Steve Matthews' Belmont at the Big A selections for Saturday, June 21
Best bet: FOUR TOP (5)
Best value: ARCADIAN (3)
FIRST: Beira gets confident price hike in first start since claimed by Rick Dutrow; tight work tab seals the deal. Warrior's Ransom packs potent late kick on best efforts. Geez Eloise is another that owns strong stretch wallop; don't ignore.
SECOND: Yolo drops and returns to dirt; three works since last start is the clincher. Stirred Up was a clear-cut second versus richer last time; why the price plunge? Kyle's Mom owns a second and a third from two starts; must consider.
THIRD: Arcadian gets favorable cutback and returns to more manageable class level; forward move predicted. Macaw exits clear-cut score in last; dangerous. Aint No Joke owns speed and lands in field that's lacking a pacesetter; very interesting.
FOURTH: Irish Jackson was compromised by wide trip last time; most recent win was at today's distance. Maggie T drops and hails from streaking stable; worth long look. Spiritual Lady could prove very tough on an unchallenged lead.
FIFTH: Four Top compiled eye-catching work tab for first start in eight weeks; primed for big effort. Freedom Trail needed last and logged both career wins on Big A sod. Laurel Valley is fleet-footed and looms a wire-to-wire threat on "A" effort.
SIXTH: I'm Due could be ideally positioned in field with ample speed. Friend Ofthe Devil, one of the front-runners, could prove a tough customer on a soft lead. Soontobeking moves to grass with fast dirt figures; likely underlay.
SEVENTH: Dear Chairman was overmatched last time after fast-figured, front-end score in prior; rebounds. Jaa Mode owns swift final numbers but has been on the bench since last summer; mixed message. Corvus should pack intensified kick with cutback to mile; price will be tempting.
EIGHTH: River Tay is rested and logs fast late-pace figures on best races; price should be on your side. Queen Atlas outworked 116 rivals in half-mile drill on June 7; speedy and dangerous. Silent Melody runs late and would be aided by pace meltdown.
NINTH: Kings and Queens could get the early jump with heads-up handling from the rail. Omaha Pistol logged fast numbers when the beaten favorite in last two starts; short price once again. Runamor makes peak start of form cycle after regressing in last; don't dismiss.
10TH: Running Rio has the potential to play out as the swiftest of the swift with aggressive ride; call in wide-open field. Miss Bourbon could be in the garden spot if top selection hits the wall in the lane. Annascaul is another that would be aided by front-end collapse.
11TH: Candy Is Dandy was a tough-trip eighth in lone grass start; blinkers on and class drop seal the deal. Uncommon makes first start with maiden-claiming tag; very playable. Bourbon Milk Punch and Leslie's Star are two more that get potent class plunge; both are worth considering.
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