Steve Matthews' Saratoga selections for July 9-12
Thursday, July 9
Best bet: BRIDLE A BUTTERFLY (8)
Best value: I'M A CUTIE PIE (5)
FIRST: Snide projects as the main speed on the rail with heads-up handling. Bow Draw could be in the garden spot if top selection hits the wall. Street View compiled tight work tab for first start since January; worth long look.
SECOND: Generational was a useful fifth in debut; more to give. Beach Sandals was eliminated at the start last time; dangerous. Call Attendant was done in by fast fractions in debut; don't ignore.
THIRD: Lil Tipsy was a tough-trip second in last; rates close call. Cold Spell logged placings in both starts; runner-up again? Fletch's Rockette concluded work tab with crisp half-mile; very interesting.
FOURTH: Twirly stretches out to distance of lone win after middle move and fade in last; tightened. Karey could be in the catbird seat if pace meltdown ensues. Amelia's Echo, an uncoupled barn mate of Karey, owns fast numbers on best efforts.
FIFTH: I'm a Cutie Pie owns two wins at the distance and swift back numbers; call based on price. Soaring High tallied fast numbers in last two starts; be no surprise. Hidden Rose logged 12-length score in last at Finger Lakes; odds will be tempting.
SIXTH: Play With Fire fits Chad Brown's signature pattern; you know the drill. Brisbane, also from the Brown barn, tallied fast late-pace figures in both stateside starts; dangerous. Opulent Restraint owns speed and could prove tough on a soft lead.
SEVENTH: War Master was pace- and trip-compromised last out; improvement predicted. Screaming Uncle is fleet-footed and should be aided by cutback to 6 furlongs. Factually Correct also is speedy and gets class relief after bouncing in last; worth long look.
EIGHTH: Bridle a Butterfly should pack amplified wallop with cutback to sprint. Kid Billy could play out as the controlling speed in first grass start; worth long look. Russi notched both wins on Spa sod; very interesting.
NINTH: Feline Curious outworked 27 rivals in half-mile bullet on Saratoga grass since clear-cut second in last; gets there today. Coordinator owns a second and a third in two starts for Chad Brown; logical contender. C J Star was compromised by wide trip when favored in last; dangerous. Okefenokee made sustained run when a sharp third in last; right in the thick of this.
Friday, July 10
Best bet: A FINE CHARDONNAY (9)
Best value: QUIET CONFIDENCE (7)
FIRST: Sorrentino adds blinkers and could get the early jump with aggressive handling. Asked and Answered could be in the garden spot if top selection hits the wall. Hadrian's Wall has finished second in all three starts; another minor placing?
SECOND: Pros and Cons has the benefit of the rail on tight-turned turf course. Mary's Gunna Run fired 3-furlong bullet since clear-cut placing in debut. Golden Siren debuts for Mark Casse; follow the money.
THIRD: B Thedonald was done in by poor start in last; amplified kick with cutback to shorter sprint. New York Scrappy is riding a two-race winning streak; very dangerous. Runaway Joke could prove to be a very tough customer as the speed of the speed; worth long look.
FOURTH: Debt Limit consistently logs field's fastest late-pace figures. Favorable Scenario, an uncoupled barn mate of top selection, owns a win and a second in two starts on Spa sod; very dangerous. Elnajd lost all chance after stumbling at the break in last; must consider.
FIFTH: Whatchatalkinabout returns to dirt after subpar effort on turf last out; 5-furlong bullet on June 29 seals the deal. Contrary Thinking owns speed and fast figures; big-time threat. Vibrant Express also is quick from gate and must be factored into the mix.
SIXTH: Private Property compiled tight work tab for first start since March; ready. Loveontheleftbank exits game third in last; be no surprise. Epic Selloff drops into maiden claimer after even third in debut; be no surprise.
SEVENTH: Quiet Confidence, 1-for-1 on Saratoga grass, is firing bullets for first start since September; ready. Abientot is fresh and owns fast back figures; very interesting. Sadie Earp is speedy and can prove very tough on a soft lead.
EIGHTH: Ah Ca Ira tallied career-best number when winning lone start on Spa loam; more to come. Jackie the Joker is speedy and riding a two-race winning streak; could easily take another. Curlin's Magic could impact if pace meltdown ensues.
NINTH: A Fine Chardonnay needed last and should make forward move in second start since layoff. Mythical could play out as the speed of the speed with heads-up handling. Carmel Coast owns two wins and a second from four starts; must respect.
10TH: Nod to Tran was an improved third at 27-1 last out and should have more in tank in fourth start of new form cycle. Ink Lies drops into maiden claimer and hails from Wes Ward barn; likely underlay. Two Ducks bested top selection by nearly three lengths when second in last; hard to ignore. Twenty Two Black moves to grass after sharp placing in most recent; must consider.
