Steve Matthews' Saratoga selections for Wednesday, Aug. 27
Best bet: MUGATU (7)
Best value: CLANCY FANCY (3)
FIRST: Hidden Path was a clear-cut winner over Spa fences on July 30; pairs up. Jimmy P won this race by 34 lengths last summer; history repeats? The Insider could play out as the controlling speed.
SECOND: Minorinconvenience broke maiden by an expanding 10 lengths last out; keeps on giving. Toga Twist logged five works since hard-fought win in debut; dangerous. Fourth and One compiled strong training tab for debut; could be the goods.
THIRD: Clancy Fancy was a close-up fourth in key race last out; potent trainer-jockey combo. I'm Wide Awake is speedy and could prove very tough on a soft lead. Russi logged both wins on Spa sod; don't ignore.
FOURTH: Irwin has been idle since last October but hails from solid layoff barn; ready. Tut's Revenge owns speed and drops; worth long look. Belouni was a winner at this level in last; be no surprise.
FIFTH: Irrelevant drops, adds blinkers and moves to dirt; improvement predicted. Fiddling Felix was done in by wide trip in last; big-time player. Discotheque bested "Felix" by more than a length when second on July 30; right in the thick of this.
SIXTH: Reteko was freshened for two months after last start and logged fast final fraction when returning from similar layoff this past winter. Noguchi owns sprinter's speed and moves to grass for Chad Brown; very playable. The Hero Code gets the meds after regressing in most recent; rebound potential at a price.
SEVENTH: Mugatu bounced in last after hard-charging win in prior; four tight works since last start seal the deal. R A Hill Stable entry: Baron of Sealand owns positional speed and mate Freedom Trail runs late; complementary coupling. Solo Empire was second in last two and should be aided by cutback to mile; must consider.
EIGHTH: Vernon Valley is rested and move to turf for Mark Casse; crisp half-mile drill on Spa sod is the clincher. Time to Dream overcame slow fractions when a clear-cut maiden winner in debut; very dangerous. Devilish Grin has finished second in both starts; must be factored into the mix.
NINTH: Imminent Risk was a tough-trip third in debut; must escape AE list. Winrooski, also outside the body of the race, could prove very tough on a soft lead. Revel Toast was a game second when making first start on dirt; grass shouldn't be a hinderance. Honor the Numbers concluded work tab with crisp half-mile; charting a must. American Mink and Miss Call are two more newcomers that demand attention if money shows.
