Steve Matthews' Belmont selections for Sunday, June 19
Best Bet: SARATOGA FLASH (7); Best Value: PRAIRIE FIRE (6)
FIRST: Karma's Warrior has trained sharply since useful ninth in debut this past April; forward move predicted. Chapel Road moves to the grass for Christophe Clement; very interesting. Media Sensation makes first start with maiden-claiming tag; must consider.
SECOND: Papi On Ice gets additional furlong after late-running second in last; weakness of field is selection's strength. Fazaro drops and returns to dirt; worth long look. Any Minute was less than four lengths behind top selection after stumbling start in last; don't ignore.
THIRD: He's in Charge regressed in last after pairing up fast-figured wins in previous two starts; rebounds. Montauk Daddy wheels back in a hurry after front-running score on June 10; very dangerous. Fitzpatrick makes third start of form cycle after improved placing in last; don't overlook.
FOURTH: Marinara Sauced tallied rapid late-pace figure when a last-to-first winner in debut; more to come. Surprise Boss owns speed and is riding a two-race winning streak; big-time player. Buckortwo failed to deliver best effort on yielding turf last time; firmer footing could be the key.
FIFTH: Princess Pinky, idle since September, compiled tight work tab that culminated with 5-furlong bullet; ready to roll. Noble Enterprise packs potent late kick on best efforts; price will be tempting. Clara Belle could be ideally positioned near the front in field that's light on speed.
SIXTH: Prairie Fire notched solid final fraction when a hard-charging winner in last; takes another. Awesome Indra is speedy and could prove very tough on an unchallenged lead. Bustin Bay delivers strong efforts with machine-like consistency; be no surprise.
SEVENTH: Saratoga Flash logged both wins on Belmont sod; tight, recent work slate seals the deal. Bar Fourteen is fleet-footed and will be hard to reel in on a soft lead. Grape Nuts Warrior fits the classic Chad Brown pattern (fresh runner with solid drills); obvious threat.
EIGHTH: Absentee gets class relief and could get hot fractions to facilitate late run; pace makes the race. Money in the Bank was a determined winner of key race last time; very dangerous. Alcools, another last-race winner, could be ideally positioned in the stalker's seat.
NINTH: Galaxina tallied swift late-pace figure in NY-bred stake on dirt in April; switch to sod suits. Morning Matcha, another that makes first grass start, gets class relief and packs potent late wallop; big-time player. Royal Dancer should be aided by cutback to 7 furlongs; don't ignore.
TENTH: Martinez was compromised by wide trips in last two starts; set for breakthrough in third start of form cycle. Slugo is fresh, owns speed and moves to turf; very interesting. Relate, another that makes first grass outing, drops into maiden claimer; dangerous. Brennan's War nearly stole it on the lead when making first start since December last time; don't ignore.
