Steve Matthews' Belmont at the Big A selections for Sunday, Sept. 28
Best bet: MAGIC PATHWAY (8)
Best value: LUCKY DRAGON (9)
FIRST: Last Man Standing (owns fast late-pace figures and is training sharply) and Noguchi (owns speed and returns to dirt) are uncoupled runners from Linda Rice barn; former gets nod based on better price potential. Nantz drops and moves back to main track; don't ignore.
SECOND: Whistler's Style should pack intensified kick with cutback to 7 furlongs. Brzina is fleet-footed and rested; dangerous. Echo in Eternity was freshened for eight weeks after hard-fought placing in last; must consider.
THIRD: Walk With Me regressed in last after winning prior two starts; rebounds. Points Is Points owns speed and could prove very tough on a soft lead. Scarlett's Halo and Fully Subscribed are uncoupled runners from Chad Brown barn; need more?
FOURTH: Dinghy Bar ran late in debut and should be aided by today's additional 16th. Waitin'onasunnyday owns speed and adds blinkers; big-time, front-end threat. Exhibition Only drops for suddenly live Rudy Rodriguez stable; right in the thick of this.
FIFTH: Turf Rocket ships in after winning two in a row; ready for prime time. Artistic Success is fleet-footed and could play out as the controlling speed. Victoria's Dancer drops and could impact if pace meltdown ensues.
SIXTH: George's Gold is from a dam that has thrown four winners from six starters; charting a must. Bravaro, another newcomer, fired half-mile bullet on Sept. 1. Max Money (first start with maiden-claiming tag) and Fourth and One (second when debuting in stakes race) are the experienced runners that must be factored into the mix.
SEVENTH: Fancy Footwork made middle move and flattened last out; tighter today. All About You owns a second and a third from two starts; logical contender. Concurrently fired half-mile bullet for move to main track for Chad Brown; worth long look.
EIGHTH: Magic Pathway tallied fast late-pace figure when a sharp second in last; more to give. Snookie Bear is rested and training with a purpose; very interesting. Capitol Hill gets class relief after rough trip in last at Kentucky Downs.
NINTH: Lucky Dragon logged string of endurance-building drills for first grass start; call based on price. Deemer was a game second when favored in last; shirt-priced player once again. Lets Fight exits tough-trip fifth in last; don't overlook. Solo Dancing is from a dam that has produced two turf winners; price will be tempting.
