Steve Matthews' Belmont at the Big A selections for Thursday, Sept. 22
Best bet: FOURWAY STOP (1)
Best value: DEVILLY (9)
FIRST: Fourway Stop is training sharply for first start in 53 days; ready. Passionate Dream should move forward with switch to grass. Caly Bali (Brad Cox) and Ein Gedi (Chad Brown) are newcomers that must be factored into the mix if money shows.
SECOND: Monshun logged six tight works since last start; improvement predicted. Preposterous was a clear-cut second in last; dangerous. Reigning Chick should be aided by addition of Lasix; don't ignore.
THIRD: Community Adjusted logs fast late-pace figures on best efforts. Creative Cairo owns speed and could prove very tough on a soft lead. Rocky Sky makes third start of form cycle; logical, short-priced contender.
FOURTH: With Know Name should pack intensified kick with cutback to 6 furlongs. Somama Beach drops after pop-and-stop effort in debut; price will be tempting. M. C. Double R also gets class relief and moves back to dirt; very interesting.
FIFTH: Three Unions has worked three times since even third in debut; forward move predicted. Sweet Liberty was a fast-figured third in last; very playable. Stonewall Star bested "Liberty" by nearly two lengths when a willing second first out; could easily take this.
SIXTH: Deep Cover broke maiden this course and distance last fall; call based on price. Not Phar Now owns bulletlike speed and will prove very tough on an unchallenged lead. Yarrow could be sitting in the garden spot if pace collapse ensues.
SEVENTH: Lady of Thoroton was a tough-trip third in most recent turf outing; delivers big effort today. Dreamful almost always delivers big efforts but rarely finds the winner's circle; you've been warned. Extravagant Rosie was an eye-catching winner on Colonial Downs turf last out; price will be tempting.
EIGHTH: Mosienko is riding a two-race winning streak; gets hat trick. Chloe Rose bounced last time after hard-fought win in prior; rebound potential. To a T is a late-running threat on "A" efforts.
NINTH: Devilly gets class relief and cuts back to more favorable distance; two works since last start seal the deal. Mostly Harmless makes quick return after facing winners on Labor Day; very dangerous. Spicy Ginger drops and is working sharply for second start; must be factored into the mix. Always Connected, idle since January, delivered best effort in debut last fall; intriguing.
