Steve Matthews' Belmont at The Big A selections for Sunday, Sept. 25
Best Bet: NICE 'N SPICY (1); Best Value: JET SET JULIET (4)
FIRST: Nice 'n Spicy drops after improved fourth in last; more to come. Joey the Fish has worked three times since fourth in key-race debut; very interesting. Slow Dial makes first start for Todd Pletcher; must consider.
SECOND: Secret Rules was rested after top-figured score on May 28; tight work tab for return is the clincher. Lastchanceatglory, a hot property at claim box, holds razor-sharp current condition; dangerous. Trophy Chaser could be in the garden if pace meltdown ensues.
THIRD: War Canoe is a three-time winner on Big A sod; rates close call. Choose Happiness makes third start of form cycle; intriguing. Howdyoumakeurmoney displayed out-of-the-blue speed in last; worth long look.
FOURTH: Jet Set Juliet logged solid final fraction when breaking maiden in last; pairs up. Leelo, another fast-figured, last-race winner, owns previous score at Aqueduct. Khali Magic will be aided by cutback to 6 furlongs; don't overlook.
FIFTH: Ouster owns turf breeding on both sides of pedigree; call based on price potential. Heymackit'sjack regressed in last after pairing up fast-figured placings; very dangerous. Kreesa was a fast-closing second in only start; logical contender.
SIXTH: Scramble was a tough-trip third in debut; needs to escape AE list. American Hustle is fresh and training consistently. Baie Lounge bested a next-out winner when a game second in last; very playable. Triple Start was second by a country mile in dirt debut; bred to handle moves to grass.
SEVENTH: Khafre should pack amplified wallop with turnback to a mile. Cash in a Flash is fleet-footed and could prove very tough on a soft lead. Millean ships in from Maryland after winning two straight at Laurel; price will be tempting.
EIGHTH: Train to Artemus was a front-running winner in last and projects as the main speed once again. Crowding Out, an uncoupled barn mate of top selection. could be ideally placed in the stalker's seat. Mispelled Moon is speedy and could make life miserable for those wagering on top selection; what a game.
NINTH: Sterling Silver is riding a healthy line on late-pace and final numbers; upset call. Kimari was freshened for two months after top-figured score on July 27; obvious sort. Lady Rocket is fleet-footed and fires strong efforts with machine-like consistentcy; right in the thick of this.
TENTH: Myriskyaffair should find marathon trip right in her wheelhouse. Blue Times is the speed and could prove very tough if allowed pedestrian splits. Transient could impact if pace meltdown ensues. Elle Est Forte and Lisheen are two more contenders that would be aided by swift fractions.
