Steve Matthews' Belmont at Saratoga selections for Friday, June 6
Best bet: BELLEZZA (12)
Best value: IRISH MAXIMA (6)
FIRST: Munnings Express tallied solid late-pace figure when winning last. Geopolitics could prove very tough on a soft lead. Princess Mischief bounced last time after game placing in prior.
SECOND: Absolute Honor is training sharply for first start since March. Numbered was a tough-trip third when favored in debut. Lost Horizon makes first start for Chad Brown; follow the money.
THIRD: Fore Harp took backward step in last after fast-figured win two back. Antares could be in the garden spot if top selection hits the wall. Works for Me consistently delivers strong efforts; logical contender.
FOURTH: Nolita, second to a repeat winner in last, fired crisp half-mile work on May 25. Short Shift was done in by blazing splits last time; dangerous. Army Girl owns two wins and a second from four starts; must consider.
FIFTH: Seeking Unity was a determined winner versus pricier last time; takes another. Good Skate owns speed and fast back figures. Dreamlike logged only win on Spa loam.
SIXTH: Irish Maxima projects as the speed of the speed with aggressive handling. St. Benedicts Prep could be perched in the stalker's seat. Ways and Means is 3-for-4 at Saratoga and owns fast numbers.
SEVENTH: Storm Miami was a tough-trip fourth in last; forward move predicted. Royalty Rate has trained with a purpose since winning debut at Gulfstream. Next On Stage is a front-running threat on best.
EIGHTH: Spun was a better-than-it-appears fifth in debut; must escape AE list. Kulapat was a useful third in last; price will be tempting. Ski Bum owns speed and adds blinkers; very interesting.
NINTH: Randomized could get the early jump in competitive Ogden Phipps stakes. Raging Sea, an uncoupled barn mate of top selection, will be in the catbird seat if Randomized hits the wall. Leslie's Rose is another that would be aided by pace meltdown.
10TH: La Mehana should be able to handle demanding two-mile trip. Limited Liability is effective from on or off the pace. Grand Sonata packs potent late kick.
11TH: Shred the Gnar is improving with each start; more to come. Good Cheer is 7-for-7 and looms a guaranteed underlay. Look Forward logged two crisp works since winning last start; don't ignore.
12TH: Bellezza tallied swift late-pace figure when winning stateside debut; takes another. Forever After All was a "geared- down" nine-length winner in last; dangerous. She Feels Pretty is riding a three-race winning streak; right in the thick of this.
13TH: Do Gooder logged wire-to-wire wins in last two starts; controlling speed once again. Simply in Front looms the prime beneficiary if top selection wilts in the lane. Sacred Wish is another that would be aided by pace meltdown.
14TH: Poppy's Ticket, a sharp third in debut, fired crisp half-mile drill on May 30. Terminal Velocity gets Lasix after finishing less than two lengths behind top selection in debut; could easily close gap. Counter Move should be aided by cutback to 7 furlongs. Undisputed was second to a repeat winner last time; must be factored into the mix.
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