Steve Matthews' Saratoga selections for Sunday, Sept. 4
Best bet: AMERICAN ROCKETTE (11)
Best value: VAHVA (6)
FIRST: Nobilis has displayed flashes of ability in morning drills; best guess in opener with 10 newcomers. Bobby the Tank moves to turf for Chad Brown after even fourth in debut. Curly Larry and Mo could play out as the controlling speed.
SECOND: Greeley and Ben is rested and owns favorable stalker's style. Happy Farm was a fast-figured winner at this price on July 20; be no surprise. Hero Tiger could be in the garden spot if pace meltdown ensues.
THIRD: State Crown was a determined winner on Presque Isle Downs' all-weather surface last time; handles grass, too. Adelaide Miss could play out as the speed of the speed; worth long look. Blue Atlas packs solid kick on best efforts; right in the thick of this.
FOURTH: Willy Mc ships in after clear-cut victory at Monmouth last week; more to come. Critical Threat fired half-mile bullet after even third in last; very playable. Cousteau plunges in price after voided claim on July 4; damaged goods?
FIFTH: Golquist should possess intensified wallop with cutback to abbreviated sprint. Courageoous Oh La is speedy and will offer juicy ticket; oh la la. Sheriff Bianco could be ideally positioned in the stalker's seat.
SIXTH: Vahva was a tough-trip fifth in debut; three works in the interim seal the deal. Take Charge Briana could be the prime beneficiary if fractions get hot and hectic. Renegade Rebel, a $700K purchase this past April, could take forward step in second start; don't ignore.
SEVENTH: Free Look closed into hot final fraction when third in debut; more to come. Freydis the Red was less than a length behind top pick in July 31 debut; dangerous. Selenaia debuts for potent first-out barn; follow the money.
EIGHTH: Mystic Eyes gets the meds for first dirt start and looms the speed of the speed with heads-up ride. Boston Post Road logged swift late-pace figure when losing a head bob for top honors last time; short price is the drawback. Dealing Justice is fleet-footed and drops; don't dismiss.
NINTH: Catch That Party made furious rally en route to convincing score last out; takes another. Citizen K should be advantageously positioned near the front in field that's light on speed. Frank's Art has delivered strong efforts in both starts; must consider.
10TH: Succulent was pace- and trip-compromised when a strong second in last; gets there today. La Victoria was just a neck behind top pick on Aug. 11 after doing the dirty work up front; big-time player. Arisaema is fresh and owns competitive numbers on best efforts.
11TH: American Rockette visually impressed when winning debut on July 21; four tight works in the interim seal the deal. Just Cindy returns from Keeneland base after winning Schuylerville on opening day; very dangerous. Wonder Wheel has yet to taste defeat in two starts; right in the thick of this.
12TH: Dorothy's the Boss drops and makes third start of form cycle; now or never. Michael Dubb entry: Tough Street is speedy and mate Jet Set Juliet was a game second in last; potent pairing. Lemme Get It gets class relief and moves to dirt; must consider. Darn That Song regressed in last after solid third in prior; rebound potential.
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