Steve Matthews' Saratoga selections for Friday, Sept. 2
Best bet: SECURITY CODE (6)
Best value: PROVEN STRATEGIES (8)
FIRST: Maggie T was a clear-cut second to a runaway winner in debut; experience edge is a key in 10-horse field with seven newcomers. Darknstormy has drilled four times since useful fourth in first start; dangerous. Boy Is She a Lady is training swiftly for debut; follow the money.
SECOND: Ellanation made sustained rally when second in restricted stakes at Laurel last time; nice fit at this level. Mail Order chased hot fractions last time; big-time player with softer flow. Let's Be Clear regressed in last after fast-figured win in prior; rebound threat.
THIRD: Most Wanted Man was compromised by wide trip in last; rates close call. Tiz a Giant defeated top selection by a half-length when second on Aug. 10; could easily take this. Good Medicine could get the lead by default in field that's light on speed.
FOURTH: Bustin Bay logged swift late-pace figure when an easy winner in last; pairs up. Thinking It Over is fresh and owns valuable positional speed; worth long look. Mosienko tallied fast numbers when winning last; right in the thick of this.
FIFTH: Blue Times is fleet-footed and projects as the dominant speed with a well-judged ride. Classic Colors could be sitting in the catbird seat if top selection wilts in the stretch. Control Function is a rested and consistently working runner from Chad Brown barn; obvious contender.
SIXTH: Security Code was a pole clear of third runner when second to a repeat winner in debut; more to come. Banterra bested a next-out victor when also second first out; dangerous. Stonewall Star debuts for potent first-out barn; charting a must.
SEVENTH: Tonal Impact owns fast final fractions and gets nod if able to escape AE list. Topic Changer gets class drop after enduring tough trip last time; very interesting. Bless Bless was done in by rough start in last; don't ignore. He's Got It displayed improved speed in last; worth long look from hedge.
EIGHTH: Proven Strategies looms the controlling speed with proper ride; just send, jock. Big Package packs big late kick and should be set for best in third start of form cycle; very playable. Thin White Duke is another that runs late; price will be tempting.
NINTH: Angitude could be ideally positioned in stalker's seat in Prioress Stakes with ample speed. Wicked Halo, 1-for-1 at Spa, arrives after winning two in a row at CD; dangerous. Smash Ticket is quick from gate and has top-notch, front-end rider aloft; don't dismiss.
10TH: Dreampoint logs field's fastest late-pace figures on best efforts. Conquist nearly stole on the front end when second at 20-1 last time; very playable. Media Sensation should move forward with return to turf. Curlin's Wisdom owns three seconds and four thirds from nine starts; underneath in exotics only.
