Steve Matthews' Belmont selections for Thursday, June 30
Best bet: PRICE DISCIPLINE (7)
Best value: DEVIL'S CODE (6)
FIRST: Love Tank was a useful fifth in debut; improvement predicted for potent second-out stable. Cowichan could prove very tough on an unchallenged lead. Fourway Stop bested top selection by a nose when third on June 5; right in the thick of this.
SECOND: Forestwood Lane was freshened for two months after winning two in a row in April; ready for more. Quintarelli drops and makes third start of form cycle; very interesting. Irish Giant also makes peak outing since layoff and owns fast back numbers.
THIRD: Radiant Gem overcame slow splits when a determined maiden winner in last; pairs up. Solib owns speed and gets class relief; worth long look. Strong Embrace is more than good enough on best efforts but will likely be undervalued; keep eye on the tote.
FOURTH: Peruvian Boy makes first start since claimed by Linda Rice; forward move expected. Crypto Cash logged two wins and four seconds from last seven starts; money in the bank? Grumps Little Tots packs potent kick on "A" efforts; don't ignore.
FIFTH: Compromiser, from a dam that has produced two grass winners, moves to turf after better-than-it-looks sixth in debut; call based on price. Conquist fired swift half-mile breeze since last start; intriguing. Kingdom On Paws made sustained rally when 80-1 in last; puncher's chance and beefy odds.
SIXTH: Devil's Code notched swift numbers in two starts on Belmont loam last spring; logged lone win after similar layoff in winter of '21. Nature Boy, a front-end maiden winner in last, could steal another on unchallenged lead. Forty Comets could be ideally positioned in the stalker's seat; right in the thick of this.
SEVENTH: Price Discipline visually and numerically impressed when winning debut by more than four lengths; takes another. Montebello outworked 35 rivals in half-mile bullet last Friday; front-running threat. Son of an Ex should move forward with return to main track.
EIGHTH: Hilliard, a clear-cut winner in last, should find 11-furlong trip right in his wheelhouse; keeps on giving. Q F Seventy Five is speedy and could prove very tough on unchallenged lead. Hard Rye Guy would be aided by pace meltdown.
NINTH: Miss Sugar Hill owns field's fastest late-pace figures. Diamant Damhsa is speedy, rested and hails from Brad Cox barn; dangerous. Mostly Harmless makes first turf start with maiden-claiming tag; worth long look. Diamond Status logged four tight works since improved fourth in last start; must be factored into the mix.
