Steve Matthews' Belmont selections for Sunday, July 3
Best bet: MESSIDOR (8)
Best value: OCEAN'S RESERVE (9)
FIRST: Horrible way to start the card. Field of six unraced 2-year-olds. Why would anyone wager on such nonsense? Selections for the record: Perform. Lost Ark. Strong Finish.
SECOND: Regina moves to grass and makes first start with maiden-claiming tag; call based on price potential. Requestforproposal makes first start since claimed after failing as the favorite in four of five starts for Chad Brown barn; improves? Miscreant owns a second and a third in two starts; don't ignore.
THIRD: Cadeau de Paix drops and returns to dirt; forward move predicted. She's a Black Belt will be favorably positioned near the front; dangerous. Girl of Tosconova should be aided by cutback to sprint; worth long look.
FOURTH: Broken Spur projects as the main speed with heads-up handling. Almanzo could be in the garden spot if top selection hits the wall. Legends Can't Die is firing bullets for first start; could be the goods.
FIFTH: Ocala Dream upped record to 4-for-6 on Belmont sod when a clear-cut winner on May 30; more to come. Sifting Sands is fresh and training consistently for Chad Brown; big-time player. Emaraaty, an uncoupled barn mate of Sifting Sands, also fits the classic Brown profile. Hombre, a sharp winner in last at CD, returns to NY for capable connections; very interesting.
SIXTH: On the Hill could be ideally positioned in the stalker's seat; forward-moving 3-year-old at a price. Daufuskie Island compiled tight work tab for first start since gelded; be no surprise. Luni Sima delivers strong efforts with machinelike consistency; must consider.
SEVENTH: Higher Truth can win from on or just off pace for Chad Brown; paltry price is the problem. Cafe Fleur, an uncoupled barn mate of top selection, packs potent kick; obviously must be factored into the mix. Star Seeking is a front-running threat on best efforts.
EIGHTH: Messidor notched swift final fraction when a hard-charging winner in last; pairs up. Cheermeister could take this field wire to wire if allowed soft splits. Jouster was a change-of-pace third in last; right in the thick of this.
NINTH: Ocean's Reserve logged rapid late-pace figure when a game second in last; more to give in third start of form cycle. Beach Boy Al owns speed and fired half-mile bullet last week; dangerous. Sinful Dancer regressed in last after sharp placing in prior; rebound threat. Refuah owns three seconds from five starts; hard to ignore.
