Steve Matthews’ Belmont selections for Friday, June 17
________________________________________
Best Bet: ANIMAL POSSE (7)
Best Value: MEMORIES OF PETER (5)
FIRST: Wyeth has trained consistently since non-threatening eighth in debut; improvement predicted. Ninety One Assault fired half-mile bullet since last start; very dangerous. Caribbean has been gelded since last outing; must consider.
SECOND: White Missile concluded work tab with crisp 5-furlong breeze; follow the money. Giant Rocks was second to a much-the-best winner last time. Lucky Lou Pal should improve with race under belt. Flagofpomeroy hails from profitable second-out stable; very interesting.
THIRD: Silver Silence drops and makes peak start of form cycle; 3-furlong bullet on June 11 seals the deal. Pink for Me was a clear-cut second at Parx last out; dangerous. Lotsa Noodles was a tough-trip fifth in last; price will be tempting.
FOURTH: Shakesperian Dream notched half-mile bullet since victimized by wide trip in last; breakthrough predicted. Awesome Quick is fresh and owns two wins, a second and a third in four starts on Belmont sod; very dangerous. Comet Sixty Two owns fast figs and compiled tight work tab for Chad Brown barn; could easily take this.
FIFTH: Memories of Peter was short in the stretch when returning from six-month layoff last time; sharp half-mile breeze last week is the clincher. Front gets class relief, makes third start of form cycle and owns fast final figs on “A” game; big-time player. Uncle Sigh has finished second in last two starts; right in the thick of this. All Is Number packs potent late kick on best efforts.
SIXTH: Daves Gone Bananas was an even fourth when running for purse money only last time; forward move expected. Royal Ekati has trained strongly since failing to deliver on heavy tote support in debut last month; improvement predicted. Saratoga Charlie has finished second in last two starts; dangerous.
SEVENTH: Animal Posse was a front-running winner in debut and could play out as the controlling speed once again. Chasintheblues also is fleet-footed and was game second in last after six-month layoff; dangerous. Papa Freud is 1-for-40 but was game third in last at 76-1; don’t ignore. Grand Sky is training swiftly and could be in the garden spot if pace meltdown ensues.
EIGHTH: Toledo Eddie had won five straight on dirt before faltering on turf last time; return to main track is key. Unbridled Juan was a dominant winner in last and has trained impressively in the interim; could easily take another. Dontbetwithbruno is more than good enough on best efforts; must consider.
NINTH: Excluded owns speed and moves to turf and could play out as the controlling front-runner in big field. Risky Sour was a clear-cut second in last; very playable. J J’s the Boss has started only two times and has ample room for improvement. Croke Park makes turf debut for Mike Maker barn; must be factored into the mix.
