Steve Matthews’ Belmont selections for Sunday, Sept. 18

Best bet: RECOLLECTION (6)

Best value: GEAUX METS (9)

FIRST: Match Up owns speed and fast figures but drops in first start since claimed; must take the good with the bad. Stone Crab packs a potent late kick on best efforts. Chubby Master is another that would be aided by swift fractions.

SECOND: Antebellum returns to grass and should be ideally positioned in the stalker’s seat. Hundred Year Storm looms the controlling speed with aggressive ride; very dangerous. Princessofthieves was a solid second in last; right in the thick of this.

THIRD: Kalabaka logged only win after similar layoff and hails from white-hot Rick Violette barn. Pawleys Express notched fast numbers in both starts; could easily take this. Double Dose fired eye-catching half-mile bullet since determined maiden win in last; worth long look.

FOURTH: Geo Niko moves to grass after game placing in last; transfers razor-sharp current condition. Strong is rested and drops for Todd Pletcher; dangerous. Montauk Man also gets class relief and should improve in second start since two-month absence.

FIFTH: John’s Catnip returns to turf after logging swift late-pace figure in last; more to come. Bea Bea makes peak start of form cycle after being compromised by wide trip in last; very interesting. Electrified owns two seconds and a third in three starts; logical, short-priced player.

SIXTH: Recollection set hot splits and hit the wall in the lane in debut; tighter today after three steadily, improving works. In It for the Gold has finished third in both outings; be no surprise. Eloquent Ride makes first start for Chad Brown; any questions?

SEVENTH: Two Times Book, 1-for-1 at Belmont, projects as the swiftest of the swift in speed-laden field. Evolution looms the prime beneficiary if top selection gets dueled into defeat. Jacobson entry: Baby Bear’s Soup owns stalker’s style and mate Los Borrachos owns fast final fractions; potent pairing.

EIGHTH: Just Talkin lived up to tote support when winning debut at GP this past winter; better price of two Chad Brown runners. Mighty Souper delivers strong efforts with machine-like consistency; very dangerous. Quidura gets the meds in stateside debut for Graham Motion; don’t ignore.

NINTH: Geaux Mets needed last and owns swift back figures; call based on price in wide-open nightcap. Blame Jim tallied career-best pace figure in last and should be sitting on forward move today; very playable. Frazil is rested and more than good enough on “A” efforts; dangerous. Street Lord notched two of four wins on Belmont loam; very interesting.

By Steve Matthews

steve.matthews@newsday.com