Steve Matthews’ Belmont selections for Friday, Sept. 8
Best bet: MONTE MAN (6)
Best value: SOMETHINGELSE (3)
FIRST: Daddyisdooley projects as the main speed in first start since claimed by Robertino Diodoro. Conquest Lucknlove is fresh and owns fast figures; very dangerous. Foreign Affair drops after regressing in last; rebound potential.
SECOND: Iwishirish logged solid internal and final figures when breaking maiden last out; more to come. Forres Lily logged only win on Belmont loam this past spring; very interesting. Talkn Til Midnight drops and returns to dirt for Linda Rice; big-time threat on best.
THIRD: Somethingelse needed last and owns fast late-pace figures on “A” game; call based on price potential. Kinsley Kisses possesses sprinter’s speed and could prove very tough on a soft lead. Penjade has won two in a row for Chad Brown; right in the thick of this.
FOURTH: Calculated Risker was a clear-cut maiden winner in last and now makes first start since claimed by Jeremiah Englehart. Keepingitquiet was eliminated at the start last time and owns fast figures on best efforts. Shamcat logged solid seconds in both starts on Belmont grass; must consider. River Knight’s speed gives him a puncher’s chance.
FIFTH: Velvet Trinni is speedy, rested and training swiftly; set for best. Missimpazi gets Lasix after strong placing in debut; very dangerous. Lady Camille makes debut for potent first-out barn (Nick Esler); stay tuned to the tote.
SIXTH: Monte Man tallied rapid internal and final figures when a much-the-best winner in last; pairs up. Story to Tell owns fast figures and drops for Rudy Rodriguez; likely underlay. Formal Summation was overmatched in last at Timonium but was a winner at Belmont Park on July 7; don’t ignore.
SEVENTH: Buffalo Miss is fleet-footed and could play out as the speed of the speed with aggressive ride. Paz the Bourbon turns back to 6 furlongs and could be in the garden spot if pace meltdown ensues. Startwithsilver is riding forward line on the numbers; dangerous.
EIGHTH: Smiling Causeway owns speed, adds blinkers and could get the early jump from inside slot; call in contentious overnight stakes. Adorable Miss owns stalker’s style and is training with a purpose for first start since the Fourth of July; very dangerous. Riley’s Choice was a 12-length winner in last on Laurel dirt and handles turf as well; right in the thick of this.
NINTH: Great Going is going great in the morning and could be sitting on big effort in first start since January; throw deep in wide-open nightcap. Thaddeus is speedy and could prove very tough to collar if able to secure soft lead. Nicholas and Me makes first start since gelded and first start since claimed by Jeremiah Englehart; worth long look. Harlan’s Vador was a clear-cut second on the Suffolk grass last out; must be factored into the mix.
