Steve Matthews' Saratoga selections for Saturday, Aug. 20
Best Bet: PEACEFUL WATERS (3); Best Value: BARNEGAT LIGHT (11)
FIRST: Floki's Flight drops after taking backward step in last; rebounds. Fazaro has finished second in last three; runner-up again? Sebaray was just a head behind Fazaro after wide trip in last; must consider.
SECOND: U Cant Handle This projects as the main speed with proper handling. Gagliano runs late and would be aided if top selection wilts in the lane. Holiday Jazz drops in first start since claimed; damaged goods?
THIRD: Peaceful Waters was done in by sizzling splits last time; softer flow predicted. Risk Profile owns fast late-pace figures on best efforts; very playable. Favorite Outlaw owns a win, two seconds and a third from four starts; all the earmarks of an underlay.
FOURTH: Royal Currency is fleet-footed and moves to grass; call in weak field. My Cara Mia Mine looms the prime beneficiary if pace meltdown ensues. Rent Control was a front-running second on Belmont turf on the Fourth of July; must respect.
FIFTH: Coach Petro has drilled twice since strong placing in debut; more to come. J'adoro could be aided by added ground; very interesting. Rarified Flair was a tough-trip third in last; worth long look.
SIXTH: Dr. Blute could capitalize on clear-cut lead with heads-up handling. Best Idea owns fast figures but appears to prefer minor awards; mixed message. Forever Wicked fired 3-furlong bullet since last start; price will be tempting.
SEVENTH: Summonyourcourage has made incremental moves on the numbers in all three starts; more to come. Good News Rocket was bought for $700k earlier this year; could be the goods. Game Change, an $850k yearling, compiled consistent work tab; charting a must.
EIGHTH: With The Moonlight logged swift final fraction when winning last; pairs up. Consumer Spending owns a win and a second in two starts on Spa sod; logical, short-priced contender from Chad Brown barn. Dolce Zel, an uncoupled barn mate of second selection, is 1-for-1 on Saratoga turf; another unplayable turf stakes race.
NINTH: Robin Sparkles set hot splits when a wire-to-wire winner in last; takes another. Lady Edith could be in the garden spot if top selection succumbs to pace pressure. Change of Control, a determined victor on Colonial grass last time, is right in the thick of this with similar effort.
TENTH: Nest dominated four rivals when a 12-length winner in the CCA Oaks last out; another stakes race for watching only. Nostalgic packs a potent kick on :A" efforts; worth a look. Gerrymander has trained strongly since winning the Mother Goose on June 25; classic Chad Brown.
ELEVENTH: Barnegat Light owns positional speed in bulky nightcap; good race to throw deep. Box N Score drops to lifetime low; more than good enough on best. Wicked Fast also gets class relief after fast-figured sixth in last; big-time contender. Aviano, another that plunges in price, owns fast back numbers; be no surprise.
