Steve Matthews' Belmont at the Big A selections for Thursday, Oct. 23
Best bet: PURPOSE (7)
Best value: STARSHIP AVA (6)
FIRST: Sir Kartrite owns speed, drops and returns to dirt; half-mile bullet last week seals the deal. Turn and Count turns back to sprint and should pack enhanced kick. Secured Lender broke maiden in last and now makes first start since claimed; very playable.
SECOND: Disclaimer worked three times since change-of-pace third in last; sitting on breakthrough. Suspiciously Named could play out as the speed on the rail. Atomic Age needed last and hails from Chad Brown barn; must consider.
THIRD: Echo in Eternity was done in by pace pressure last time; softer flow predicted. Whistler's Style could be in the garden spot if top selection hits the wall. My First Love defeated top two when a determined winner in last; dangerous.
FOURTH: Enigmatic exits 13-length score at Penn National last out; more to come. Best Impression gets Kendrick Carmouche after showing improved speed in last; dangerous. Sight to See takes precipitous price plunge; damaged goods?
FIFTH: Diliello gets class relief and cuts back to sprint; intensified wallop predicted. Escape Hall could play out as the speed of the speed with heads up handling. B Raging On is riding a forward line on the numbers for Rudy Rodriguez; worth long look.
SIXTH: Starship Ava tallied sharp final fraction when a useful fourth in debut; forward move predicted. Joropo logged four tight works since non-stressful fifth in first start; very interesting. Atenea is fleet-footed and could prove very tough on a soft lead.
SEVENTH: Purpose is fresh and logged only win after similar layoff; history repeats. Grace and Grit is fleet-footed and could play out as the main speed. Higher Force owns three seconds from last four starts; be no surprise.
EIGHTH: My Anticipation logged only win on Big A sod this past spring; trainer-rider combo is 2-for-5 in last 60 days. Mac to Moore fired crisp half-mile drill on Oct. 17 and could be ideally positioned in bulky nightcap. Kyla's Kause is right in the thick of this on "A" efforts. Gold Stamp is fresh and should be forwardly placed; don't ignore.
