Steve Matthews' Saratoga selections for Saturday, July 30
Best Bet: HOPE OVER FEAR (4); Best Value: FEATHERS ROAD (7)
FIRST: Tatum, a game second in debut, hits hard against five newcomers. Bourbon Resolve fired eye-catching 5-furlong bullet from gate on July 17; could be the goods. Capture the Flag also is training swiftly for debut; charting a must.
SECOND: Determinedly was a useful fourth in debut; forward move predicted. Deccan Prince adds blinkers and fired crisp 5-furlong drill since third in debut; dangerous. American Hustle debuts for potent first-out barn; must consider.
THIRD: Southern Passage should pack enhanced kick with slight cutback in distance. Full Moon Fever is riding a healthy line on internal and final numbers; big-time player. Royal Tryst logged good-looking score on opening day of meet; very interesting.
FOURTH: Hope Over Fear is fresh, training consistently and late-running style fits probable pace dynamics to a tee. Queen de La Creme bested a next-out winner when a game second in last; worth long look. Devilly drops and gets favorable cutback in distance; right in the thick of this.
FIFTH: Lady's Golden Guy could work out stalker's trip from cozy, outside perch. Bronx Bomber regressed in last after fast-figured placing in previous start; rebound threat. Big Engine was a strong second and owns faster back numbers. Quickflash is more than good enough on "A" game.
SIXTH: Wicked Groove consistently logs field's fastest late-pace figures. Lady Emily has won two in a row on Gulfstream's all-weather surface; very dangerous. Malibu Curl should be ideally placed near the front in bulky field.
SEVENTH: Feathers Road took backward step in last after sharp second two back; rebounds. Kimbo Dancer is bullet-like from gate and could be suited by today's abbreviated sprint. Built to Last is another that owns speed but lacks heart; mixed message. Fuoco could be ideally placed in the stalker's perch; must consider.
EIGHTH: Jackie's Warrior owns speed, fast numbers and a 11-for-15 record; monumental underlay in AG Vanderbilt suitable for watching only. Kneepdeepinsnow has trained swiftly since last start. Ny Traffic has won three of last four; next race, please.
NINTH: Early Voting projects as the main speed in compact Jim Dandy field; another unplayable stakes race. Zandon will be in the garden spot if pace meltdown ensues. Epicenter is an obvious contender on his best races.
TENTH: Capone could steal this on the front end with heads-up handling. Capensis visually and numerically impressed when winning debut; demand square price from tough post. Hidden Enemy packs powerful kick on best efforts; right in the thick of this.
ELEVENTH: Bad Guy, a determined last-race winner, has paired up victories in the past. Mo Ready is fleet-footed and makes third start of form cycle; worth long look. Troubling Moon, another that makes peak race since layoff, gets class relief; don't ignore. Healing is rested and owns fast numbers on "A" efforts; must be factored into the mix.
