Steve Matthews' Belmont selections for Friday, July 1
Best bet: LOADED JOE (9)
Best value: CATCH THAT PARTY (4)
FIRST: Ice Kreem Sundae compiled tight training tab for first start since April; ready to roll. U Cant Handle This owns speed and drops; dangerous. Roz was seven lengths clear of third runner when second in last; must consider.
SECOND: Charge Account is fleet-footed and could capitalize on soft lead with heads-up handling. War Canoe makes third start since five-month layoff; worth long look. Choose Happiness could impact if pace meltdown ensues.
THIRD: Zuzudini tallied swift late-pace figure in lone start at Belmont; return to maiden-claiming ranks seals the deal. North Pole owns speed and starts from the fence; very interesting. No Code was a clear-cut second in last; logical, short-priced threat.
FOURTH: Catch That Party has trained consistently since dominant score on Gulfstream turf in March; owns a win and two seconds in three starts on Belmont grass. Nicholas James is quick from the gate and could play out as the controlling front-runner on an unchallenged lead. Practice Squad has finished second in last three starts; another minor award?
FIFTH: Alcazaba, a late-running fifth in debut, is bred to handle switch to sod. Dr Oseran debuts for potent first-out stable; could be the goods. Son of a Birch (strong grass bloodlines) and Funtastic Again (sharp works for Wes Ward barn) are two more newcomers that could easily have a say in the outcome.
SIXTH: Hoodooland bested a next-out winner by more than five lengths when second as the favorite in debut; swift work tab is the clincher. Empire Hope is training strongly at Monmouth for debut for Chad Brown; need more? Emmylou, another Chad Brown newcomer, has been working in company with barn mate; must make these a coupled betting entry.
SEVENTH: Unikee regressed in last after reeling off three strong efforts to start career; gets his game back on Friday. Saint Selby wheels back in a hurry after fast-figured, front-running score just two weeks ago; very dangerous. Capone, a last-race maiden winner, owns favorable stalker's style; worth long look.
EIGHTH: Tiberius Mercurius projects as the main speed at distance where plodding paces are routine occurrences; come and get him. Kinenos could be the prime beneficiary if top selection spits the bit in the lane. Kuramata is another stretch runner that would be aided by swift fractions.
NINTH: Loaded Joe is speedy, fresh and gets top-notch front-end rider at the helm; wire to wire. Steelersfanforlife makes peak start of form cycle after hard-charging third in last; big-time player. Charger owns ideal sit-and-pounce style; very interesting. Fast N Fearious is fast early and could make life miserable for those who wager on top selection.
