Steve Matthews' Saratoga selections for Wednesday, July 31
Best bet: HOULTON (9)
Best Value: HAGRID'S FLAME (4)
FIRST: Hold Hard is riding a two-race winning streak. Clara Belle was a "wrapped up" winner over the Aiken jumps last out; consider. Hidden Path, another last-race winner, has trained sharply in the interim.
SECOND: Squire Creek owns speed and drops; set for best in third start of form cycle. Certified Loverboy also is fleet-footed and exits easy score in last; very dangerous. Super Chief would be aided by pace meltdown; worth long look.
THIRD: Irish Tenor makes first start with maiden-claiming tag; weakness of field is selection's strength. Egyptian Quest also drops and will be running last; must consider. Bustino Santino also could impact if fractions get hot and hectic.
FOURTH: Hagrid's Flame tallied solid final fraction when breaking maiden last out; pairs up. Toscano owns sprinter's speed and could prove tough on a soft lead. Jaa Mode bounced last time after top-figured win in prior; rebound threat.
FIFTH: Serious Lady is from a dam that produced a stakes winner; ready at first asking. Cara's Dreamweaver made late run in debut and could be aided by today's added ground. Slightly Busy was done in by pace pressure in first start; must be factored into the mix.
SIXTH: Episode owns turf breeding and could move forward with switch to sod. The Sugars benefits from cutback to shorter sprint. Graceful Warrior compiled sneaky-good work tab for debut; stay tuned to the tote.
SEVENTH: American Gentleman gets class relief and makes third start of form cycle; timid call in basement-level claimer. Nottoway ships in for low-profile Finger Lakes barn and attracts Manny Franco; very interesting. Lord Captain takes suspicious price plunge in first start since claimed; damaged goods?
EIGHTH: Sister Lou Ann was a determined winner in last and owns faster back numbers; more to come. Evvie Jets is speedy and takes sizable class drop; very dangerous. Poca Mucha owns a win, a second and a third in three starts on Spa grass; don't ignore.
NINTH: Houlton gets Lasix and drops into maiden claimer; 5-furlong bullet on July 5 is the clincher. Bold Ambition has finished second in last two; another placing? Always Be Smart, second in last, makes first start since claimed by Linda Rice; worth long look. Dark Devil makes first outing for Brad Cox barn; right in the thick of this.
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