Steve Matthews' Saratoga selections for Friday, July 14
Best bet: HILLIARD (10)
Best value: FIRST DEPUTY (7)
FIRST: Awesome Czech fired crisp half-mile breeze to conclude work tab; best guess in eight-horse field with seven newcomers. Concerti is another that intensified work tab as race day drew near; charting a must. Run for Your Honey, the only experienced runner, should improve with switch to dirt.
SECOND: Mount Craig compiled tight work tab for first start since May. Ride Up is riding a forward line on the numbers; dangerous. Dreamlike owns two seconds and a third from three starts; likely underlay.
THIRD: Royalty Interest was overmatched in Penn Oaks last time; drop to N1X allowance is key. Modern Love is from a dam that has produced three turf winners; very interesting. Venencia is an uncoupled barn mate of top selection; right in the thick of this.
FOURTH: Unsung Melody projects as the dominant speed with proper handling. Accede gets class relief and makes third start of form cycle; dangerous. Sacred Wish fired 5-furlong bullet since fast-figured second last time; big-time contender.
FIFTH: Scherzando should have enhanced kick with cutback to abbreviated sprint. Holla At Your Boy owns speed and gets Lasix; half-mile bullet last week adds to appeal. Street Rod concluded work tab with two bullet drills; follow the money.
SIXTH: Battle of Normandy is fresh and logs fast late-pace figures; notched only win on Spa sod. Blue Devil finished second in last two starts; runner-up again? Al's Rocket was pace- and trip-compromised last time; must be factored into the mix.
SEVENTH: First Deputy gets favorable turnback to 6 furlongs after being compromised by wide trip last time; quick return seals the deal. Heir Port is fleet-footed and could prove very tough on a soft lead. Printrack also is speedy and owns fast back figures; must consider.
EIGHTH: Happy Farm was done in by swift splits last time; return to rating tactics is key. Cees Get Degrees could play out as the speed of the speed; worth long look. Ram could be the prime beneficiary if pace meltdown ensues.
NINTH: Love Appeals could be ideally positioned in the stalker's seat in field that's top heavy with speed. Bosserati, one of the front-runners, is riding a three-race winning streak; dangerous. My Sweet Affair outworked 68 rivals in half-mile drill on Spa sod last week; very playable.
10TH: Hilliard logged fast final fraction when a hard-charging second in last; more to come. K P All Systems Go makes third start of form cycle; price will be tempting. Splendid Summer regressed in last after determined win in prior; bounce-back threat. Truebelieve owns sprinter's speed and rates a puncher's chance.
More horse racing
