Steve Matthews' Belmont selections for Thursday, June 23
Best bet: CHESS'S DREAM (4)
Best value: BIG PACKAGE (8)
FIRST: Crawford County moves to grass after improved third in last; more to give. Cagney displayed newfound speed in last; dangerous. Rush to Honor was second when favored in last; logical, short-priced threat.
SECOND: The Honorable Ruth was a change-of-pace third in last; call based on price. Rough Tough Love was a fast-figured, front-end winner in last; could easily take another. Gris Tormenta defeated top selection by three lengths when winning the seventh race on June 5; right in the thick of this.
THIRD: Tekila was an even third in first start since seven-month absence last time; forward move predicted. Cupids Girl could be in the garden spot if fractions get fast and furious. Regina drops into the maiden-claiming ranks; must consider.
FOURTH: Chess's Dream owns potent late kick and is training strongly; class drop seals the deal. Sidd Finch, another that gets class relief, logged both wins on Belmont turf; worth long look. Landbiscuit is more than good enough on "A" efforts.
FIFTH: Out of Sight is riding a two-race winning streak; keeps on giving. Cara's Dreamer regressed in last after game placing in prior; rebound potential. A Bit o'Irish Sass could play out as the main speed in first grass start; very interesting.
SIXTH: Jemography drops and owns fast back numbers; return on one week's rest is the clincher. Brilliant Brooks has worked three times since fast-figured win in last; big-time danger. Mad Munnys is speedy but has been on the bench for more than a year; must take the good with the bad.
SEVENTH: Goodnight Olive fits the quintessential Chad Brown profile; paltry price is the problem. Honey Money upped record to 3-for-6 at Belmont when a decisive winner on May 22; intriguing. Customerexperience could be ideally positioned in the stalker's seat.
EIGHTH: Big Package should pack enhanced wallop with turnback to 6 furlongs. King of Dreams is fleet-footed and meets weaker foes than he has faced recently; very interesting. Principled Stand is 2-for-2 at Belmont Park and hails from Chad Brown barn; underlay written all over him.
NINTH: Suit of Armor made menacing middle move at quarter pole and weakened last time; price drop makes the difference. Raw Courage owns speed and returns to dirt; very tempting. Limit Up also is fleet-footed but has consistently lost ground in the lane; mixed message. Shadow Box debuts after concluding work tab with two bullet drills; tote should tell the tale.
