Steve Matthews' Saratoga selections for Aug. 5-9
Wednesday, Aug. 5
Best bet: CLASSIC COMMANDER (10)
Best value: IMAGINE JOHN (5)
FIRST: McTigue was a clear-cut winner over the course on July 5; takes another. Salted Carmel would be aided by fast fractions. Roja Redemption is speedy but must avoid front-end duel.
SECOND: Quiddity gets Lasix and is training with a purpose for first start since December. Carmen Amalia is speedy and adds blinkers; big-time, front-end threat. Promise Me Amelody debuts for potent first-out barn; stay tuned to the tote.
THIRD: Empress New Groove is working swiftly for first start on main track. Wedelia looms the prime beneficiary if pace meltdown ensues. Slow Kara, an uncoupled barn mate of top selection, is another that would be aided by swift splits.
FOURTH: Relaxx has the benefit of the rail on tight-turned turf course. Power of Destiny was a determined winner in last at Woodbine; very interesting. Ontario should move forward with return to turf.
FIFTH: Imagine John has trained swiftly since middle move and fade in last; tighter today. Ramajay, another with sharp works, owns two wins, four seconds and a third from eight starts; must respect. Sharons Beach owns fast figures but seems to prefer minor awards; you've been warned.
SIXTH: Shinobu could get the early jump with aggressive handling from the hedge. Rockabye will be in the garden spot if top selection hits the wall. Without Hesitation was purchased for $2.3 million this past April; better be a race horse for that price.
SEVENTH: Implacable adds blinkers and projects as the main speed with Kendrick Carmouche aboard. Wingfoot was a game second in last; big-time player. Holy Dancer could land in the exotics if pace meltdown comes to pass.
EIGHTH: Tirupati tallied solid final fraction when a clear-cut second in last. Pop Art is riding a two-race winning streak; worth long look. Marketplaceofideas is another that won last two starts; must be factored into the mix.
NINTH: Usha owns fast figures and drops into NY-bred field; prohibitive price predicted. Landed is speedy and 2-for-3 on Spa loam; must respect. Munnings Express makes third start of form cycle; don't overlook.
10TH: Classic Commander was a better-than-it-looks sixth in last start; gets top honors today. Bourboncentric was an improved fourth in last; very interesting. Nonno Joe is competitive on best efforts; price will be tempting. Portdown Lad regressed in last after fast-figured placing in prior; rebound potential.
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Thursday, Aug. 6
Best bet: YO BANANA BOY (9)
Best value: MO MAHOMIE (3)
FIRST: Interlock Empire drops and logs fast numbers on best efforts. Screaming Uncle could prove a tough customer on a soft lead. Expensive Cut wheels back in a hurry after speed-and-fade fifth at Finger Lakes last week.
SECOND: All About Soul is from a dam that has thrown two turf winners; potent first-out barn. Al Mowashaah moves to grass for Brad Cox; must respect. Monaco Crown adds blinkers and could capitalize on unchallenged lead.
THIRD: Mo Mahomie, a clear-cut second in last, should pack intensified kick with cutback to sprint. Always Honest is speedy and gets Kendrick Carmouche; big-time front-end threat. Chris's Song was an even fourth in first start since two-month layoff; must consider.
FOURTH: Irish Jackson was rested after hard-charging win on June 9; picks up where she left off. City Blocks is fleet-footed and drops; be no surprise. Short Shift's speed gives her a puncher's chance at a playable price.
FIFTH: Sir Walta gets Lasix and makes first start with maiden-claiming tag; wire to wire. Make a Prediction looms the prime beneficiary if pace meltdown ensues. Mykonos was a tough-trip third in last; right in the thick of this.
SIXTH: We Goin compiled tight work tab for move to dirt; throw deep in wide-open field of NY-bred 2-year-olds. Cody's Approval makes quick return and also switches to main track; very interesting. Juana Margarita debuts for strong first-out barn; charting a must.
SEVENTH: Market Timing logged 10-length score in first grass start; classic Chad Brown. Risk Tolerance, another from the Brown barn, consistently logs fast figures; very dangerous. Cuando could prove tough to collar on soft lead.
EIGHTH: Relative Value drilled four times since hard-charging win in last; more to come. Bourbon for Toby took backward step in last after fast-figured placing in prior; rebound potential. Walley World tallies swift numbers with machinelike consistency.
NINTH: Yo Banana Boy tallied sharp score in Finger Lakes stake last out; ready for prime time. Doc Sullivan is more than good enough on "A" efforts. El Grande O has won three of last six outings; don't overlook.
10TH: Intothewilderness logged swift late-pace figure when third in last; gets there today. Bernina Express owns speed and makes first start with maiden-claiming tag; worth long look. Chaumet drops after improved sixth in last; very interesting. Luciana's Honor is rested and owns positional speed; don't ignore.
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Friday, Aug. 7
Best bet: BOTTAS (9)
Best value: BRIDLE A BUTTERFLY (7)
FIRST: Dia Por Dia, idle for nearly eight months, logged win in debut in fall of 2025; ready to roll. Margarita Molly is speedy and should be aided by cutback to 7 furlongs. Here'syourtrouble drops and makes third start of form cycle; don't ignore.
SECOND: Raynham Hall runs late and could get ideal setup in bulky field. Midtown Mischief owns speed but lacks heart; you've been warned. Luckbeourlady moves to grass for Miguel Clement; worth long look.
