Steve Matthews' Saratoga selections for Sunday, Aug. 31
Best bet: OBEISSANTE (6)
Best value: HOULTON (8)
FIRST: Resurge sheds the blinkers and returns to dirt; forward move predicted. Endorse could prove very tough on a soft lead. Ivory and Ebony would be aided by pace meltdown.
SECOND: Chummers was a clear-cut second in last; needs to escape AE list. Force, also outside body of race, could play out as the main speed. Twenty One Red debuts for George Weaver; could be the goods.
THIRD: Dilger should move forward in second start since three-month layoff. Echo Again tallied fast late-pace figure when second in last; very dangerous. Capital Idea logged three tight works since winning last; worth long look.
FOURTH: Maria Callas debuts for Chad Brown; charting a must in 16-horse field with 11 newcomers. Livin the Breeze is from a dam that has thrown a turf winner. Boomington owns grass breeding on both sides of pedigree.
FIFTH: Sierra Leone made last-to-first run to win Whitney; takes another. Highland Falls was just a length behind top pick last time; big-time player. Phileas Fogg could prove very tough on a soft lead.
SIXTH: Obeissante tallied fast final fraction when third in last; big effort on tap. Virgin Colada is fresh and gets class relief; dangerous. Sea To Sky gets Lasix for stateside debut; don't dismiss.
SEVENTH: All About You was a clear-cut second behind a runaway winner last out; gets there today. Paige Turner ships in from Kentucky for debut for Cherie DeVaux; very interesting. Celebrity Quest is training swiftly for first start; don't ignore.
EIGHTH: Houlton should pack intensified wallop with cutback to mile. Vettriano fired 5-furlong bullet since last start and owns fast back numbers. Protective logged only win on Spa loam.
NINTH: Royal Guard moves to turf after useful third in debut. Tacticality debuts for Chad Brown; follow the money. Spectacle concluded work tab with 5-furlong bullet; must consider.
10TH: Dancing Buck projects as the speed of the speed with Kendrick Carmouche aboard. Twenty Six Black could be the prime beneficiary if top selection hits the wall. Big Invasion is a three-time winner on Saratoga turf; worth long look.
11TH: Eighty Gold makes quick return and gets class relief; breakthrough predicted. Rout drops and moves to dirt; dangerous. Let's Get Weird displayed speed in debut; price will be tempting.
12TH: Navajo Warrior makes first start since moving to Saffie Joseph barn; has won four of last five starts. Gasoline was a fast-figured winner in last; dangerous. Hero Status logged determined score in last but left track in ambulance; mixed message.
13TH: Carolina Smokeshow should be aided by cutback to 7 furlongs. Handle On You could impact if pace meltdown ensues. Our Lady Peace gets confident price boost; don't overlook.
14TH: Wind Dancer makes third start of form cycle; breakthrough predicted. Blame It On K J was a clear-cut second in last; very playable. Hello Newman would be aided by fast fractions. Deemer makes first start with maiden-claiming tag; right in the thick of this.
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