Steve Matthews' Belmont selections for Monday, May 30
Best bet: SILKY BLUE (2)
Best value: UNICORN SALLY (5)
FIRST: Missing Fortune logged fast late-pace figure in debut on dirt this past winter and gets positive surface switch on Monday. Royal Currency has finished second in last two starts; runner-up again? Secret Hideout owns speed and is lightly raced; ample room for improvement.
SECOND: Silky Blue notched all three wins on Belmont sod; tight work tab for return seals the deal. She's the One overcame soft splits to win last; dangerous. Runaway Rumour was compromised by wide trip in most recent; must consider.
THIRD: Thrill of It bested a next-out winner when breaking maiden on March 27; ready for return. Major Spin set swift fractions when a front-running winner in last; dangerous. Full Moon Fever made late runs to nab the show dough in last two starts; more of the same?
FOURTH: Uragano moves to grass after displaying improved speed in last; dam has thrown two turf winners. Bernardino compiled strong training tab for first start since last autumn; very interesting. Mr. Connecticut could be in the garden spot if pace meltdown ensues.
FIFTH: Unicorn Sally is rested and packs potent kick on "A" game; primed for big effort. Out of Sight exits pace-pressing maiden score in last; worth long look. Rheaume defeated second selection by two lengths when a hard-charging winner in debut; right in the thick of this.
SIXTH: Bank Sting, overmatched in Grade 2 Ruffian last time, could be ideally positioned in the stalker's seat on Monday. Maiden Beauty is fleet-footed and could prove very tough on an unchallenged lead. Secret Love fired half-mile bullet since clear-cut score in last; must be factored into the mix.
SEVENTH: November Rein projects as the speed of the speed with heads-up handling from rail. Yo Cuz was done in by stumbling start last time; paltry price is the problem. Liberty Flame owns a win and two seconds in three starts; must consider.
EIGHTH: Who Hoo Thats Me logged two 5-furlong drills since tough-trip second in last; call based on price. Rotknee is speedy and compiled string of 5-furlong bullets for first start since April; could easily take this. Tin Pan Alley, from Chad Brown barn, owns win and a second in two starts; enough said.
NINTH: Therapist tallied scorching final fraction when second in last; rates close call. Somelikeithotbrown is quick from the gate and could easily take this field wire to wire against jockey colony that has no sense of pace. City Man regressed in last after determined win in prior; rebound threat.
10TH: Voleuse was a tough-trip third in debut; needs to escape AE list. Smokin' Hot Kitty was a useful fifth in debut; improvement predicted. Bavarian Creme could play out as the controlling speed in first grass start; dangerous. She's a Natural gets blinkers/Lasix makeover and could impact if pace meltdown ensues. Ard Macha debuts for barn that clicks at 21% with newcomers; stay tuned to the tote.