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Saturday, July 11
Best bet: TRICKY BUSINESS (9)
Best value: MINARET STATION (10)
FIRST: Decimation displayed sharp speed in debut; experience helps. Midnight Still was a late-running third in first start; obvious danger. Harbaugh debuts for Mark Casse; charting a must.
SECOND: Aerial Affair concluded work tab with two 5-furlong bullets; best guess in field of newcomers. Angel of Kirk also is training swiftly and hails from Brad Cox barn; could be the goods. Bluegrass Princess is from a dam that has produced a stakes winner; must be factored into the mix.
THIRD: Army Gal is fresh and could be ideally positioned in the stalker's seat. Speightful Lily consistently fires solid efforts; dangerous. Next On Stage, an uncoupled barn mate of top selection, wheels back in a hurry and returns to dirt; very interesting.
FOURTH: Alan Turing has trained sharply since determined win in last; more to come. Final Verdict makes third start of form cycle; worth long look. Intellect was a non-stressful fourth in last; must consider.
FIFTH: In Our Time was done in by poor start last out; rates close call in compact field. Sunna is riding a three-race winning streak; dangerous. Obstreperous owns a win on Spa sod; don't ignore.
SIXTH: Uptown Rosie noticeably picked up the tempo in final drill; timid call in 14-horse field with 13 newcomers. Luck Penny is from a dam that has thrown two winners from two foals to race. Call Me Rosie compiled swift work tab; follow the money.
SEVENTH: Yinzer projects as the main speed with proper handling. Unit Economics fits Chad Brown's signature pattern; be no surprise. Walley World could roll past them all if pace gets hot and hectic.
EIGHTH: Cuando could play out as the speed of the speed with heads-up handling. Gypsy Art is riding a forward line on the numbers; big-time player. Bosun, 2-for-2 on Saratoga turf, is firing bullets for first start since January; don't ignore.
NINTH: Tricky Business adds blinkers and returns to NY-bred ranks; forward move predicted. Toscano could be in the garden spot if pace meltdown ensues. Hey Toby outworked 62 rivals in half-mile bullet on the Fourth of July; very interesting.
10TH: Minaret Station tallied fast late-pace figure when second to a repeat winner in last; gets there today. Ole Crazy Bone is fresh, has the rail and logs fast figures; very dangerous. Carson's Run is a two-time winner on Spa grass; don't dismiss.
11TH: Before the Wind, an even fifth in last, could be sitting on breakthrough in third start of form cycle. Classic Commander held more than a length to the good on top selection when second on June 13; very playable. Karsten, third in same last race as top pair, has much upside in second career race. Professor Proton exits sprints and starts from the hedge in turf debut; price will be tempting.
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Sunday, July 12
Best bet: TWENTY ONE RED (9)
Best value: HIGHLANDS WAY (8)
FIRST: Cut Down the Nets holds an experience edge in field with nine newcomers. Hammerin Henry is from a dam that has produced two winners from two foals to race. Tinian concluded work tab with two swift half-mile drills; charting a must.
SECOND: Midnight Concerto was pace-compromised in last and should be aided by today's added ground. Trail of Gold makes third start of form cycle after gaming placing in last. Malibu Smart never got going in the slop last time; return to turf is key.
THIRD: Cararra drops and takes blinkers off; forward move predicted. Calling an Audible looms a danger if pace meltdown ensues. Vino Frizzante is fresh and logs fast numbers on "A" efforts.
FOURTH: Zodiac Warrior was done in by rough start in well-bet debut; deserves another chance. Berta's Stitch should find today's mile trip right in his wheelhouse; big-time player. Liam's Law owns solid turf breeding on dam's side; must consider.
FIFTH: Immortal Poet makes first start with maiden-claiming tag; forward move predicted. Tune Timer fired half-mile bullet since displaying newfound speed in last; very playable. Lots of Kisses has failed to get the job done when favored in last three starts; you've been warned.
SIXTH: Limes Don't Lie was a clear-cut second in last; more to come. Strong State looms the prime beneficiary if fractions get hot and hectic. Alyeska, an uncoupled barn mate of top selection, fits Chad Brown's signature pattern.
SEVENTH: Banker Bull is the only member of 11-horse field to have started; chartist's special. Five Grand owns win-early breeding on both sides of pedigree; could be the goods. Midnight Raider is from a dam that has thrown three winners; very interesting.
EIGHTH: Highlands Way tallied visually impressive maiden score in last; more to come. High Beta is training with a purpose for first start since last September for Chad Brown; you know the drill. Remi's Moon (tough-trip fourth in last) and City of Oscars (fast figures on best efforts) are two more that must be factored into the mix.
NINTH: Twenty One Red should pack amplified wallop with cutback to abbreviated sprint. Eye On the Ball, an even third in lone turf start, logged five tight works in the interim. Thirsted is speedy and has Kendrick Carmouche aboard; worth long look. Until Last Call is riding a forward line on the numbers; price will be tempting.
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