Steve Matthews' Belmont at the Big A selections for Saturday, Oct. 11
Best bet: SKYLANDER (8)
Best value: ITALIAN SOIREE (10)
FIRST: Pride of the Union worked six times since making middle move and fading in debut; tighter today. Royal Riddle, a sharp second in debut, could be in the garden spot if top selections hits the wall. Top Player was just a head behind second selection when a tough-trip third in last; must consider.
SECOND: Great Richie M has trained swiftly after winning two in a row this past summer; keeps on giving. Gatsby Looms Boldly owns speed and fast figures; very dangerous. Loco Abarrio also is fleet-footed and logs swift numbers but drops in first start since claimed; mixed message.
THIRD: Story of Rory set swift splits in turf debut; four works in the interim seal the deal. Chummers also showed speed in first grass start; dangerous. True Legend could be in the garden spot if top pair hook on the lead.
FOURTH: Sand Pipes ships in after winning two straight at Monmouth; ready for prime time. Big Everest is a front-running threat on "A" efforts. Lucky Score could impact if pace meltdown ensues.
FIFTH: Remember the Chief was a non-stressful fourth in last; forward move predicted with blinkers on. Noguchi should improve with return to dirt. Shadow Surge, plunges precipitously for first start in 18 months; fire sale?
SIXTH: Shared Success is rested and training with a purpose; big effort on tap. Shipsational gets confident price boost in first start since claimed; very playable. Aggregation is speedy and could prove very tough on a soft lead.
SEVENTH: Sounds Like a Plan tallied sharp final fraction when a determined winner in last; more to come. Ramblin' Wreck packs potent late wallop on best efforts. Leon Blue is speedy and consistently fires big efforts; must consider.
EIGHTH: Skylander is fresh and training sharply. Laughing Boy could play out as the dominant speed. He's Got This drops to more appropriate level; don't ignore.
NINTH: Filoso outworked 177 rivals in half-mile bullet last week; primed. Buttah was a front-end winner in last and owns faster back numbers. Tuscan Gold should pack intensified kick with cutback to mile.
10TH: Italian Soiree gets class relief after racing too close to hot pace at Kentucky Downs last time; call based on price. Love Cervere could be the prime beneficiary if pace meltdown ensues. Abientot regressed in last after game placing in prior; bounce-back threat.
11TH: Zapruder was a tough-trip sixth in last; fires big shot in third start of form cycle. El de Larry was a clear-cut second in last; dangerous. Mo Kreesa is riding a forward line on the numbers; must consider, Kid Kreesa is a speedy threat on "A" effort.
