Steve Matthews' Belmont at the Big A selections for Saturday, Oct. 18
Best bet: BRAMITO (9)
Best value: BRZINA (1)
FIRST: Brzina is speedy, rested and fired 5-furlong bullet on Oct. 6. Grammy Girl looms the prime beneficiary if top selection hits the wall. The Big Calhouna made sustained rally to win last; don't overlook.
SECOND: Goodasiwonswas is training swiftly for first start since August; ready. Barksdale could play out as the speed of the speed. Acoustic Ave consistently delivers strong efforts; must consider.
THIRD: Love Me Not was a front-end winner in last and could get early jump once again. Double Your Money could be in the garden spot if top selection comes up blank. Curlin's Malibu is another that would be aided by pace meltdown.
FOURTH: Jackie the Joker returns to dirt and projects as the main speed. Pens Street regressed in last after five-length win in prior; rebound threat. Lika Rolling Stone was third in last two starts; more show dough?
FIFTH: Tour Jete tallied solid late-pace figure when a tough-trip fifth in last. Seat At the Table is fresh and owns positional speed; dangerous. Fantasy Performer took backward step in last after game placing two back; don't ignore.
SIXTH: Sagamore Mischief could play out as the swiftest of the swift with Kendrick Carmouche aboard. Fielding makes first start since claimed by David Jacobson; worth long look. Master of Arms, a determined winner in last, owns faster back numbers; dangerous.
SEVENTH: Winfinity logged fast final fractions in last two efforts on Colonial Downs turf; ready for prime time. Ready for Candy is riding a two-race winning streak; very playable. Boca Queen is training with a purpose for high-percentage Canada-based barn; right in the thick of this.
EIGHTH: City of Oscars exits hard-charging score at Woodbine last out; needs scratches to escape AE list. Live High Live Low owns fast figures and gets class relief; dangerous. Cousin Ed could impact if fractions get hot and hectic.
NINTH: Bramito overcame tough trip to win last; takes another. Light the Way is speedy and could prove very tough on a soft lead. Eliminate packs potent late kick on "A" efforts; don't ignore.
10TH: Risk Manager notched four tight works since winning two in a row; more to come. Conman owns speed and drops; price will be tempting. Highestdistinction looms a late-running threat on best races.
11TH: Top Gun Girl, on the AE list, ships in after front-running score at Laurel last out. Sol Hope, sidelined for eight weeks, displays a history of firing big efforts off the bench. Cynane was a rough-trip third in last; very playable. Kerry's speed must be respected.
