Steve Matthews' Belmont selections for Monday, July 4
Best bet: PRECURSORY (8)
Best value: DOROTHY'S THE BOSS (10)
FIRST: Ranting was a useful sixth in debut; forward move predicted for potent second-out stable. Snowy Evening is training with a purpose for first start; follow the money. Kingsley Creek owns turf pedigree on both sides; must consider.
SECOND: Bronx Bomber projects as the main speed with aggressive ride. Prince of Pharoahs was a determined winner in last; dangerous. Big Engine owns fast back figures; don't ignore.
THIRD: Fazaro gets confident price boost after game placing in last; more to come. Inspiration Point was second at 70 cents on the dollar last time; dangerous. Suppressor owns speed and fast figures; right in the thick of this.
FOURTH: O'Trouble is rested and owns fast numbers on "A" efforts. Cousteau logged front-end score the first time he touched Belmont dirt; big-time threat. Great Workout could be the prime beneficiary if pace meltdown ensues.
FIFTH: Love That Face makes third start of form cycle; forward move predicted. Keen Dancer was a last-to-first maiden winner on June 25; very interesting. Trinity Titoli exits game placing in last; logical, short-priced contender.
SIXTH: Bustin Shout compiled tight work tab for first start since clear-cut score on April 21; takes another. Ring of Fire, another last-race winner, makes first start since claimed by Rudy Rodriguez; very playable. Ranger Fox is speedy and could prove very tough on an unchallenged lead.
SEVENTH: Ballydooley, 3-for-6 on Belmont grass, looms the controlling front-runner with proper ride. Casanova Kitten makes local debut after winning two straight in Kentucky; dangerous. Artemus Citylimits owns a win, five seconds and four thirds from last 10 starts; obviously must be considered.
EIGHTH: Precursory notched swift final fraction when a strong third in last; more to come. Quotabelle displayed speed in debut and could be aided by softer flow at longer trip. Demandsrespect is a fresh runner from Chad Brown barn; demands respect.
NINTH: Smokin' T consistently logs field's fastest late-pace figures. Coinage could be ideally positioned in the stalker's seat. Annapolis owns two wins and a second from three starts; hard to ignore.
10TH: Dorothy's the Boss has trained with a purpose since better-than-it-looks fourth in lone turf start; improvement expected. Mo Damorninggrouch drops and sheds the blinkers; worth long look. Hope for the Best debuts for potent first-out stable; follow the money. Laughter makes first start with maiden-claiming tag and gets Lasix; wake-up potential.
