Steve Matthews' Belmont at the Big A selections for Thursday, May 8

By Steve Matthewssteve.matthews@newsday.comMay 4, 2025

Best bet: HUSH OF A STORM (7)

Best value: COUSIN ED (8)

FIRST: Aerate tallied solid late-pace figure when a willing fourth in last; more to give. Henry's Hope could prove tough on a soft lead. Lean Music Machine bested top selection by nearly four lengths when second at odds-on last out; be no surprise.

SECOND: Gametime Gladiator owns field's fastest final fractions on "A" efforts; bullet-riddled work tab for return seals the deal. King Phoenix, another that's training sharply, bounced in last after front-end score in prior; dangerous. Unbroken Chain could play out as the speed of the speed; worth long look.

THIRD: Graywing took backward step in last after winning three of previous four; 5-furlong bullet on April 24 is the clincher. Bramito drops and packs potent kick on best; dangerous. Dot's Dollar holds razor-sharp current condition; right in the thick of this.

FOURTH: Have You Heard is training swiftly for first start since January; most recent win came after similar layoff. Narciso Dali worked twice since subpar effort in the mud last out; return to dry land helps. Arcadian gets much-needed class relief; worth long look.

FIFTH: Observer was a willing second in last; weakness of field helps. Dynamitendiamonds is fresh and owns speed; price will be tempting. Sunset Park makes peak start of form cycle; must consider.

SIXTH: Octane, on the bench since last October, concluded work tab with 5-furlong bullet; ready. Nelson Avenue is fleet-footed and gets favorable cutback to 7 furlongs; very playable. Twenty Four Mamba gets confident price boost in first start since claimed; big-time player.

SEVENTH: Hush of a Storm logged most recent win on Big A grass last September; crisp half-mile drill on May 2 is the clincher. Big Everest, a five-time winner on Aqueduct sod, is fleet-footed and could prove very tough on a soft lead. Donegal Momentum won his only start on Big A turf; right in the thick of this.

EIGHTH: Cousin Ed is rested and returns to NY-bred ranks; strong second-after-claim stable. Army Proud drops and gets blinkers and Lasix; dangerous. Pandemic Hero is speedy and makes third start since layoff; worth long look. Orie makes first start with maiden-claiming tag; don't dismiss.