Steve Matthews' Belmont at the Big A selections for Friday, Oct. 17
Best bet: MY LIFE STORY (9)
Best value: MY DEVINE ONE (3)
FIRST: Watdoyousay Jose ran past six rivals from the quarter pole to the wire when winning debut; takes another. Turriga is speedy and could prove tough on a soft lead. Miss Bourbon could impact if pace meltdown ensues.
SECOND: Essentially Fast drops and moves to dirt; improvement predicted. Moneybags Milton gets confident price hike in first start since claimed; very interesting. Always Honest was a clear-cut second to a runaway winner in debut; worth long look.
THIRD: My Devine One gets class relief and returns to main track; sitting on forward move. Pinky Brier exits much-improved placing in last; logical contender. Cathedral Aisle outworked 42 rivals in half-mile bullet on Oct. 2; follow the money.
FOURTH: Vesting owns speed and logged four tight works for first start in eight weeks. Trikari won Grade 1 Belmont Derby in lone start on Big A sod; dangerous. Catch a Wave could be in the garden spot if fractions get hot and hectic.
FIFTH: Renegade chased fast fractions when third in debut this past summer; noticeably picked up the tempo in final two works for return. Hedge Ratio moves to dirt in second start for Chad Brown; worth long look. Credit History was a sharp second in first start; must be factored into the mix.
SIXTH: Lucky Dragon returns to dirt and should move forward in second start since six-month layoff. Good Cop drops and adds blinkers and could get early jump with Kendrick Carmouche aboard. Carlin Contention could impact if pace meltdown ensues.
SEVENTH: Heavyweight Champs projects as the speed of the speed with heads-up handling. Exploration owns fast figures but takes suspicious price plunge; your move. Charlie's Express consistently fires solid efforts but usually lands minor awards; mixed message.
EIGHTH: Ican logged tight work tab for suddenly live Rick Dutrow barn; ready. Cultivate was sent to the sidelines after winning debut on Aug. 27; classic Chad Brown. Notah was a front-running winner in last; right in the thick of this.
NINTH: My Life Story should pack intensified late wallop with cutback to sprint. Nano Man gets class relief after regressing in last; bounce-back threat. Pandemic Hero's speed gives him a puncher's chance at a price. Prince of Dance holds razor-sharp current condition; don't overlook.
