Steve Matthews' Belmont at the Big A selections for Sunday, May 4
Best bet: QUINT'S BREW (9)
Best value: WHITTINGTON PARK (5)
FIRST: Don Luis ships in from Finger Lakes and gets Lasix; improvement predicted. Tiote logged fast figures in both starts; likely underlay. Terminal Velocity owns win-early bloodlines; follow the money.
SECOND: Film Star owns speed and drops; small price in small field. Bendoog packs potent late kick but has finished second in last four starts; runner-up again? General Banker is right in the thick of this on "A" efforts.
THIRD: On Command was a pace-pressing winner in last; main speed on turf. Dontlookbackatall will be in the garden spot if top selection hits the wall. Love Appeals owns two wins, a second and a third from four starts on Aqueduct grass; big-time player.
FOURTH: Grand Commander could capitalize on clear lead in turf debut. Uncatalyzed failed to get the job done when even money in debut at Tampa; underlay once again. Reteko has been gelded since last start; don't ignore.
FIFTH: Whittington Park owns fast late-pace figures and gets confident price boost in first start since claimed. Drake's Passage is rested, training swiftly and logs rapid numbers on best efforts; worth long look. General Partner owns speed, fast figures and hails from Chad Brown barn; will simply attract too much cash.
SIXTH: Linzer is fleet-footed and could play out as the swiftest of the swift. Works for Me will be in the catbird seat if top selection hits the wall. Seaver can be effective from on or off the pace; must consider.
SEVENTH: Leslie's Rose, 1-for-1 at the Big A, compiled sharp work tab for first start since last summer. R Disaster is speedy and fired half-mile bullet since last start; dangerous. Almostgone Rocket failed the chalk players when second at 60 cents on the dollar last out; your move. Haulin Ice bested Almostgone Rocket by five lengths when winning second in a row on March 29; right in the thick of this.
EIGHTH: No Mo Candy, 2-for-2 on Big A sod, is fleet-footed and working with a purpose; rates close call. Spaliday also is 2-for-2 on Aqueduct grass and would be aided by hot fractions; could easily take this. Mohawk Trail fired 5-furlong bullet since winning second in a row last time; must be factored into the mix.
NINTH: Quint's Brew could get the early jump in ultracompetitive Westchester Stakes. Bishops Bay is more than good enough on "A" efforts. Worcester packs potent late wallop on best races; very interesting.
10TH: Merica's Back was done in by poor start in last; outside post seals the deal. Iron Max gets Lasix and sheds the blinkers for new barn; big effort expected. Train the Trainer was a fast-figured second in debut at Santa Anita; serious player. Twohonestmischief owns four thirds from nine starts; must use in exotics.
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