Steve Matthews' Belmont at the Big A selections for Friday, Oct. 28
Best bet: GOING IN STYLE (1)
Best value: GIRL OF TOSCONOVA (7)
FIRST: Going in Style displayed improved speed in last; more to come. Winning Connection was a tough-trip third in debut; dangerous. Churro was bet heavily when fifth in first start; must consider.
SECOND: Lord Gatling drew off to easy score just two weeks ago and owns faster back numbers; pairs up. Mr. Briggs is quick from gate and could prove tough on a soft lead. Forestwood Lane bested second pick by nearly a length on Oct. 6; right in the thick of this.
THIRD: Tizzy in the Sky logged fast figures in all three starts; paltry price is the problem. Vienna Code will be aided by return to dirt; worth long look. Wasp consistently delivers strong efforts; logical contender.
FOURTH: Silvestri was a determined winner in North American debut at Woodbine last out; repeats. Oakhurst is fresh and owns fast numbers; big-time threat. Miss Bonnie T is riding a two-race winning streak; must be factored into the mix.
FIFTH: Red Butterfly has drilled sharply since second in debut; keeps on giving. Midtown Lights is another that has worked strongly since first start; very dangerous. Bode's Girl was a hard-charging third in lone grass start; don't overlook.
SIXTH: Gagliano makes third start of form cycle after improved placing in last; set for best. Handle the Truth was second to a repeat winner when 42-1 last time; tempting price once again. Wicked Lady regressed in last after fast-figured win in prior; bounce-back threat.
SEVENTH: Girl of Tosconova has been sidelined since July 3 but was a winner after similar layoff last winter; history repeats. Respect My Candor owns speed and fast figures; dangerous in first start since arriving from SoCal. Royal Meghan owns fast numbers and is firing bullets for first start since May but takes suspicious price plunge; you've been warned.
EIGHTH: Implicated logged determined score in first start on Big A sod; takes another. Tax Implications, an uncoupled barn mate of top pick, was a dominant winner in debut on Monmouth grass; could be right one. Grand Oak owns sprinter's speed and could prove very tough on a soft lead.
NINTH: Three Zero was an improved third in last and should offer best price of the contenders in wide-open nightcap. Wico has trained strongly since third in last at Kentucky Downs; very playable. Unknown Agenda moves to grass for Todd Pletcher; worth long look. Deccan Prince is moving forward with each start; don't ignore.
