Steve Matthews' Saratoga selections for Saturday, Sept. 3
Best Bet: RIA'S ANGEL (12); Best Value: SHADOW MATTER (7)
FIRST: General Jim was a useful third in debut; more to give. Read On is from a dam that has produced two grass winners; very interesting. Ari Gold is another that's bred to handle turf; worth long look.
SECOND: Full Moon Madness fired 5-furlong bullet since willing third in debut. Powerful made powerful late run when second in first start; logical. Parkway debuts for streaking Bill Mott barn; must consider.
THIRD: Perceived should pack enhanced kick with cutback to mile. No Burn owns speed and won four of last five; very dangerous. Up to the Mark logged fast internal and final numbers when winning debut at odds-on; likely underlay once again.
FOURTH: Ethereal Road has trained sharply since failing to impact last time; improvement predicted. Annapolis owns three wins and two seconds from five starts; for those that can't see past the obvious. Celestial City has the benefit of the rail on tight-turned course.
FIFTH: Drink the Wind broke maiden by an otherworldly 22 lengths last out; keeps on giving. Montatham was unjustly dq'd when a determined winner in last; dangerous. Blinding Light owns a win and a second from two starts; be no surprise.
SIXTH: Mo's Treasure is the only member of 10 horse field that has experience; what a game. Mindtap was bought for $725k as a yearling; better have ability for that price. Cagliostro noticeably picked up the tempo in works as race day drew near; very interesting.
SEVENTH: Shadow Matter adds blinkers and could get early jump in first start since claimed. Higher Standard could be in the garden if pace meltdown ensues. Elite Power is another that would be aided by fast fractions.
EIGHTH: Crupi was a tough-trip third in debut; deserves another chance. Arthur's Ride bested top selection by a nose after carving swift splits; be no surprise. Dubyuhnell owns win-early breeding; follow the money.
NINTH: Sanctuary City packs potent wallop on best efforts; two solid works since last start seal the deal. Eyes on Target delivers strong races with machine-like consistency; must consider. Ocean Atlantique set scorching fractions when a game second in last; worth long look.
TENTH: Capital Structure overcame plodding pace when a clear-cut winner in last; pairs up. Virginia Joy could play out as the controlling speed in compact field without a clear-cut front-runner. War Like Goddess owns eight wins from 10 starts; for those that bet on chalk.
ELEVENTH: Keepmeinmind was a "soft" winner last out; gets Grade 1 win today. First Captain is training impressively for first start in eight weeks; dangerous. Dynamic One bested second selection by a nose when winning Suburban; big-time threat. Tax is speedy and starts from the rail; don't ignore.
TWELFTH: Ria's Angel has trained strongly since dominant win last out; takes another. Mr Breadwinner never got going in the slop last time; more formidable on dry land. Midnight Worker drops and returns to dirt; worth a look.
THIRTEENTH: My Cara Mia Mine was a tough-trip fourth in last; improvement expected. Galley Head makes third start of form cycle; price will be tempting. Quick Power Nap owns a second and two thirds from three starts; must consider. Rent Control's speed gives her a puncher's chance at juicy odds; don't ignore.
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