THIRD: Maximum Heat broke last and raced wide when close-up fifth in debut; more to give. Isthereanormalwife was a game second in dirt debut and looms the main speed in turf route. Coach Ryan was second as the favorite in last two starts; logical, short-priced player.
FOURTH: Elysian Meadows never got going in the slop last out; dry land is key. Long Pour is 2-for-3 on Spa loam; dangerous. What's Up Bro is fleet-footed and could prove tough on a soft lead.
FIFTH: Urgency tallied fast final fraction when winning last; pairs up. Ez Roll delivers strong efforts with machinelike consistency. Googol Joke is a wire-to-wire threat if unchallenged up front.
SIXTH: Ed Charles was a useful fourth after poor start in debut; glides to victory. Audible Johnny bested a next-out winner when a clear-cut second in debut; dangerous. Coltrane is from a dam that has produced four winners from four foals to race.
SEVENTH; Bridle a Butterfly makes first start since claimed after tallying sustained rally for fourth in last; improvement predicted. Remi's Moon should benefit from cutback to sprint; very interesting. Two Ducks logged lone win on Spa sod; price will be tempting.
EIGHTH: You're Lookin Good should pack amplified wallop with cutback to mile. Mirage bested top pick by nearly a length last out and consistently logs fast figures. Shangrala Road returns to dirt in third start of form cycle; improvement expected.
NINTH: Bottas tallied solid late-pace figure when a non-stressful fifth in last; more to come. Arizona Territory took backward step in last after winning prior two starts. Third Coast is another that regressed in most recent after winning two back; must be factored into the mix.
10TH: Faithful Departed consistently logs field's fastest late-pace figures. Fitz Right was just half-length behind top pick in last; be no surprise. Kentucky Belle was a winner at the distance last out; right in the thick of this.
11TH: Baby Sassicaia made hard-charging run to win last; takes another. Mursal has won three of last four; very dangerous. Carolina Smokeshow is speedy and rested; don't dismiss. Curlin's Magic could impact if pace meltdown ensues.
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Saturday, Aug. 8
Best bet: EMERGENCE (7)
Best value: SAN SIRO (3)
FIRST: U. S. S. Valor is firing bullets for debut; charting a must in field of nine newcomers. Hemingway concluded work tab with swift 5-furlong drill; worth long look. Coach Pope is from a dam that has thrown two 2-year-old winners.
SECOND: Tommy Tang is from a prolific dam; best guess in 10-horse field with nine firsters. Magical Mikel holds the edge in experience. Mystrix is training swiftly for debut; follow the money.
THIRD: San Siro drops and starts from the rail; two sharp works since last start seal the deal. Bramito is a three-time winner on Spa loam; dangerous. Yo Daddy gets favorable cutback in distance; must consider.
FOURTH: Consumer Sentiment is 1-for-1 on turf and fits Chad Brown's signature pattern. Lovely Christina owns sprinter's speed and could prove tough on a soft lead. Sail With the Wind has won last two outings; don't ignore.
FIFTH: Tagermeen withstood pace pressure to win last; more to come. Private Desire is fleet-footed and could prove tough on a soft lead. Fact regressed last out after hard-fought win in prior; bounce-back threat.
SIXTH: Aerial Affair fired 5-furlong drill since third in debut; rates close call. Rum Twist bested top selection by more than two lengths when second on July 11; dangerous. Red Poppy was purchased for $900K this past April; works suggest she could be the goods.
SEVENTH: Emergence was a useful fourth versus pricier last out; more in the tank. Iron Sight was a determined maiden winner in last; worth long look. Fort Thomas gets Kendrick Carmouche after displaying newfound speed in last; very interesting.
EIGHTH: And the Runner Is was a clear-cut second in debut; gets there today. Arequipe moves to grass after tough-trip third in first start; very interesting. Oscar debuts for potent first-out barn; must consider.
NINTH: Movie Night is riding a two-race winning streak and is training sharply; call in wide-open Test Stakes. Explora owns speed and fast figures; big-time threat. Percy's Bar could impact if pace meltdown ensues.
10TH: Zulu Kingdom tallied fast late-pace figure when winning Kelso Stakes last out; more to come. Lagynos has won five in a row; could easily take another. Rhetorical is fleet-footed and starts from the hedge; right in the thick of this.
11TH: Pacific Avenue gets rider upgrade after finishing seventh in stateside debut; improvement predicted. Title Role, West End Kid and Remember Mamba were separated by just a neck at the wire when one, two, three, respectively, in Belmont Derby; entire trio must be factored into the mix.
12TH: Magnitude's speed and inside slot give him the edge in contentious Whitney. Baeza is the one to fear the most in the stretch if pace meltdown ensues. White Abarrio is more than good enough on "A" efforts.
13TH: Golden Irish projects as the speed of the speed with Carmouche aboard. Helen's Revenge could be in the garden spot if top selection hits the wall. Battis Grove has logged fast numbers in all three starts; must consider.
14TH: Sardis tallied swift final fraction in last and gets the nod if able to escape AE list. Rothschild owns speed and adds blinkers; controlling front-runner if top pick scratches. Versailles Road was a fast-figured third in last; dangerous. Rotterdam won 2-mile steeplechase last out; don't ignore.
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