Steve Matthews' Belmont at The Big A selections for Saturday, Oct. 22
Best Bet: SKYLANDER (2); Best Value: FUNNY HOW (4)
FIRST: Treasured Gem has drilled three times since last start; improvement predicted. Nyxed is bred to make forward move with switch to sod; interesting. Liguria was second to a dominant winner in debut; must consider.
SECOND: Skylander wheels back in a hurry after eight-length score on Oct. 8; more to come. Buckingham Prince is fresh and working sharply; very playable. Bezos is a much-the-best, last-race winner that could fall through the cracks in the wagering.
THIRD: Plum Alis logged swift late-pace figure when a strong second in last; four works in the interim seal the deal. Messidor also packs potent kick on best efforts; worth long look. Kept Waiting is 2-for-2 on Big A turf; right in the thick of this.
FOURTH: Funny How was a hard-charging maiden winner versus open company in last; return to NY-bred ranks is key. Kant Hurry Love is speedy and will prove very tough on a soft lead. Juliana's Rose logged only win on Big A loam; don't ignore.
FIFTH: R Rose' All Day compiled tight work tab for first start since August; breakthrough predicted. Sun Bee has finished second in both starts; runner-up again. More Than a Diva and Akayla, uncoupled runners for Chad Brown barn, could easily make forward moves in second career starts.
SIXTH: Skellig is fleet-footed and adds blinkers; main speed with proper handling. Classic Legacy has drilled six times since non-threatening fifth in debut; very interesting. Scootscoot flashed speed and faded first time out; tighter today.
SEVENTH: Celestial City was a determined winner in first start on Aqueduct grass; pairs up. Mackinnon is fresh, owns fast figures and makes first start for Chad Brown; very dangerous. Unanimous Consent, 1-for-1 on Big A sod, could easily take this on best effort.
EIGHTH: Pagett makes first start with maiden-claiming tag; throw deep in weak field. M. C. Double R was a sharp third in last; logical contender. Saratoga Banker was a tough-trip sixth in debut; price will be tempting.
NINTH: Chulainn is training with a purpose at Fair Hill base; rail draw is the clincher. Steady On, a front-end maiden winner last time, could play out as the controlling speed once again. Danzigwiththestars packs potent late kick on best efforts; don't dismiss.
TENTH: Not Phar Now wheels back in a hurry after front-running score on Oct. 7; more to come. Deep Cover could be ideally positioned in the stalker's seat; dangerous. Yarrow could impact if pace meltdown ensues. Ghos Giant should pack amplified late wallop with cutback to sprint; right in the thick of this.
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