Steve Matthews' Saratoga selections for Friday, July 29
Best bet: MORE MANGO (10)
Best value: BLAME IT ON MARY (4)
FIRST: Southern Flag was a useful fifth in first start in nearly a year last time; more to give. Sidekick logged fast late-pace figures in both starts; dangerous. Cheeky Tico was a clear-cut second in last; must consider.
SECOND: Highgate Road is training with a purpose for first start since April; class drop seals the deal. Lookin Grand makes third start of form cycle after failing as the favorite last time; recoups losses? Seanan makes comeback from eight-month absence for potent layoff barn; worth long look.
THIRD: Fingal's Cave has won both starts by a combined 17 1/2 lengths; keeps on giving. Spiked tallied solid final fraction when breaking maiden last out; very interesting. Frost Me needed last and owns faster back numbers; very interesting.
FOURTH: Blame It On Mary projects as the speed of the speed with aggressive ride. Lucky Latkes could be the prime beneficiary if top selection gets hooked in front-end duel. Summer At the Spa should pack enhanced kick with cutback to shorter sprint; too much of a hunch play for this corner.
FIFTH: Mad Magic made sustained rally when a strong fourth in dirt debut; move to grass could play to strength. Inspired Mischief owns sprinter's speed and could prove tough on a soft lead. Sweeping Giant compiled tight work tab for first start since last September; could easily take this on "A" effort.
SIXTH: Ten Cent Town was a clear-cut second when favored in debut; timid call in race that's jammed with newcomers. Quick Chaos was just slightly more than a length behind top pick after tough trip in first start; be no surprise. Acoustic Ave is training swiftly for potent first-out barn; could be the goods.
SEVENTH: Western River has worked sharply since handy five-length score at CD last out; rail draw is the clincher. Creative Minister held his own in both the Belmont Stakes and the Preakness and returns with eye-catching work tab in tow; very dangerous. Artorius is a classic fresh and sharp-working Chad Brown-trained runner; right in the thick of this.
EIGHTH: Xy Speed could be ideally positioned in the stalker's seat in field with ample speed. Kobe Tough, one of the front-runners, could prove to be a handful if able to shake clear in the early going. Spirit Animal owns a win and a second in four starts on Saratoga grass; price will be tempting.
NINTH: Motion to Strike projects as the swiftest of the swift with heads-up handling. Street Culture has been idle since fast-figure maiden win in April; Linda Rice barn is more than capable off the bench. Baltasar delivers strong efforts with machinelike consistency; must be factored into the mix.
10TH: More Mango was pace- and position-compromised when a close-up fourth in last; 1-for-1 on Spa turf. Rosemary Potatoes owns positional speed in a bulky field; very interesting. Radiant Gem is riding a two-race winning streak; hard to toss. Voice of Spring (sharp current condition) and Stella Mars (fast-finishing second in last) are two more players in wide-open nightcap.
