Steve Matthews' Belmont selections for Thursday, April 28

April 24, 2022

Best bet: FITZPATRICK (7)

Best value: EAU CLAIRE (1)

FIRST: Eau Claire is training with a purpose for first start in 16 months; potent layoff barn. Saratoga Chrome owns fast final figures; logical, short-priced player. Our Jessica was a clear-cut second in last; must consider.

SECOND: Stencil regressed in last after dominant win in prior; rebounds. Red Pepper Grill is riding a two-race winning streak; could easily take another. Bella Principessa is fresh and logs swift numbers on best efforts.

THIRD: No Salt was a top-figured winner in last and owns faster back numbers; pairs up. Therisastormbrewin is speedy and gets appropriate cutback in distance; dangerous. Daddy Knows fired crisp half-mile drill since last start; must consider.

FOURTH: Boom Boom Kaboom broke maiden by more than seven lengths last out; transfers form to sod. Kid Bourbon would be aided by pace meltdown; worth long look. Midaswellrun bounced last time after fast-figured score in prior; don't ignore.

FIFTH: Safalow's Mission has a running style that should be well served by move to grass. Scherzando is riding a forward line on the numbers; price will be tempting. Yarrow owns a second and three thirds from four starts; hard to toss.

SIXTH: Majestic Spirit was a determined maiden winner in last; more to come. Handle the Truth could be in the garden spot if pace meltdown ensues. Love That Face is training consistently for first start since last fall; more than good enough on "A" game.

SEVENTH: Fitzpatrick has trained with a purpose since last-to-first win on March 5; keeps on giving. Competitive Saint owns swift figures and fired crisp half-mile drill since last start; big-time threat. Prince James gets class relief and could easily take this on top efforts.

EIGHTH: Supreme Aura was compromised by wide trip in last; call based on price potential. Baby I'm Perfect bested top pick by more than four lengths when winning on March 26; very playable. Doubly Blessed won overnight stakes by two lengths last out; right in the thick of this.

NINTH: Dini's Destiny was a tough-trip fourth in well-bet debut; throw deep in wide-open nightcap. Celine the Queen is fleet-footed and could prove very tough on a soft lead. White Hot was third at 65-1 in last outing; price will be tempting. Shesadancingqueen is from a dam that has produced six turf winners; very interesting.