Steve Matthews' Saratoga selections for Saturday, Aug. 30
Best bet: GRITTINESS (8)
Best value: SOUPER CALIBER (6)
FIRST: Waitin'onasunnyday was a clear-cut second to a repeat winner in debut; takes next step. Imagine John adds blinkers after finishing third in same last race as top pick; worth long look. Neigh Baby was a useful third in first start; don't ignore.
SECOND: Jack's World tallied solid late-pace figure when fourth in debut; needs to escape AE list. Honoree, also outside body of race, bested top pick by nearly three lengths last time; must consider. Twirling Lad adds blinkers and could play out as the main speed. Diliello owns a second and a third from two starts; be no surprise.
THIRD: Runaway Joke has logged runaway victories in seven straight starts; notches another. What's Up Bro is riding a two-race winning streak. Braciole could be in the garden spot if top pair hook on the lead.
FOURTH: Bonus Move was a change-of-pace fourth in last; forward move predicted. Antares logs fast late-pace figures on best efforts. Twisted Filigree could prove very tough on a soft lead.
FIFTH: Scythian gets first-time Lasix for return from 10-month layoff; ready. Embraceable Gal fires sold efforts with machinelike consistency; dangerous. Tough Street plunges precipitously for Chad Brown; damaged goods?
SIXTH: Souper Caliber fired half-mile bullet since better-than-it-looks fifth in debut; forward move predicted. Stradale was a tough-trip third in first start; dangerous. Accost exits solid placing in debut; right in the thick of this.
SEVENTH: Flat Out Time has trained swiftly since tallying solid final fraction when winning at Delaware last time; ready for prime time. Rojo Rita could play out as the speed of the speed. Delightful Claire broke maiden by more than nine lengths last out; must be factored into the mix.
EIGHTH: Grittiness worked twice since tough-trip sixth in debut; improvement expected. Our Magical Moon should be aided by cutback in distance and surface switch. Akkadian makes first start for Chad Brown; charting a must.
NINTH: Mila Candy should pack intensified kick with turnback to sprint. Shoot It True was a clear-cut winner in first start on Spa sod; big-time threat. Dangherecomesshang, an uncoupled barn mate of second selection, also was a winner in lone outing on Saratoga grass.
10TH: La Mehana is riding a two-race winning streak; more to come. Be Your Best could prove best if allowed an unchallenged lead. Marksman Queen also is speedy and starts from the hedge; worth long look.
11TH: Ornellaia unleashed powerful late run to win debut; takes another. Mythical is speedy and 3-for-3; guaranteed underlay. Steer Clear was less than three lengths behind top pick when second in first start; don't ignore.
12TH: Speak Easy made middle move and faded in first start since four-month absence last time; tighter today. Surveillance was a clear-cut second in last; worth long look. Whatchatalkinabout never got going in the mud last time; dangerous on dry land.
13TH: Hold Out was done in by scorching splits last time; softer flow predicted. Debt Limit was compromised by rough start in last; big-time threat. Ramblin' Wreck would be aided by pace meltdown. Main Beach is another that would be aided by fast fractions.
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