Steve Matthews' Saratoga selections for Monday, Sept. 5
Best bet: MINUTE WALTZ (10)
Best value: U GUYS ARE NO FUN (6)
FIRST: Souffle was a hard-charging second in debut; needs to escape AE list. Showemyourheels, also outside body of race, showed solid late kick in same race as top pick; stay tuned to scratches. Camp Akeela owns solid turf pedigree. Kara Para concluded work tab with half-mile bullet.
SECOND: Impressor hails from potent second-out stable (Steve Asmussen); improvement predicted. Blame It On Daddy was second to a runaway winner in debut; dangerous. Mr. Marlin was a useful third in same race; consider.
THIRD: Dynadrive is riding a two-race winning streak; keeps on giving. Ocala Dream owns competitive numbers on best efforts. Mouillage fits the classic Chad Brown pattern; obviously could take this.
FOURTH: Union Dolly made sustained run to break maiden in last; pairs up. Crosstalk could prove very tough on a soft lead. Crowding Out makes first start with claiming tag; be no surprise.
FIFTH: Spooky Road was claimed by Linda Rice after eight-length score in last; quick dividends. Aidanike could be ideally positioned in the stalker's seat; worth long look. Backyard Money should be aided by cutback and addition of Lasix.
SIXTH: U Guys Are No Fun owns turf breeding and logs fast late-pace figures; surface switch is key. Just Ok Is Not Ok owns positional speed; must consider. Whatlovelookslike owns a win, two seconds and a third from five starts; all the markings of an underlay.
SEVENTH: Nobilis owns win-early pedigree; swift works seal the deal. Ulumalu could improve with switch to dirt; very interesting. Arctic Arrogance has displayed ability in morning drills; must be factored into the mix.
EIGHTH: Portos gets class relief and turns back to more manageable distance. Night Ops could be the prime beneficiary if pace meltdown ensues. Pioneer Spirit owns speed and holds sharp current condition; must consider.
NINTH: Splendid Summer packs potent late kick and fired half-mile work last week; call in wide-open turf route. Digital Software got the better of top pick when winning by nearly two lengths on Aug. 7; obviously could take another. I Am the Law consistently delivers strong efforts; don't overlook.
10TH: Minute Waltz is fresh and fired crisp half-mile work for return; Phil Bauer barn is enjoying strong meeting. Big City Momma could be in the garden spot if pace meltdown ensues. Cocktail Moments is training swifty and logs fast figures on best efforts; very interesting.
11TH: Gulfport could get the early jump in compact Hopeful field. Bourbon Bash visually impressed when breaking maiden by an expanding eight lengths last time; very dangerous. Mo Strike has yet to taste defeat in two starts; right in the thick of this.
12TH: Cupid's Heart is training strongly for first start since November; ready to roll. Sue Ellen Mishkin crushed allowance rivals by nine lengths at Finger Lakes last time; very dangerous. Tosconova Beauty owns four wins from eight starts; big-time threat. Tellaperfecttale is speedy and rested; don't ignore.
