Steve Matthews' Saratoga selections for Saturday, Aug. 6
Best Bet: EXCURSIONNISTE (12); Best Value: SAFE CONDUCT (5)
FIRST: Alexis Zorba should move forward in second stateside start. Track Mate is from a dam that has produced four grass winners. Mullingar owns turf breeding on both sides of pedigree; very interesting.
SECOND: Tekila makes third start of form cycle after displaying improved speed in last. Mostly Harmless could be the prime beneficiary if top selection wilts in the lane. Madame Rose is 0-for-33 but competitive on best efforts.
THIRD: Quality Stones projects as the speed of the speed with heads-up handling. Mosienko was a front-running second in last; dangerous. Pretty Clever bounced last time after game placing in previous start; rebound threat.
FOURTH: Founder compiled strong work tab for first start since October; potent layoff barn. Eyes On Target delivers strong efforts with machine-like consistency; very dangerous. Turn of Events packs potent late wallop on best efforts.
FIFTH: Safe Conduct is 1-for-1 on Spa sod and should offer value in wide-open field. Dynadrive, a determined winner in last, hails from white-hot Tom Morley barn; very playable. Somelikeithotbrown also loves Saratoga turf (two wins and a second from three starts) and could capitalize on soft lead.
SIXTH: Perform has trained sharply since solid second in debut; rates close call. Disarm was third to a winner that went on to capture stakes in next start; big-time threat. Point Proven is a newcomer that was bought for $675k as a yearling; could be the goods.
SEVENTH: War Like Goddess owns seven wins from nine starts; prohibitive price is the problem. Temple City Terror took backward step in last after sharp score in revious start; worth long look. Key Biscayne defeated Temple City Terror by more than a length when winning second straight last out; must consider.
EIGHTH: Fluid Situation has drilled three times since falling prey to sizzling splits in Dwyer Stakes last time; better flow today. Osbourne runs late and could be in the garden spot if pace meltdown ensues. Scilly Cay is another that would be aided by fast fractions; right in the thick of this.
NINTH: Elm Drive is quick from gate and could secure the rail with aggressive handling in wildly contentious Test Stakes. Matareya is speedy, owns fast numbers and is 4-for-4 this year; all the earmarks on an underlay. Chi Town Lady could land in the gimmicks if pace collapse comes to pass.
TENTH: Olympiad is riding a five-race winning streak for white-hot Bill Mott barn; unplayable Whitney Stakes. Life Is Good could easily make every pole a winning one. Hot Rod Charlie could certainly score on best effort.
ELEVENTH: Classic Causeway took advantage of slow fractions to wire field last time and could be afforded same edge today. Annapolis, a lightly-raced and still developing 3-year-old, could find marathon distance right in his wheelhouse. Emmanuel is firing bullets for first start since June; right in the thick of this.
TWELFTH: Excursionniste owns sprinter's speed and could secure unchallenged lead with proper ride in bulky group. Action Jackson is rested, training with a purpose and packs potent late kick; dangerous. Your Mission, second in two of three starts, is a logical, short-priced contender. Walk Em Down debuts for Chad Brown; obviously wouldn't be a shock.
