Steve Matthews' Belmont at the Big A selections for Saturday, Sept. 27
Best bet: IGNITE THE LIGHT (3)
Best value: CRAZY MASON (9)
FIRST: Missing Brian made sustained rally when fourth in debut; added furlong is key. Buntus Foclora adds blinkers and gets rider upgrade; dangerous. Igniter worked five times since third in debut; very interesting.
SECOND: Heavyweight Champs was a change-of-pace third in last; forward move predicted. Ride Up took backward step in last after front-running third in prior; bounce-back potential. Turbo exits game placing in last at Gulfstream; must consider.
THIRD: Ignite the Light tallied both wins on Big A loam; call based on price. Hurricane Nelson is speedy and can prove very tough on a soft lead. Treaty Obligation consistently logs fast figures; must be factored into the mix.
FOURTH: Bold Journey fired 3-furlong bullet since willing second in last; gets there today. Dancing Buck is fleet-footed and could play out as the dominant speed. Twenty Six Black bested top pick by more than two lengths when winning last; obvious threat.
FIFTH: Far Bridge is 2-for-2 on Big A sod. El Cordobes displayed solid late kick to win Grade 1 Sword Dancer in stateside debut; Euro-bounces today? Rebel Red was just a half-length behind second selection last time; must respect.
SIXTH: Post Time demolished two rivals by 17 lengths in Laurel stake last out; ready for prime time. Phileas Fogg looms the controlling front-runner. Locked is 2-for-2 at Aqueduct; don't ignore.
SEVENTH: Atenea owns sprinter's speed and could capitalize on soft lead. Livin the Breeze will be in the garden spot if top selection hits the wall. Cosmic Candy Girl has finished second in both starts; be no surprise.
EIGHTH: R Disaster projects as the speed of the speed on the fence. All Class was just a length to rear of top pick when a clear-cut second in last; dangerous. Sterling Silver should improve with return to dirt.
NINTH: Crazy Mason consistently logs field's fastest late-pace figures. Patriot Spirit could be ideally positioned in the stalker's seat; very playable. Doc Sullivan tallies fast figures on "A" efforts.
10TH: Cynane, a hard-charging winner in last, should pack amplified wallop with cutback to sprint. Toasted Roll is quick from gate and should be aided by shorter trip. Leslie's Humor is fresh and hails from Chad Brown barn; must be factored into the mix.
11TH: Highest Distinction notched swift final fraction when second in key race last out. Dear Dad is a very tough customer when allowed an unchallenged lead. Judge Davis packs powerful late kick on best efforts.
12TH: Letmecounttheways outworked 167 rivals in half-mile drill on Sept. 13; charting a must. Hot Currency was a game second in debut; big-time player. No Need to Panic (dam produced five winners from five starters) and Giovanna Marie (concluded work tab with crisp 5-furlong work) are two more newcomers that must be considered. Absolute Smoke adds blinkers after displaying speed in debut; right in the thick of this.
