Steve Matthews’ Belmont selections for Saturday, Sept. 9
Best bet: MORETHANAWARNING (5)
Best value: SPEIGHGAL (6)
FIRST: Isotope logged improved final fraction when a clear-cut winner last out; more to give. My Golden Rose returns from Maryland after breaking maiden at Laurel last month; dangerous. Nisha is speedy, drops and returns to dirt; must consider.
SECOND: Bourbon Currency moves to grass for capable dirt-to-turf barn. Triangulate should improve in second start for Chad Brown. Tom’s Music wilted on sloppy surface last time; should move forward with return to grass.
THIRD: Cinderela El Crome may find a mile beyond her scope but should enjoy an unchallenged lead; pulling weight from field seals the deal. Harlan Punch was a fast-figured second in last; very dangerous. Portfolio Manager bested “Punch” by nearly a length when winning last; right in the thick of this.
FOURTH: Indimaaj chased hot fractions and hit the wall in debut but could secure unchallenged lead with aggressive ride. Thunder Mesa adds blinkers after showing improved speed in last; price will be tempting. Allured was a solid second in debut; logical, short-priced player.
FIFTH: Morethanawarning owns fast late-pace figures and notched two of three wins on Belmont sod. Fancy Kitten is training with a purpose for first start since moving to Chad Brown barn; very dangerous. Kahrumana, also from Brown stable, could play out as the controlling front-runner.
SIXTH: Speighgal tallied solid final fraction when a much-improved second in last; more to come. Elude displayed improved speed in first start since four-month absence last time; tightened and dangerous. Dream Passage is another that displayed speed after long layoff last time; must be considered.
SEVENTH: Wantagh Queen notched both wins on Belmont grass and should offer generous ticket in big field. Treatherlikestar logged hard-charging third after being knocked back to last at the break in most recent; very playable. High Jingo made sustained rally to break maiden on Spa sod last time; price will be tempting.
EIGHTH: Conquest Windycity displayed improved speed in last and now makes third start of form cycle. Doyouknowsomething fired crisp half-mile work since game placing in last; very interesting. Far From Over was a pole clear for second when finishing behind a 9-length winner in last; must respect.
NINTH: Changewilldoyagood had the wrong setup last time but could secure unchallenged lead in probable pace dynamic of this field. Night Prowler tallied improved late-pace number in last; dangerous. Blacktype packs potent late kick on “A” effort; worth long look.
10TH: Asphalt Paving compiled four tightly grouped workouts for first start in 13 weeks; primed and ready. Real Creel was third behind two next-out winners last time; very playable. Mineralogy is speedy and rested; very interesting. Tu Exageres lost action and was vanned off last time; remembers how to run today?
