Steve Matthews' Belmont at the Big A selections for Friday, May 9
Best bet: TRULLI MAGIC (9)
Best value: LADY ARWEN (5)
FIRST: Shirl's Delight is 0-for-14 but may have finally landed in the right field. Mila Candy should be aided by cutback to 6 furlongs. Sporting Lady is firing bullets for first start since last summer; dangerous.
SECOND: It Takes Heart could play out as the main speed with aggressive handling. Floge drops and makes first start for Brad Cox; dangerous. Halo City could impact if pace meltdown ensues.
THIRD: Very Satisfactory has finished second four straight times; gets job done today? John the Baptist makes first dirt start; must consider. Prairie Meadows would be aided by fast fractions.
FOURTH: Rare Art makes peak start of form cycle; forward move predicted. Capturing logged solid efforts in both starts; worth long look. Obeissante made sustained rally to break maiden on Gulfstream Park grass last time; must be factored into the mix.
FIFTH: Lady Arwen bounced last time after two fast-figured efforts; rebounds. Despo's Dream also took backward step in last after winning prior; very playable. Foxy Cara is riding a forward line on the numbers; dangerous.
SIXTH: I'mhavingamoment is rested and training sharply; set for big effort. La Salvadorena could be ideally positioned behind the speed. All Class makes turf debut with fast dirt numbers; don't ignore.
SEVENTH: Certified Loverboy, a front-end winner in last, projects as the controlling speed once again. Chileno tallies swift late-pace numbers with machinelike consistency; dangerous. Masqueparade logs fast final figures on "A" efforts.
EIGHTH: Highest Distinction is fresh, gets class relief and has benefit of rail on tight-turned course. Summer in Adriane swept past 11 rivals to win last at Keeneland; could easily take another. Malarchuk makes turf debut for Chad Brown; obvious threat.
NINTH: Trulli Magic has running style that should play well on grass and is from a dam that has produced a turf winner. Wild Mischief tallied solid numbers in both grass starts; very playable. Silsbee, an uncoupled barn mate of top selection, is training with a purpose and gets Lasix; big-time player. Long Legged Queen could play out as the main speed with heads-up handling.
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