Today’s Saturday Stumper

Today’s Newsday  Saturday Stumper is by Stan Newman, the puzzle’s editor, and it’s a tough one. Fifty-two minutes for me, and I was prepared to give up and get a hint when I hit upon another possibility for 1-A, eight letters, “Where locks are picked.” And the rest of the northwest corner fell into place.

Some clue-and-answer pairs of note:

8-D, three letters, “Cal Poly U. city.” Now I get it.

10-D, four letters, “He’s into financial analysis.” I wasn’t fooled.

25-A, four letters, “Coffee cup holder.” I learned something.

26-A, nine letters, “Upped the pressure on.” Oof.

27-D, five letters, “MyFamily Rainbow Bone, e.g.” I thought this must be something like a My Little Pony cutie mark. Because granddaughters.

30-A, six letters, “Spat’s close relative.” Nicely misdirective.

31-A, thirteen letters, “BBC’s home, as often announced.” Getting this answer felt strangely reassuring.

35-A, seven letters, “Compound in supermarket soups and sauces.” Ick.

38-A, nine letters, “Ergs, dynes, etc.” Well, they’re units, right? But oof again.

39-D, six letters, “First in episodic drama creation.” Now I understand first.

45-A, four letters, “‘Terrible swift sword’ user.”

My favorite in this puzzle: 51-A, eight letters, “Maltese cross candidate.” Far out.

No spoilers; the answers are in the comments.