Steve Matthews' Saratoga selections for Sunday, July 27
Best bet: CAPITAL IDEA (9)
Best value: RIVER TAY (8)
FIRST: Linda Rice entry: Coquito, a wire-to-wire winner in last, and mate Whistler's Style runs late; potent pairing. Our Liberty Belle also closes and would be aided by pace meltdown. Colonial Rose logged two works over the track after clear-cut score at Churchill Downs last time; worth long look.
SECOND: Backstretch Rose is training with a purpose for first start since March. Five to Two owns sprinter's speed; very interesting. Teca regressed in last after determined win in prior; rebound threat.
THIRD: Chalky White holds experience edge in 11-horse field with nine newcomers. Visible concluded work tab with crisp half-mile drill; charting a must. Olivetti debuts for Chad Brown; is it really that easy?
FOURTH: Just Licorice overcame soft fractions to win first start on Spa loam; more to come. Art Fair is fleet-footed and could prove very tough to catch on a clear lead. Handsome Pants displayed newfound speed in last; very interesting.
FIFTH: Wind Dancer wheels back in eight days after useful fourth in last; forward move predicted. Sunshine Dancer adds blinkers and makes first start with maiden-claiming tag; worth long look. Powered by Coal could benefit from slight cutback in distance.
SIXTH: Inonit is training sharply at Fair Hill base; first-time Lasix is the clincher. Mission Hill moves to main track for potent turf-to-dirt barn. Twohonestmischief is fresh and owns solid numbers; dangerous. Alzero was second in last; likely underlay.
SEVENTH: La Mehana tallied swift late-pace figure when winning last; more to come. Long Ago owns two wins and a third from last four starts; worth long look. Belleza compiled four tight works for first start in seven weeks; don't overlook.
EIGHTH: River Tay should pack amplified wallop with cutback to sprint; big effort on tap. Alpine Giant was rested for a month after hard-fought win in last; recovered and ready. Speed of Sound was a winner in key-race debut in spring '24; very playable.
NINTH: Capital Idea compiled eye-catching work tab for first start since last fall; primed. Magnolia Midnight could prove very tough on an unchallenged lead. Warrior Richard hails from white-hot Joe Sharp barn and logs fast figures on "A" efforts.
10TH: Elko County should be sitting on big effort in first start since March. Atomic Age gets Lasix and fits Chad Brown's signature pattern; very dangerous. Free Spin was victimized by wide trip in last; don't dismiss. Iron Sight makes first grass start for Brown; must be factored into the mix.
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