Steve Matthews' Belmont selections for Friday, July 8
Best bet: WHO HOO THATS ME (7)
Best value: CLOUD FOREST (5)
FIRST: M. C. Double R gets surface switch after taking backward step in last; rebounds on turf. New York Panther owns grass breeding on both sides of pedigree; dangerous. Sea Cruise is from a dam that has produced a turf winner; very interesting.
SECOND: Alwayz Late packs potent kick on best efforts and fired 3-furlong bullet this past Saturday. Bay Storm logged both wins on Belmont sod; worth long look. Ready To Venture should be aided by slight cutback in distance.
THIRD: Got the Gold fired 5-furlong bullet for first start since determined maiden score in last; pairs up. Storm Shooter is speedy and can prove very tough on a soft lead. Breaking Stones was a clear-cut second at this level in last; must consider.
FOURTH: British Royalty tallied sharp final fraction when a game second in two-mile Belmont Gold Cup last time; rail draw seals the deal. Admission Office owns a win and a second in two starts on Belmont turf; dangerous. Soldier Rising is a last-race winner that owns faster back numbers; right in the thick of this.
FIFTH: Cloud Forest gets Lasix and drilled six times since strong placing in debut; takes next forward step. Sidekick, a late-running third in first start, could be aided by added ground. Making It has trained strongly since much-improved second in last; must be factored into the mix.
SIXTH: U Should B Dancing should find potent late wallop intensified with cutback to 6 furlongs. Freedomofthepress could be ideally positioned in the stalker's seat; very playable. Mandy Green was compromised by wide trip in last; don't ignore.
SEVENTH: Who Hoo Thats Me notched swift internal numbers in last; breakthrough predicted. Colormepazzi could play out as the speed of the speed with aggressive handling. Major Spin adds blinkers and turns back to sprint; worth long look.
EIGHTH: Invincible Gal fits the quintessential Chad Brown profile; ready to roll. could be in the garden spot if pace meltdown ensues. Nazuna, Nazuna, an uncoupled barn mate of top selection, could be in the garden spot if pace meltdown ensues. Parnac, a winner of both starts in Germany, gets the meds for stateside debut; very interesting.
NINTH: Luca At the Spa tallied rapid late-pace figure when third in key race last out; more to give. Slugo is working sharply for switch to sod; price will be tempting. Martinez was a clear-cut second in last; must consider. Moon Hunter was victimized by wide trip in last; don't dismiss.
