Steve Matthews' Saratoga selections for Thursday, Aug. 25
Best bet: DIRECT ORDER (5)
Best value: UNCLE GEORGE (10)
FIRST: Necromancer is fresh and owns field's fastest final figures. Supersonic logged speedy 5-furlong drill to conclude work tab; could be the goods. Naked and Famous drops and is firing bullets for the struggling Rudy Rodriguez barn; mixed message.
SECOND: Tell Me When, second in both starts, gets the nod if able to escape AE list in 16-horse field with 13 newcomers. Rocket City (training with a purpose), Lady Caraggio (from a dam that has thrown five turf winners) and Essaouira (bullet drills) are firsters that demand scrutiny if the money shows.
THIRD: Merci made menacing middle move and weakened last time; more to give in first start since claimed. Icarus compiled tight work tab for first start since June; dangerous. St. Joe Louis consistently delivers strong efforts; logical contender.
FOURTH: Ee Yah adds blinkers and projects as the main speed. Star Attitude could be the prime beneficiary if pace meltdown ensues. Enzo's World is from a dam that has produced four winners from four foals to race; very interesting.
FIFTH: Direct Order tallied swift late-pace figure when winning last; pairs up. Giocare makes first start since claimed by sputtering Rudy Rodriguez barn; demand value. Warrior in Chief is a front-end threat on best efforts; price will be tempting.
SIXTH: Creative Cairo was pace- and trip-compromised last time; handles marathon distances. Beside Herself can prove very tough on an unchallenged lead. Queen Bourbon regressed in last after determined win in prior; rebound threat.
SEVENTH: James Jones fits classic Chad Brown profile; rail draw seals the deal. Modern Science was a strong second in last at Colonial Downs; big-time contender. Dante's Fire consistently hits the board; must use in gimmicks.
EIGHTH: Alessia has trained strongly for first start since third in key-race debut at Keeneland this past April; Nick Zito finds winner's circle? Precursory is firing bullets for first start since the Fourth of July for streaking Bill Mott barn; very playable. Liquidity Provider was a game second in debut; Chad Brown underlay.
NINTH: Wonka must overcome tough post but is training consistently and could fall through the cracks in the wagering. Gina Romantica makes first turf start for Chad Brown; worth long look. Canisy is 1-for-1 on Spa sod; right in the thick of this.
10TH: Uncle George should pack intensified wallop at abbreviated sprint. Sandrone is fleet-footed and could play out as the controlling speed. Milano, from the resurrected David Jacobson stable, is firing bullets for first start since June; intriguing. Spettro drops and cuts back to sprint; must be factored into the mix.
