Steve Matthews' Belmont at the Big A selections for Memorial Day, May 26
Best Bet: BRAVE BUCK (6)
Best Value: OUR LIBERTY BELLE (7)
FIRST: In Time compiled tight work tab for first start since last fall; ready. Lady Firefoot logged two of her three wins on Big A sod; dangerous. Eternal Silence has faced graded stakes fields in last two starts; must consider.
SECOND: Loveumissumeanit was pace- and trip-compromised last time; class drop seals the deal. Starlight Dancer owns fast back figures; worth long look. Purest Performance owns positional speed and will offer fat odds; don't ignore.
THIRD: Posse Rocks was second to a runaway winner in debut; more to come. Observer owns two seconds and a third from last three starts; another minor award? Five Dozen Roses owns win-early bloodlines on both sides of pedigree; follow the money.
FOURTH: City Blocks tallied sharp pace figure in last; improvement predicted. Dream On Cara bested a next-out winner by nearly four lengths when second in last; dangerous. Lookin to Rock should improve with return to dirt; worth long look.
FIFTH: Eighty Gold is from a dam that has produced a turf winner; surface switch makes the difference. Roofer is fleet-footed and could prove very tough on a soft lead. Ferris Muler could be in the garden spot if pace meltdown ensues.
SIXTH: Brave Buck has trained sharply since hard-charging score in debut on April 11; sharp recent works seal the deal. Reynolds Channel owns fast late-pace and final figures; dangerous. Fly'n Frisbee bounced last time after fast-figured win in prior; rebound threat.
SEVENTH: Our Liberty Belle tallied swift final fraction when winning last; pairs up. Luna Moth is fresh and packs potent kick on best efforts. Save Us Melania consistently delivers strong efforts; must consider.
EIGHTH: Not for Hire projects as the speed of the speed with heads-up handling. Bosun could be the prime beneficiary if top selection hits the wall. Waralo is another that would be aided by pace meltdown.
NINTH: Right to Win makes first start with maiden-claiming tag; primed for breakthrough. My Man Magoo owns speed, is rested and drops into maiden claimer. Majorca is another that's quick from gate and gets class relief; don't ignore. Dark Devil could impact if able to transfer dirt form to grass; worth a look.
