Steve Matthews' Belmont at the Big A selections for Saturday, Oct. 4
Best bet: PEAK HYPE (12)
Best value: FIVE BARS (6)
FIRST: Stormy Central drops and gets blinkers and Lasix; wake-up potential in weak opener. Sheer Will is speedy and makes quick return; dangerous. Snide, an uncoupled barn mate of Sheer Will, was a game second in last; worth long look.
SECOND: Rated by Merit has yet to taste defeat in four starts; holds huge edge on the numbers. Dreambuilder is riding a two-race winning streak. Wise Up was freshened for seven weeks after winning last; don't ignore.
THIRD: Golden Plate makes first start since claimed by Linda Rice; owns field's fastest numbers on "A" efforts. Leading Role broke maiden in first start on Big A loam; dangerous. Henry's Hope owns speed, drops and returns to dirt; price will be tempting.
FOURTH: Asbury Park was pace- and trip-compromised in last; three works in the interim are the clincher. Hill Road packs potent kick on best efforts. Noble Confessor could prove very tough on an unchallenged lead.
FIFTH: Salt Princess tallied fast late-pace figure in last; needs to escape AE list. River Empress was a willing third behind top pick in last; gets call if Salt Princess scratches. Sparkling Mama owns speed and adds blinkers; big-time, front-end threat. Karey was a useful fourth in same last race as top two; must consider.
SIXTH: Five Bars made last-to-first run to win debut; added ground plays to strength. Iron Orchard has visually and numerically impressed in both starts; very dangerous. Secane tallied front-running score in debut at Gulfstream; must be factored into the mix.
SEVENTH: Stradale was done in by sizzling splits last out; softer flow predicted. It's Our Time won debut at Spa by an otherworldly 17 lengths; could easily romp again. Aye Eye regressed last time after hard-charging win in debut; don't overlook.
EIGHTH: Deep Learning was a better-than-it-looks fifth in Woodbine stakes last time; forward move predicted. Miss Call tallied solid final fraction when breaking maiden last time; worth long look. El Barrio overcame wide trip to win last; very interesting.
NINTH: Big Invasion, a useful fifth in last, should improve in second start since nine-month absence. Waralo is riding a three-race winning streak. Twisted Filagree's speed must be respected.
10TH: Twenty Two Black is training swiftly for debut; charting a must in eight-horse field with six newcomers. Concrete Bolt concluded work tab with half-mile bullet. Nearly was purchased for $350K as a yearling. My World showed the most of the two that have started.
11TH: King d'Oro is training with a purpose for first start in seven weeks. Cuando exits front-running maiden score in last; very playable. Middle Market packs potent kick on best efforts and will offer beefy ticket; worth long look.
12TH: Peak Hype tallied rapid late-pace figure when a tough-trip fourth in last. Phoenix of Wit logged clear-cut win in lone grass start; worth long look. So Darn Pretty is fleet-footed and rates a puncher's chance at a playable price. Wrigleyville owns three seconds and two thirds from last six starts; right in the thick of this.
