uncoupled stable mate of top pick, is fleet-footed and could prove tough on a soft lead. Collect the Data was rested after fast-figured score on July 24; likely underlay.

FOURTH: Cara's Dreamchaser is from a dam that has thrown two turf winners. Flying Phoebe could appreciate today's longer trip. Miami Style makes third start of form cycle; worth long look.

FIFTH: Toolpusher tallied fast late-pace figure when second in last at Mountaineer; ready for prime time. Spoken Bluntly could prove very tough to collar on a soft lead. Java Buzz, another that's speedy, owns a win on Big A sod.

SIXTH: Ocala Dream drops, returns to dirt and cuts back in distance; big effort on tap. Shipsational consistently logs fast figures. Jackson Heights never got going in the Saratoga slop last time.

SEVENTH: Snowy Evening should possess intensified wallop with turnback to shorter route. Red Burgundy is a serious wire-to-wire threat on "A" effort. Gallant Greta overcame rough start to win last; must be factored into the mix.

EIGHTH: Purloin, 1-for-1 on Big A loam, tallied swift final fraction when winning last at Churchill Downs; pairs up. Baby Sassicaia broke maiden by more than six lengths last out; dangerous. Moon Cache regressed in last after fast-figured third in prior; rebound threat. Cararra should be aided by return to dirt; right in the thick of this.