Steve Matthews' Saratoga selections for Thursday, Aug. 4
Best bet: WHO ME (6)
Best value: R REPOSADO LOCA (10)
FIRST: Ocean Honey exits pop-and-stop effort in debut; tighter today. Girl Afraid has finished second as the favorite in both starts; burns more cash? Lady Quinn concluded work tab with 3-furlong bullet; follow the money.
SECOND: Factor That could play out as the controlling front-runner if able to escape AE list. Gustiamo owns turf breeding on both sides of pedigree. Cowichan owns a second and a third in two starts; logical, short-priced contender. Alluring Angel debuts for potent first-out barn.
THIRD: W W Fitzy fires strong efforts with machinelike consistency; price won't get pulse racing. Boston Post Road, another that's ultra-consistent, owns speed and hails from Chad Brown barn; be no surprise. Played Hard also is fleet-footed and owns a win at Saratoga; right in the thick of this.
FOURTH: Exfiltration is favorably drawn outside in chute and projects as the main speed with heads-up handling. Stormi Cat Lady looms the prime beneficiary if top selection wilts in the stretch. My Sweet Wife is 1-for-1 at Saratoga and also would be aided by pace meltdown.
FIFTH: Mistical Curlin was an improved fourth in first start over Spa loam; more to come. River of No Return has drilled twice since speed and fade in debut; forward move expected. One More Baby bounced last time after fast-figured placing in prior; rebound threat.
SIXTH: Who Me adds blinkers and gets early jump from the hedge with proper ride. New York Panther gets added ground after late-running second last time; a bit too obvious. Secretary of War (two works on Spa sod) and Fire King (from strong first-out barn) are two newcomers that must be factored into the mix.
SEVENTH: Hit the Woah is rested and packs potent kick on "A" game. Spicy Marg is quick from gate and can prove very tough on an unchallenged lead. Secret Time could be sitting in the catbird seat if fractions get hot and hectic.
EIGHTH: Bal Harbour makes first start since moving to the Todd Pletcher barn; rates call based on price. Mystic Night fits the quintessential Chad Brown pattern; paltry price is the problem. King Fury can close with a fury on his best efforts; very interesting.
NINTH: Maxwell Esquire makes first start since claimed by Mike Maker; needs scratch to escape AE list. Buy Land and See owns an ideal stalker's style; very dangerous. Good Governance is rested and packs potent late wallop; could easily take this. Clear Vision owns a win on Saratoga grass; don't ignore.
10TH: R Reposado Loca ships in from South Florida and lands in vulnerable group. Freedomofthepress is speedy and should be aided by cutback to abbreviated sprint. Mandy Green was a game second in last; big-time player. Mispelled Mooon fires big efforts with machinelike consistency; must consider.
