Steve Matthews' Belmont at the Big A selections for Sunday, June 29
Best bet: MIZTERTONIC (9)
Best value: FUNNY JOKE (7)
FIRST: Bryant and Cooper fits Chad Brown's signature pattern; ready. Leonora's Secret has the rail and should be favorably positioned near the front. Just One More compiled tight work tab for first start since January; don't ignore.
SECOND: Nacho Problem is the only member of this field that has raced; experience is key. Neshika is from a dam that has produced four turf winners; charting a must. Rudy Up owns grass bloodlines on both sides of pedigree; must be factored into the mix.
THIRD: Hop Sing tallied solid final fraction when a determined maiden winner last time; more to come. Chileno is fresh and owns fast figures; be no surprise. Tuscan Gold also owns swift figures but has been on the bench for more than a year; mixed message.
FOURTH: Mursal drops two levels and makes second start since layoff after speed and fade in last; tighter today. Whistler's Style gets confident price boost and logs fast late-pace figures on best efforts. Majestic Creed is fleet-footed and could prove very tough on a soft lead.
FIFTH: Reteko could be sitting on breakthrough in third start of form cycle. Hedge the Risk makes first grass outing for Chad Brown; very playable. Papa Golf has delivered solid efforts in all four turf starts; must consider.
SIXTH: Valentine Gift moves into NY-bred field after improved third in last; more to give. Catchphrase is speedy and could play out as the swiftest of the swift. Amy's Light should move forward with return to dirt; price will be tempting.
SEVENTH: Funny Joke jumps in price after clear-cut placing in last; keeps on giving. Tetsu takes two-level class boost in first start since claimed; very interesting. Amundson owns five wins, two seconds and a third from last eight starts; right in the thick of this.
EIGHTH: Sunday Girl, 6-for-8 lifetime, fired crisp half-mile for first turf start; rates close call. Loon Cry packs potent late kick and will be in the garden spot if top selection hits the wall. Silver Skillet, an uncoupled barn mate of Loon Cry, should pack enhanced wallop with cutback to 6 furlongs.
NINTH: Miztertonic notched sharp final fraction when winning last; pairs up. Stormy Birthday, a front-running maiden winner in last; could play out as the dominant speed once again; worth long look. American Grant could impact at juicy ticket if pace meltdown ensues. El de Larry, from a solid Maryland-based barn, has won three of last five at Laurel; don't ignore.
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