Steve Matthews' Belmont at the Big A selections for Friday, Oct. 14
Best bet: BIRTHDAY TIME (9)
Best value: MAKART (4)
FIRST: Crupi logged fast late-pace figures in both starts; stretch to mile plays to strength. Signator was a pole clear for place honors in debut; dangerous. Tabeguache and Inflationary are uncoupled newcomers from the Chad Brown barn; neither would shock.
SECOND: Shadolamo drops and gets favorable cutback in distance. Quality Stones is speedy and could prove very tough on a soft lead. Alpine Queen regressed last time after fast-figured win two back; rebound threat.
THIRD: Shinsun is training sharply for first start in 58 days; primed. Marinara Sauced also is fresh, working well and packs potent late kick; very playable. Baldizar, a front-end winner on dirt in debut, could play out as the main speed once again.
FOURTH: Makart outworked 132 rivals in half-mile bullet this past Saturday; breakthrough predicted. Sinful Dancer drops and makes quick return after even fourth last week; big-time player. Clash A. J. is training consistently for first start since February; don't ignore.
FIFTH: Space Launch was a willing second in last; more to give. Laughing Boy owns positional speed in bulky field; very interesting. Kinenos is 1-for-1 on Big A sod and makes first start since claimed by Mike Maker; must consider.
SIXTH: Interpolate is training with a purpose for second start for Chad Brown; classic pattern. Material Witness debuts for high-percentage first-out sire; follow the money. Divine Cross is another newcomer with win-early pedigree; must be factored into the mix.
SEVENTH: Lord Gatling owns fast numbers on "A" efforts but takes suspicious class drop; mixed message. Midnight Worker makes third start of form cycle; dangerous. Once a Giant is competitive on best efforts.
EIGHTH: Poppy Flower gets class relief after bouncing last time; rebounds today. Gal in a Rush could rush past them all if pace meltdown ensues. Wonka is another that packs potent kick on best races; right in the thick of this.
NINTH: Birthday Time could be ideally placed in the stalker's seat; crisp 5-furlong drill last week seals the deal. Exotic Cat fired half-mile bullet for first start in 55 days; worth long look at long price. Lady Firefoot owns sprinter's speed and could prove very tough on a soft lead. Brisky Frolic makes first start with maiden-claiming tag; must consider.
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