Steve Matthews' Saratoga selections for Thursday, July 17
Best bet: PRINCE OF DANCE (2)
Best value: SKYLANDER (7)
FIRST: Rudy Rodriguez entry: Timaeus is fresh and drops and mate Flat On logged dominant score in first start on Spa loam. Lou should be aided by today's additional furlong. Bob John Ray packs solid late kick on best efforts.
SECOND: Prince of Dance moves to grass and barn is 2-for-2 in last 60 days when Joel Rosario is aboard. Annexperience owns two seconds and a third from three starts; logical contender. Before the Wind should benefit from cutback to mile; don't ignore.
THIRD: Outsource passed nine rivals when a last-to-first winner in lone start on Saratoga grass; takes another. Smooth Breeze also is 1-for-1 on Spa turf and holds sharp current form. Leon Blue was nipped at the wire by top selection on June 4; must consider.
FOURTH: Macaw notched rapid final fraction when winning last; more to come. Schlomo owns speed and gets class relief; dangerous. Arcadian, an uncoupled barn mate of top pick, is right in the thick of this on "A" efforts.
FIFTH: Aerate should move forward with return to dirt. Fiddling Felix makes first start with maiden-claiming tag; very interesting. Motel Patel is fleet-footed and drops; must be factored into the mix.
SIXTH: Hanna's Hideaway debuts for trainer who is 3-for-3 when reaching for jockey Jose Lezcano; best guess in field with 13 newcomers. Charlottesuniverse was bought for $400K as a yearling; follow the money. Bella Bello Banker and Ticket to Ride are the only members of this group to have started; experience counts.
SEVENTH: Skylander makes quick return and drops; packs potent kick on best races. Best Bet is fleet-footed and could prove very tough on a soft lead. Beachwalker failed to fire on sloppy surface last out; consider on dry land.
EIGHTH: Rocketeer owns sprinter's speed and fired crisp half-mile breeze since last start. Frizzante makes third start of form cycle; improvement expected. Dr. Kraft was a determined winner in last; don't overlook.
NINTH: Just for Luck tallied career-best late-pace figure in most recent; rail draw seals the deal. Enlighten is rested and could be ideally positioned in the stalker's seat. Java Buzz exits sprints and could play out as the controlling speed.
10TH: Film Academy should pack intensified wallop with cutback to sprint. The Craftsman gets Lasix, drops and moves to grass; very interesting. Hello Newman adds blinkers and makes first start with maiden-claiming tag; worth long look. Nyikos owns speed and must be factored into the mix if able to escape AE list.
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