Steve Matthews' Belmont selections for Thursday, May 19
Best bet: SCREAMIN' BY (4)
Best value: IMMORTALIZATION (6)
FIRST: Myriskyaffair runs late and should find Thursday's marathon distance right in her wheelhouse. Personal Best was a strong third in last at Keeneland; dangerous. Reign of Love has the benefit of the rail on tight-turned course; don't ignore.
SECOND: Tamburro's Sox projects as the speed of the speed with proper ride. Motion to Strike also is quick from gate and has trained sharply since breaking maiden last out; big-time player. Wicked Mad could be in the garden spot if top pair hook on the lead.
THIRD: She's a Black Belt makes quick return (six days) and drops; forward move predicted. Quality Stones is fleet-footed and also gets class relief; very playable. Big Al's Gal was a game second in last; hard to ignore.
FOURTH: Screamin' By compiled tight work tab for first start since November; screamin' by in the stretch. Stony Point has delivered strong efforts in both starts; a bit too obvious. Anador, another logical contender, should pack intensified kick with cutback to 6 furlongs.
FIFTH: Honey Money succumbed to swift splits last time; softer flow expected. Easy to Bless could be ideally positioned in the stalker's seat; dangerous. Shesalittle Edgy was a clear-cut winner in valuable race over the track on April 29; right in the thick of this.
SIXTH: Immortalization was a visually impressive victor in first start on turf; more to come. Lindros was a surging winner in last at Laurel; price will be tempting. Boom Boom Kaboom is riding a two-race winning streak; must consider gelding in career-best condition.
SEVENTH: Somebody compiled three sharp drills for first start since seven-week freshener; big effort on tap. Demo Doctor is fast from the gate and drops; worth long look. Alcools takes suspicious price plunge in first start for new barn; fire sale?
EIGHTH: Sassy Melissa wasn't overly stressed when winning with help of fast pace last out; takes another. Guardian Moon should be tighter in second start since two-month layoff. Purrageous Dyna could impact at fat ticket if fractions get fast and furious.
NINTH: Vocalize drops and gets favorable cutback in distance; must escape AE list. Committed is training with a purpose for first start since July; breakthrough potential. Overexaggerate gets Lasix and moves to turf in first start since gelded; wake-up threat. Necromancer has failed as the favorite in last three starts; you've been warned. Beckenbauer owns speed and rates a puncher's chance at beefy number.
More horse racing
