Steve Matthews' Belmont at the Big A selections for Friday, May 17
Best bet: LOCKE AND KEY (6)
Best value: ALLEY'S SONG (4)
FIRST: Justhefactsjack is training swiftly for first start since last summer; ready. Leslie's Humor tallied solid late-pace figure when third in debut; dangerous. Coif, a $400K yearling, debuts for Chad Brown; need more?
SECOND: Breath Away owns field's fastest late-pace figures. Malleymoo, an uncoupled barn mate of top pick, is effective from on or off the pace. Swoop to Finish went to the sideline after determined win on Gulfstream grass in January; big-time player on best.
THIRD: Deputy Connect runs late and should be aided by today's additional furlong. Bobby the Tank owns speed but lacks heart; must take the good with the bad. Flashy Alex is riding a forward line on the numbers; don't ignore.
FOURTH: Alley's Song was pace- and trip-compromised last out; class drop seals the deal. Frannie Lew tallied improved internal numbers in last; big effort on tap. Moonlit Weekend was a one-paced fifth in last after clear-cut maiden score in prior; bounce-back threat.
FIFTH: Bustino Santino compiled tight work tab for first start in more than five months; weakness of field helps. Power Ten is from a dam that has produced a turf winner; wake-up potential. Barron's Bounce makes first start with maiden-claiming tag; must consider.
SIXTH: Locke and Key should pack intensified wallop with cutback to 6 furlongs. Little Luca was dueled into defeat last time; dangerous. Ten Cent Town owns fast figures and could be ideally positioned; very playable.
SEVENTH: Cajun Casanova fired 3-furlong bullet since last start; price drop is the clincher. Chocolate Shake exits fast-figured score in last; regresses today? Honorary Degree owns swift back numbers; price will be tempting.
EIGHTH: Disarmed projects as the speed of the speed with aggressive handling. Pioneering Spirit consistently logs fast figures; big-time threat. Grand Sonata could impact if pace meltdown ensues; worth long look.
NINTH: Spoofy noticeably picked up the tempo in final workout; set to roll. Boss Tweed owns speed, gets class relief and fired half-mile bullet last week; very dangerous. Price Is Truth needed last and drops; very interesting. Qorokwe owns competitive numbers and must be considered if able to escape AE list.
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