Steve Matthews' Saratoga selections for Friday, Aug. 5
Best bet: SPYCRAFT (9)
Best value: MAMA RINA (2)
FIRST: Well Spent has fired two bullet works since decisive score at CD last out; pairs up. Customerexperience owns positional speed and fast back numbers; very playable. Towering Gaze wheels back in six days and will be aided by turnback in distance and return to dirt; very interesting.
SECOND: Mama Rina tallied crisp final fraction when a strong fourth in last at Ellis Park; first-time Lasix seals the deal. Laugh and Play has trained with a purpose since breaking maiden in May at Belmont; very dangerous in first start since claimed. Command Point owns competitive numbers on best efforts; must consider.
THIRD: Makart regressed in last after game placing in prior; rebounds. Capt' Remington has finished second in last two; be no surprise. Devil Or Angel gets helpful cutback in distance; right in the thick of this.
FOURTH: Magnetron was a determined winner in last at Finger Lakes; ready for prime time. Mr. Pete could be ideally positioned in the stalker's seat; worth long look. Jemography bounced last out after sharp second two starts back; very interesting.
FIFTH: Rheaume handles marathon distances and consistently logs fast late-pace figures. Good Measure was a strong second (albeit on dirt) at the distance last out; big-time player. Ballymore Star could prove very tough if allowed to crawl on the lead.
SIXTH: Stellar Lady, a clear-cut second in debut on dirt, owns turf breeding on both sides of pedigree. Love Tank was a much-improved second in last; developing and dangerous. She'll Never Know moves to grass after never threatening when 60 cents on the dollar in first start; burns more cash?
SEVENTH: Auburn Hills was done in by sizzling splits last time; softer flow with added ground. O Shea Can U See could be sitting in the garden spot if top selection wilts in the stretch. Handy is another that would benefit if pace meltdown comes to pass.
EIGHTH: Celestial City was compromised by wide trip in last; rates timid call in wide-open Hall of Fame Stakes. Chanceux could play out as the dominant speed on the hedge; very dangerous. Tiz the Bomb packs potent kick and owns fast figures on best efforts; don't ignore.
NINTH: Spycraft won two in a row at Canterbury and Horseshoe Indiana; gets hat trick on Spa sod. Yes and Yes is speedy and should be aided by cutback from mile. Golden Pal, 2-for-2 on Saratoga turf, also is fleet-footed but is likely to offer underlaid odds.
10TH: Roz makes peak start of form cycle after improved third in last; call in weak nightcap. Regal Rebel drops and goes turf to dirt; worth long look. Big Bean Christine beat top selection by more than eight lengths when second in last; could easily take this. Miss Malala could land in the exotics at fat number if fractions get fast and furious.
