Steve Matthews' Belmont at the Big A selections for Saturday, June 28
Best Bet: THE COMMISH (11)
Best Value: SUNSHINE DANCER (8)
FIRST: Notah is training with a purpose for first start since October; call based on price potential. Winit owns fast numbers but drops in first outing since claimed; must take the good with the bad. Stolen Base was a clear-cut second in last; right in the thick of this.
SECOND: Bourbon Day owns fast late-pace figures and gets confident price boost in first start since claimed. Certified Loverboy is speedy and will prove very tough on a soft lead. English Conqueror is 1-for-1 on Big A sod; don't ignore.
THIRD: Bold Journey regressed when facing Grade 1 rivals last out; rebounds today. Twenty Six Black is 3-for-5 on Big A sod; dangerous. Senbei could get the lead by default in field that's lacking a front-runner.
FOURTH: Barb fired 5-furlong bullet since claimed by Mike Maker; main speed with proper ride. Vow of Secrecy tallied solid final fraction when second on March 29; stretch to mile could play to strength. Fully Booked adds blinkers and makes second start for Chad Brown; big-time player.
FIFTH: Tabeguache gets class relief after bouncing last time; forward move predicted. Street Swagg has finished second in last four starts; another placing? Screaming Uncle took backward step in last after strong efforts in prior two starts; very interesting.
SIXTH: Kenny Be returns to dirt, adds blinkers and projects as the controlling front-runner with heads-up handling. Fireballin made menacing middle move into hot pace last out; worth long look. Uncle George makes third start of form cycle; must be factored into the mix.
SEVENTH: Feral's Joy, idle for more than a year, makes first start since gelded; primed for big effort. Mo Kreesa could be aided by slight cutback in distance. Doomed has benefit of the rail and makes first start since claimed by Brad Cox; must consider.
EIGHTH: Sunshine Dancer drilled three times since useful sixth in debut; improvement predicted. Sir Oscar was a clear-cut second in last; dangerous. Terminal Velocity gets Lasix and moves to turf with suitable breeding; worth long look.
NINTH: Florida Flower drops after earning improved internal numbers in last; could make the top with aggressive ride. Dolce Sera exits game placing in last; logical contender. Santagata took backward step in last after five-length win in prior; right in the thick of this.
10TH: Patrick's Promise gets class relief and returns to grass; rates close call. King Freud tallied two crisp half-mile drills since non-stressful seventh in last; price will be tempting. John the Baptist will be favorably positioned near the front; don't ignore.
11TH: The Commish is training sharply for first start in nearly a year; blinkers/Lasix makeover for return seals the deal. Maybern never got going in debut that was moved to wet dirt; improvement expected on turf. Motel Patel is speedy and must be factored into the mix. Wind Dancer could impact if pace meltdown comes to pass.
