Steve Matthews' Saratoga selections for Sunday, Aug. 14
Best bet: BETSY BLUE (8)
Best value: GLITTER UP (5)
FIRST: Deccan Prince turns back to abbreviated sprint after displaying improved speed in last. Star Attitude logged four works since debut; improvement expected. M. C. Double R also has trained consistently since last start; must consider.
SECOND: Towhead was an apparent front-end winner in race that was declared no contest; gets another shot. Conseillante debuts for Chad Brown and is from a dam that has produced four turf winners; obvious contender. Root Cause is another Brown newcomer that's uncoupled with second selection; what a game.
THIRD: Guns Blazing is riding a forward line on pace and final numbers. Big Q drops and returns to dirt; very dangerous. Prairie Fire drops in first start since claimed; damaged goods?
FOURTH: American Power drops after speed and fade in last; swiftest of the swift with aggressive ride. Cost Basis fired 5-furlong bullet for first start since April; short price is the problem. Ebben could be in the garden spot if pace meltdown ensues.
FIFTH: Glitter Up could hold a pace advantage in evenly matched group. Sixth Street adds blinkers and cuts back to sprint; very interesting. Libretto was empty in last but owns fast back numbers; mixed message. Mrs. Green lost a head bob for all the money last time; logical.
SIXTH: Chocolate Gelato was an even third when 55 cents on the dollar in debut; recoups losses? Interpolate is training with a purpose for debut for Chad Brown; need more? Upper Case, same name as a solid Lucien Lauren-trained runner from the early '70s, compiled strong work tab; must consider.
SEVENTH: Spungie could be ideally positioned in the stalker's seat with proper ride; hailing from white-hot Bill Mott barn seals the deal. Palace Gossip owns sprinter's speed and could prove very tough on a soft lead. Choose Happiness makes first start since claimed by Rudy Rodriguez; don't ignore.
EIGHTH: Betsy Blue was compromised by rough start when a fast-closing second in last; gets there today. Brattle House is fleet-footed and could easily take this field wire to wire. Honey Money packs potent late kick on best efforts; price will be tempting.
NINTH: Determined Kingdom ships in from Fair Hill Training Center after winning two in a row at mid-Atlantic tracks; ready for the big leagues. That's Right, a winner of three straight, is another mid-Atlantic shipper that must be given long look. Cadamosto and Editorial Comment both make stateside debuts; potential plays based on price.
10TH: Reckless Spirit was a game second in key race last time; rates close call. Brazillionaire is speedy and has won two straight; very playable. Doctor Love moves to grass after eased-up win in last; dangerous. F F Rocket is competitive on "A" efforts.
