Steve Matthews' Belmont at the Big A selections for Friday, May 24
Best bet: BE OF COURAGE (7)
Best value: CHASING DAYLIGHT (8)
FIRST: Wesley Ward entry: After Taxes and Honorary American are newcomers with sharp work tabs; best guess. Cheval de Guerre was a front-running second in debut; dangerous. Mister Monoclonal is from a dam that has produced a turf winner; follow the money.
SECOND: Gav's Dream Girl tallied fast final fraction when winning most recent start; takes another. First Class Cat also won last but has the specter of a voided claim; mixed message. Maggie takes precipitous class plunge; fire sale?
THIRD: Controlled Temper made sharp rally to win last and owns faster back numbers. La Grotte exits game placing and fired half-mile drill in the interim; worth long look. Irish Jackson is fresh and is more than good enough on "A" efforts.
FOURTH: Dark Pool tallied sharp late-pace figure when third last out; half-mile bullet in the interim seals the deal. Mizoula could play out as the controlling front-runner in field that's light on speed. Investment Process fits the classic Chad Brown profile; must respect.
FIFTH: Mucho Mama Mia drops after non-stressful effort in first start since eight-month layoff; improvement predicted. Practical Miss was a determined maiden winner in last; very playable. Proper Grammar owns speed and could land in exotics at fat number.
SIXTH: Geopolitics has trained with a purpose since sharp second in debut; ready for return. Aunt Yola has finished second in last two starts; runner-up again? La Banquera is working swiftly for debut; very interesting.
SEVENTH: Be of Courage logged rapid late-pace figure when a hard-fought winner in last; more to come. Sell Something compiled tight work tab for first start since last fall; dangerous. Let's Go Big Blue is another with solid training slate for return; right in the thick of this.
EIGHTH: Chasing Daylight was done in by swift fractions last time; softer flow predicted. Joey the Fish could be in the garden spot if top selection hits the wall. Foxy Cara is another that would be aided by pace meltdown; don't ignore.
NINTH: Solib owns speed, fast figures and makes first start since claimed; two swift half-mile works for return seal the deal. Mz Big Bucks was a front-running winner when returning from layoff last spring; very playable. Caldwell Luvs Gold gets Lasix and moves to grass for Brad Cox; worth long look. Soloshot is speedy and could prove very tough on an unchallenged lead.
