Steve Matthews' Saratoga selections for Sunday, July 24
Best bet: BOLD VICTORY (8)
Best value: PIVOTAL MISSION (10)
FIRST: Wasabi Boy was a change-of-pace second last time; breakthrough predicted. No Confession owns speed and will offer generous price; nice combination. Faithful and True ships in for debut after swift works at Keeneland; could be the goods.
SECOND: Once a Giant is fresh and training sharply; main speed with proper ride. Icon makes second start since claimed by Robertino Diodoro; dangerous. Amedeus Music should move forward with return to dirt; worth long look at long price.
THIRD: Storm Shooter projects as the swiftest of the swift with heads-up handling. Doctor Love drops and has trained swiftly since even fourth in last at CD; very playable. Raw Courage was a pace-pressing maiden winner in last; don't ignore.
FOURTH: King Angelo owns a win and a third in two starts on Saratoga turf. Shiraz could be in the garden spot if pace meltdown ensues. Phantom Smoke (owns two wins and a third from six starts) and Call Me Harry (third outing of form cycle) are two more contenders that must be factored into the mix.
FIFTH: Clairiere consistently logs field's fastest late-pace figures. Malathaat lost a head bob to top selection last time; could easily be the right one. Exotic West, 1-for-1 at the Spa, has the benefit of the rail.
SIXTH: Key of Life was a tough-trip third when 40 cents on the dollar in key-race debut. Watch This Munny was less than three lengths behind top pick when also making first start in second race on June 25 at CD; must consider. Rarify debuts for Wes Ward; charting a must.
SEVENTH: Love Tank could capitalize on soft lead in turf puzzler for 2-year-old fillies. Empress Isabel owns turf breeding but needs to escape AE list; stay tuned to scratches. Corningstone could find 1 1/16-mile trip right in her wheelhouse. Idea Generation makes first start for Chad Brown; need more?
EIGHTH: Bold Victory should pack intensified wallop with cutback to 7 furlongs. Swiftsure is swift from the gate and could prove very tough on an unchallenged lead. Kinetic Sky owns fast numbers on best efforts.
NINTH: Osiria was freshened after front-running maiden score on May 27; needs to hold inside position with aggressive handling. Tuscan Queen (lone win on Spa sod) and Nota Bene (rider upgrade) are late runners that could impact if top selection gets hooked on the lead. A Little Faith was a game second after nearly two-year layoff last time; regresses on Sunday?
10TH: Pivotal Mission gets Lasix after speed and fade tighter last out; forward move predicted. Drakon has drilled three times since keen third in last; dangerous. Good Medicine drops and turns back to more appropriate distance; big-time player. Emboite also gets class relief after regressing in last; bounce-back potential.
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