Steve Matthews' Saratoga selections for Friday, Aug. 19
Best bet: LADY FIREFOOT (2)
Best value: JUDGE JUDITH (9)
FIRST: Cheeky Tico bounced last time after fast-figured placing in prior; rebounds. Strong Light could be in the garden if pace meltdown comes to pass. North Pole has finished third in last four starts; show dough again?
SECOND: Lady Firefoot was a non-stressful fourth in debut; added ground plays to strength. Gather the Facts fits the classic Chad Brown profile (fresh, sharp works; those are the facts). Diamond Status outworked 84 rivals in half-mile bullet this past Saturday; worth long look.
THIRD: The Reds fired two bullet drills since clear-cut second in last; more to come. Shooger Ray Two gets class relief and owns fast back numbers; very interesting. Galerio delivers strong efforts with machinelike consistency; right in the thick of this.
FOURTH: Indemnify tallied swift late-pace figure when second in debut; gets there today. Bali Riddim was an improved third at 73-1 last time; juicy-priced exotics inclusion. Whiskey Lullaby is fleet-footed and could prove very tough on a soft lead.
FIFTH: Joey Loose Lips projects as the main speed with aggressive rider aloft. Hang Tight will be ideally positioned if fractions get fast and furious. Perfect Silent Cal is another that would be aided by swift splits.
SIXTH: Secretary of War held evenly through rapid final fraction when third in debut; more to give. Provision bested top selection by slightly more than a length when second in first start; be no surprise. Master Sergeant adds blinkers and should be favorably positioned near the front in full field; don't ignore.
SEVENTH: Caironi was done in by slow start last time; forward move predicted. American Heroine owns speed and gets Lasix; worth long look. Osiria is fleet-footed and adds blinkers; big-time, front-end threat.
EIGHTH: Envoutante owns speed and is training sharply for first start since March; ready to deliver "A" effort. Exotic West owns fast back numbers and has worked strongly since last start; dangerous. Bonny South could impact if pace meltdown ensues.
NINTH: Judge Judith ships in after winning three in a row on three different turf courses; ready for prime time. Hatari overcame slow splits when a clear-cut winner in last; could easily take another. Mirth 'n Merriment could prove very tough to collar on an unchallenged lead.
10TH: Noble Huntsman drew off to good-looking score in debut on Spa sod on July 27; passes litmus test. No Nay Hudson is from a dam that has produced two turf winners; worth long look. Oxymore powered away to impressive win in debut at Belmont in July; big-time contender. Cadillac Candy could be ideally placed in the stalker's seat; don't dismiss.
