Steve Matthews' Belmont at the Big A selections for Sunday, Oct. 19
Best bet: HELLO BEAUTY (4)
Best value: POCA MUCHA (3)
FIRST: Into Inspiration fired 5-furlong bullet for first start in seven weeks. Sergeant Capps owns five seconds from 17 starts; another placing? Free Spin drops and returns to dirt; must consider.
SECOND: My Man Matty projects as the speed of the speed with heads-up handling. Ride Up should be aided by cutback to 6 furlongs. Dads Good Runner makes first start since claimed; dangerous.
THIRD: Poca Mucha tallied fast late-pace figure in last start; more to come. Pookie gets favorable cutback in distance; dangerous. Forward Deployed worked four times since last outing; classic Chad Brown.
FOURTH: Hello Beauty exits hard-charging maiden score in last; pairs up. Inamorata tallied fast late-pace figures in last two starts; worth long look. Tongue Twister exits game placing in most recent; must be factored into the mix.
FIFTH: Fitzpatrick owns a stalker's style that should play well in likely pace dynamic. Graywing is fresh and tractable; very playable. Amundson drops and owns fast numbers; probable underlay.
SIXTH: Cairo Caper should pack intensified late wallop with cutback to sprint. Out On Bail was done in by fast fractions in last at Kentucky Downs; big-time player. No Evidence has hit the board in all six starts; be no surprise.
SEVENTH: Tax Implications logs fast final fractions and fits Chad Brown's signature pattern. Sparkle Blue is rested and right in the thick of this on "A" efforts. Mrs. Gambolini exits sprints and should be forwardly positioned; don't ignore.
EIGHTH: Empire Sky is riding a two-race winning streak and pulls weight from the field; keeps on giving. Roofer is speedy and could prove very tough on a soft lead. Man in Finance owns a win and a second from three starts; must respect.
NINTH: Toupie was a clear-cut winner in last at Laurel; ready for prime time. Danse Macabre is rested, gets class relief and owns fast numbers; dangerous. Dontlookbackatall went backward in last after game placing in prior; rebound threat. Lifelovenlaughter logged three wins and a second from last four starts; right in the thick of this.
