Steve Matthews' Belmont at the Big A selections for Friday, May 16
Best bet: POOKIE (8)
Best value: FAST AND FRISKY (7)
FIRST: Golden Purchase is 1-for-49 but is favorably posted in compact field. Accidental Bid is a wire-to-wire threat on "A" effort. Macaw regressed in last after clear-cut win two back; rebound threat.
SECOND: The Ginger Wizard was a determined winner in last and loves marathon trips. Rungius owns speed and could capitalize on soft lead. Catch a Wave fits Chad Brown's signature pattern; must respect.
THIRD: Equus makes quick return (15 days) and drops; improvement predicted. Brzina owns positional speed and fast figures; be no surprise. Maggie T took backward step in last after determined win in prior; worth long look.
FOURTH: Patience N Grace was a useful fifth in debut; added quarter mile makes the difference. Eagle Rising was a sharp second in last; dangerous. Material Girl owns two seconds and a third from four starts; another minor award?
FIFTH: Kunshan Bridge consistently logs field's fastest late-pace figures. Brew Pub exits clear-cut placing in last; very playable. Screaming Uncle withstood fast fractions to win last at 46-1; worth long look at long price.
SIXTH: Midnight Concerto is fresh, training with a purpose and loves Big A sod. Mystifying consistently fires strong efforts; logical, short-priced player. Luna Moth could play out as the main speed with aggressive ride.
SEVENTH: Fast and Frisky was flat in last after three sharp efforts in a row; rebounds. Embraceable Gal was a hard-fought winner in most recent; regresses today? Racing Colors could impact if pace meltdown ensues.
EIGHTH: Pookie tallied solid final fraction when breaking maiden on Aqueduct grass last fall; rail on tight-turned course seals the deal. A. P. Kid chased fast fractions when winning on Gulfstream turf last out; speedy and dangerous. Tracking Error moves to turf for Chad Brown; must respect.
NINTH: Dangherecomesshang is speedy, drops and working swiftly; ready. Mun Mun Can Run will be in the garden spot if top selection hits the wall. Silver Pearls should move forward with return to turf. Improbable Friend is from a dam that has produced two grass winners; don't ignore.
