Steve Matthews' Saratoga selections for Saturday, July 26
Best bet: SAIL WITH THE WIND (6)
Best value: ON THE HILL (8)
FIRST: Gun It regressed in last after two straight wins; rebounds. Friar Laurence, another that bounced last time, gets much-needed class relief. Otto the Conqueror owns fast back numbers; must consider.
SECOND: Soldier N Diplomat was bought for $950K at a 2-year-old sale in March; could be the goods. Further Ado, another pricey juvenile ($550K), hails from Brad Cox barn; worth long look. Accost make first start for Chad Brown; charting a must.
THIRD: Broderick drops and returns to dirt; half-mile bullet last week seals the deal. Tarpaulin could be in the garden spot if pace meltdown ensues. Vigano is another that would be aided by fast fractions.
FOURTH: Arthur's Ride owns speed, fast figures and starts from the fence; likely short price is the problem. Strapped logged swift 5-furlong work since last start; dangerous. Film Star is a two-time winner on Spa loam; must consider.
FIFTH: Side Eye gets class relief and moves back to turf; set for best in third start of form cycle. Cousin Ed exits determined maiden score in last; dangerous. Nano Man tallied lone win on Spa sod; very interesting.
SIXTH: Sail With the Wind was pace- and trip-compromised last time; three works in the interim seal the deal. Bryant and Cooper overcame soft fractions when a determined maiden winner in last; very playable. Second Chance should be favorably placed near the front in bulky field; price will be tempting.
SEVENTH: Alpenglow ships in from South Florida to make debut for Jose D'Angelo; best guess in 10-horse field with nine newcomers. Immortalize is from a dam that has thrown a stakes winner; follow the money. Academia makes first start for Chad Brown; need more?
EIGHTH: On the Hill shows a history of firing big efforts off the bench; call based on price potential. Stewie is speedy and could play out as the dominant front-runner. Roofer, a last-race winner, also is fleet-footed and must be factored into the mix.
NINTH: Classic Q was a wire-to-wire winner in first start on Spa sod; main speed once again. Play With Fire, just a half-length behind top pick when second last out, could easily reverse that decision. Reining Flowers has the benefit of the rail and would be aided by pace collapse.
10TH: Sovereignty was rested after winning Belmont Stakes and Kentucky Derby; nice prep for Travers. Mo Plex is 2-for-2 at Saratoga and could prove tough on a soft lead. Baeza could impact if fractions get hot and hectic.
11TH: Off Script owns running style and pedigree that should play well on grass. Hello Beauty drilled three times since sharp third in last; big-time player. Tahila was a tough-trip fourth in last; don't overlook.
12TH: Fateful Lightning drops and gets favorable cutback in distance. Battle Drum owns three seconds from last four starts; another placing? Ski Bum could prove very tough on an unchallenged lead. Majorca makes first start since moving to Joe Sharp barn; don't dismiss.
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