Steve Matthews' Belmont at the Big A selections for Sunday, Oct. 26
Best bet: HANGOVER HEAVEN (8)
Best value: NONNO JOE (9)
FIRST: Smart Sugar, the only member of this six-horse field to have raced, compiled tight work tab for move to dirt. Perfect Twirl debuts for capable first-out connections (John Kimmel); very interesting. Imperatrice was bought for $500K as a yearling; follow the money.
SECOND: Top Gun Girl switches to grass after top-figured win on dirt last out; sidesteps the bounce. Loon Cry could be in the garden spot if pace meltdown ensues. Blind Spot makes first start since moving to Chris Englehart barn; don't ignore.
THIRD: Dark Assault exits game placing in last; crisp half-mile work in the interim seals the deal. Schoolyardsuperman took heavy tote support but clipped heels and fell in debut; must respect. Epic Summer is from a dam that has produced two winners from two starters; stay tuned to the tote.
FOURTH: Valentine Gift is riding a forward line on the numbers. Belle Cherie jumps to next condition after determined win in last; dangerous. Mommasgottagun and Maxaluna are uncoupled entrants from the white-hot Linda Rice barn; both must be factored into the mix.
FIFTH: Mendee fired half-mile bullet since solid third in key race at Kentucky Downs last out; more to give. My Sherrona could prove very tough on soft lead. Channel Check should be aided by cutback to shorter trip; price will be tempting.
SIXTH: Sweet Little Lila returns to maiden ranks after willing third in Laurel stakes last out. Candy Moonshine is speedy and could play out as the dominant front-runner. Alibi was less than two lengths behind top selection on Sept. 11 and has benefit of rail today; big-time player.
SEVENTH: Yougottahavehope projects as the speed of the speed with heads-up handling. Intentious makes peak start of form cycle after game placing in last; dangeroud. Nina Kay is fresh, training with a purpose and hails from Rice barn; very playable.
EIGHTH: Hangover Heaven overcame slow pace when a hard-charging winner in last; pairs up. Gratefully moves to grass after front-end scores in both main track starts; worth long look. Beautiful Crazy is rested and could be ideally positioned in the stalker's seat.
NINTH: Nonno Joe, idle for more than a year, returns as a gelding and fired two 5-furlong bullets to conclude work tab; ready. Pretrial Statement was freshened after much-improved third in last; dangerous. Deemer regressed in last after sharp second in prior; bounce-back threat. Blue Pill can land in the exotics at fat price if pace meltdown ensues.
