Steve Matthews' Belmont Stakes Day selections for Saturday, June 3
Best bet: THEN (14)
Best value: PALAZZI (3)
FIRST: Save Us Melania gets confident price boost after winning last. Majestic Return adds blinkers and could play out as the speed of the speed. Will Be Famous consistently fires big efforts.
SECOND: Secured Lender fits Chad Brown's signature pattern. Mainstream was clear-cut second in last. Stars and Strides is from a dam that has produced a stakes winner; follow the money.
THIRD: Palazzi is fresh and logs fast late-pace figures on best efforts. Crystal Quest was compromised by soft splits last time. Catch a Wave packs potent kick on "A" game.
FOURTH: Eliminate could be ideally positioned in final with ample speed. Quick to Accuse is another that would be aided by pace meltdown. Magnolia Midnight could prove very tough if able to clear other front-runners.
FIFTH: Rookie Card could get the early jump with heads-up handling. Re Markably makes first start for Bill Mott barn. Antonio of Venice owns a win on Spa loam; worth long look.
SIXTH: Al Jafara notched swift final fraction when winning stateside debut. Virgin Colada, an uncoupled barn mate (Chad Brown) of top selection, logged only win on Spa sod. Opulent Restraint, the third entrant from Brown stable, displayed improved speed in last.
SEVENTH: Crazy Mason, 1-for-1 at Saratoga, won Grade 2 Carter in last start. Surveillance also captured only outing on Spa dirt; dangerous. Mullikin, another that was victorious in lone start at Saratoga, could easily take this on "A" game.
EIGHTH: Fierceness has yet to taste defeat in three starts at Saratoga. White Abarrio is capable of monstrous efforts on best. Just a Touch has won last two starts by a combined 17 lengths; don't ignore.
NINTH: My Boy Prince could be ideally positioned in the stalker's seat. Think Big also owns sit-and-pounce style in field where pace meltdown appears probable. Coppola might play out as the speed of the speed. Ag Bullet also is fleet-footed and must be factored into the mix.
10TH: Thirteen Colonies tallied rapid final fraction when breaking maiden in last; call based on price. Zulu Kingdom defeated 13 rivals when winning Grade 1 stakes last out; likely underlay. States' Rights would be aided by pace meltdown.
11TH: Colloquial can win from on or off the pace. Chancer McPatrick should pack amplified wallop with cutback to 7 furlongs. Patch Adams was a clear-cut winner in last; worth long look. Macho Music's speed gives him a puncher's chance.
12TH: Far Bridge has won four of last five; more to give. Spirit of St Louis passed nine rivals to win Grade 1 Turf Classic at Churchill downs last time; likely to be overbet. Corruption is a front-end threat on best.
13TH: Hill Road has the benefit of the rail and should find 10 furlongs right in his wheelhouse. Journalism showed his grit when winning Preakness; obviously could take this. Sovereignty was properly rested after winning Derby; be no surprise.
14TH: Then was a tough-trip third in last; three tight works in the interim seal the deal. Ramblin' Wreck packs wicked late wallop; very playable. Landman Friday overcame rough journey to break maiden in last; worth long look. Smooth Breeze drew off to impressive four-length score in last; right in the thick of this.
