Steve Matthews' Belmont at the Big A selections for Saturday, May 24
Best Bet: SANTAGATA (1)
Best Value: SUPER SWIFT (10)
FIRST: Santagata gets price boost after five-length win in last; more to come. Harlan's Bond regressed in last after sharp third in prior; rebound threat. Dolce Sara would be aided by pace meltdown.
SECOND: Brave Bear drops and returns to dirt; improvement expected. Dialbolico was a clear-cut maiden winner in last; dangerous. Western Wolf could play out as the main speed; must consider.
THIRD: Battleoflexington overcame soft fractions to win last at Hawthorne; pairs up. Palace Boss, another last-race winner, tallied improved final fraction; very playable. I'm Solo N in Love should move forward with return to dirt.
FOURTH: Bossy Jeans was a front-running winner on Big A sod last July 4; primed and ready. From Hello is rested, training consistently and packs potent late kick on "A" efforts; dangerous. Higher Force moves to grass for strong dirt-to-turf barn; don't ignore.
FIFTH: He'smyhoneybadger jumps in price for new barn after four-length score last out; keeps on giving. Burninhunkoflove consistently fires big efforts; be no surprise. Gun It wheels back in a hurry after sharp third this past Sunday; worth long look.
SIXTH: Scottish Storm took backward step in last after game placing in prior; rebounds. Timing Difference is a rested and forwardly working runner for Chad Brown; need more? Gypsy Dreaming owns speed and drops; must consider.
SEVENTH: Linarite was a non-stressful fourth in first start since six-month absence; forward move expected. I'm Kidding, a wire-to-wire winner in last, looms the main speed once again in turf debut. Lil' Regard won only start and must be given long look if able to escape AE list.
EIGHTH: Freedom Trail, a two-time winner on Aqueduct grass, compiled strong work tab for return. War Officer ships in from south Florida after winning two in a row at Gulfstream; very dangerous. Hilliard packs potent late wallop on best races.
NINTH: Aint No Joke has won last two starts by a combined 16 ½ lengths; takes another. Uncaptured Star, another that has won last two, owns positional speed; big-time player. Iron Man Ira also is fleet-footed and won last; right in the thick of this.
10TH: Super Swift could be ideally positioned in the stalker's seat in field with ample speed. Supersonic Blue is quick from gate and ships in from SoCal for Neil Drysdale; will probably attract too much cash. Clock Tower also is fleet-footed and will be aided by cutback to sprint.
11TH: Loveumissumeanit drops after tough trip in last; needs scratches to get in. Addagirl Addie makes first start since switching barns; very playable. Mischievous Trick gets Lasix for 3-year-old debut; tight work tab adds to appeal. Fire Agate debuts for capable first-out stable; follow the money.
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