Steve Matthews' Saratoga selections for Thursday, July 28
Best bet: MUD PIE (9)
Best value: DANCING SOPHIA (6)
FIRST: She's Keen logged improved pace and final numbers in last; one before the bounce. Aunt Naughty owns three seconds and a third from five starts; another minor award? Amenset has the benefit of the rail with short run to first turn.
SECOND: Snowy Evening, a game second in debut, is lone runner above AE line with experience; good race to pass. Souffle is training swiftly for potent first-out stable. Little Linzee concluded work tab with half-mile bullet; charting a must.
THIRD: Auburn Hills drops and gets favorable cutback in distance. Boldish will be in the catbird seat if top selection wilts in the stretch. Saratoga Pal owns two wins and a second in three starts at Saratoga; must consider.
FOURTH: Full Complement owns speed and could capitalize on unchallenged lead with aggressive ride. Compromiser took backward step on turf last time after deceptively strong effort on dirt in debut; very dangerous. Devil Boy packs potent late kick on best efforts; logical contender.
FIFTH: Shooger Ray Two makes third start of form cycle and logged career-best number in this race last summer. Lone Rock soundly defeated top selection last year but have lost a step this season. Original Intent is 2-for-2 at the distance; don't ignore.
SIXTH: Dancing Sophia was pace- and position-compromised when a willing third in last; more to come. Any Port is quick from gate and gets Lasix; very interesting. Investment Income hails from the Chad Brown barn; need more?
SEVENTH: Immortalization overcame swift splits when a front-running winner in last at Monmouth; ready for prime time. Evan Sing could be ideally positioned in the stalker's seat; worth long look. Ring of Fire, second in last, is 1-for-1 on Spa sod; likely to be undervalued.
EIGHTH: Thrill of It was freshened after delivering empty effort on Memorial Day; ready to fire on Thursday. Dangerous Edge is riding a two-race winning streak; razor-sharp and very playable. Son of an Ex could impact if pace meltdown ensues.
NINTH: Mud Pie consistently logs the field's fastest late-pace figures; handles marathon distance. Cold Hard Cash has positional speed and the benefit of the rail; dangerous. Balthus has won two straight for Chad Brown; right in the thick of this.
10TH: Sandrone is fleet-footed and gets class relief; call in wide-open nightcap. Lord Gatling is from a dam that has produced four turf winners; very playable. Cousin Andrew should be aided by turnback to abbreviated sprint. Uncle George owns solid late kick but needs to escape AE list; stay tuned to scratches.
