Steve Matthews' Belmont at the Big A selections for Sunday, Sept. 18
Best bet: MORE MANGO (7)
Best value: ROSIA BAY (3)
FIRST: Ohana Honor bested a next-out winner when logging fast late-pace figure in debut; added ground plays to strength. Montepulciano is training swiftly for move to dirt; big-time, front-running threat. Skellig logged two sharp drills since failing to fire when favored in debut; don't ignore.
SECOND: True Empress logged only win on Big A loam. My Delicious owns positional speed and could offer big odds; worth long look. Shamalamadingdong drops and returns to dirt; must consider.
THIRD: Rosia Bay was pace-compromised last time after logging solid final fraction in debut; ready to deliver. Kinchen fits the classic Chad Brown pattern; price is likely to be undervalued, however. Whiskey Lullaby owns speed and starts from hedge; hard to ignore.
FOURTH: Moonshiningbright could play out as the main speed with aggressive handling. Storm Shooter returns to dirt and gets class relief; dangerous. Forty Comets was a fast-figured winner at the Big A last winter; price will be tempting.
FIFTH: Randomized logged six tight drills since even third in debut; improvement predicted. Binsky rallied late in debut and could find mile trip right in her wheelhouse. Peace Cruiser was a game second when favored in first start; be no surprise.
SIXTH: Break the Ice outworked 151 rivals in final half-mile drill; primed at first asking. Forbidden Secret was a pole clear for second last time; logical, short-priced threat. Ee Yah also exits game placing in most recent; right in the thick of this.
SEVENTH: More Mango should pack strong late wallop with cutback to 6 furlongs. Quality Stones is fleet-footed and could prove very tough on a soft lead. Itsakeyper makes third start of form cycle and owns a win on Big A sod; very interesting.
EIGHTH: Curlin's Wisdom returns to dirt after breaking maiden on turf last out; transfers razor-sharp current condition. Dr. Blute tallied fast figures when engaging in strenuous stretch duel last time; bounces today? Forty Two Ace logged both wins at the Big A; must be factored into the mix.
NINTH: Gina Romantica notched visually impressive score last out; keeps on rolling. A Mo Reay was just a length behind top pick after wide trip on Aug.25; very playable. Howdyoumakeurmoney is speedy and rates a puncher's chance at beefy odds.
10TH: Jack the Cat is rested and earns field's fastest late-pace figures on "A" efforts. Shady McGee logged two works since clear-cut score on Ellis Park turf last time; worth long look. Monarchs Glen needed last and drops; very interesting. Hieroglyphics is a two-time winner on Big A sod; don't ignore.
