Steve Matthews' Belmont at the Big A selections for Friday, June 27
Best bet: TYPHOON FURY (6)
Best value: SANZIO (3)
FIRST: La Mehana logs fast late-pace figures on best and has the benefit of the rail. No Show Sammy Jo owns speed and could prove tough on a soft lead. Dazzlin' Dictator is effective from on or off the pace; must consider.
SECOND: Castle Chaos never got going on sloppy strip in Met Mile; nice alternative to short-priced favorite. Highland Falls, likely to attract the bulk of the cash, owns fast figures but has been sidelined for more than seven months; you make the call. Full Screen would be aided by fast fractions.
THIRD: Sanzio regressed last out after improved placing in prior; rebounds. Roofer is quick from gate and could play out as the main speed. Merica's Back is fresh and owns fast numbers; potential underlay.
FOURTH: Kismeholdmethrlme tallied sharp final fraction when second in last; more to give. Patronage runs late and could easily roll past them all if pace meltdown ensues. Dancinginthepark displayed out-of-the-blue speed in last; very interesting.
FIFTH: Echo in Eternity drops after taking backward step in last; call based on price potential. Rodriguez entry: Brzina and Shesalittle Edgy are both speedy, last-race winners; neither would shock. Miss Lao continues to slide down the claiming ladder; fire sale?
SIXTH: Typhoon Fury is rested and could be ideally positioned in field with ample speed. Java Buzz is bulletlike from gate and tallied most recent score with Flavian Prat aboard. Master Freud was a change-of-pace fourth in last; must be considered.
SEVENTH: Iron Max was a clear-cut second after rough trip last time; price won't get pulse racing, however. Makeyourmoment also exits strong placing; another that will offer short ticket. Ataturk makes first start with maiden-claiming tag; right in the thick of this.
EIGHTH: Sand Devil should pack intensified wallop with cutback to 7 furlongs. Train the Trainer exits two wire-to-wire wins; very dangerous. Pediatrician ships in from Maryland after front-running score at Laurel last out; price will be tempting.
NINTH: Sounds Like Fun gets favorable turnback to sprint; enhanced kick predicted. Volt is from a dam that has produced two turf winners. Make Me drops and moves to grass; wake-up potential. Aerate was done in by pace pressure last time; don't ignore. Battle Drum failed to get the job done at 70 cents on the dollar last time; willing to take short price again?
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