Steve Matthews' Belmont selections for Friday, April 29
Best bet: LOVE AND LOVE (8)
Best value: WINNING DRIVE (7)
FIRST: Chaysenbryn drilled three times since dominant win on March 18; more to come. Rice entry: Foxtail is speedy and fresh and mate Charge Account may secure stalker's seat; potent pairing. Wait A Minute wheels back on two weeks' rest after useful fifth in last; don't ignore.
SECOND: Preposterous, a front-end maiden winner in one start at Belmont this past fall, is training with a purpose for return. Stone Creator owns a win and two seconds from three starts; obvious threat. I'm Fine was second in last and owns faster back numbers; very interesting.
THIRD: Reggae Music Man exits a pair of wire-to-wire scores; gets hat trick. Bank On Shea was overmatched in Carter Handicap last time; dangerous at this level. Ny Traffic is 2-for-2 at Belmont Park; potential underlay.
FOURTH: See Me Now switches to sod after non-stressful fourth in debut; forward move predicted. Shamalamadingdong is training sharply and owns fast turf numbers; big-time player. Queen of Lies moves to grass for potent turf stable; must be factored into the mix.
FIFTH: Romantic Man logged four tight works for first start in 10 weeks; throw deep in weak field. We Ready could be in the garden spot if pace meltdown ensues. Mister J T regressed in last after fast-figured placing in prior; rebound potential.
SIXTH: Appreciate is 1-for-50 but tallied lone score on Belmont grass; weakness of field is selection's strength. Freedomofthepress makes fast return after wide trip versus tougher less than two weeks ago; very playable. Half Birthday benefited from soft fractions when a front-running maiden winner last out; vulnerable at short ticket?
SEVENTH: Winning Drive owns sit-and-pounce style that could be well served in field with ample speed; pace makes the race. Quality Stones is quick from gate and could prove very tough if able to shake clear from other front-runners. Alcools is fresh and has a versatile running style; must be factored into the mix.
EIGHTH: Love and Love tallied rapid final fraction when winning entry-level allowance last time; takes next condition. Royal Meghan makes peak start of form cycle after displaying improved speed in last; very dangerous. Betsy Blue took backward step in last after winning two straight; bounce-back threat.
NINTH: Perfect Banker returns from four-month layoff for suddenly live stable; breakthrough predicted. Six Thirty Three S, a useful third in debut, is from a dam that has produced two turf winners; worth long look. Box of Joe switches surfaces and returns to maiden-claiming ranks; wake-up possibility. Raw Courage sheds the shades for barn that's profitable when taking blinkers off; very interesting.
