Steve Matthews' Saratoga selections for Saturday, July 12
Best bet: PANACHE (12)
Best value: RANGER BATTALION (3)
FIRST: Curtain Call was second to a repeat winner in debut; call in six-horse field with four newcomers. Wise Words, the other experienced runner, also was second in first start. Tagermeen was bought for $1.4 million this past May; could be the goods.
SECOND: Spa Prospector came up short when favored in debut; tighter after two sharp 5-furlong works. Jetty's Home was a useful third in first start; dangerous. Atropa is training swiftly for first start; charting a must.
THIRD: Ranger Battalion was a determined maiden winner in last; more to come. Uncle Jim exits front-running score in most recent; big-time player. Art Fair also is speedy and could prove tough if able to shake clear.
FOURTH: Graywing was done in by poor getaway last out; two swift works in the interim seal the deal. Lost in Rome could in the garden spot if pace meltdown ensues. Ceepeegee fired half-mile bullet on the Fourth of July; don't ignore.
FIFTH: Daunt is rested and logged lifetime-best number on Spa sod. Magical Ways would be aided by fast fractions; worth long look. Clear Conscience owns two wins and a second from three starts on Saratoga grass; right in the thick of this.
SIXTH: Delightful Darling, a front-end second in debut, could play out as the main speed in with six firsters. Pulstar also was second in first start; be no surprise. Collective Beauty concluded work tab with 5-furlong bullet; follow the money.
SEVENTH: Quick to Accuse never got going on sloppy surface last time; dry land is key. Le Gris is rested and training with a purpose; very interesting. Malarchuk was a clear-cut second in last; must be factored into the mix.
EIGHTH: Webslinger packs potent kick on "A" efforts. Starting Over was a fast-figured third in last; big-time player. Far Bridge consistently delivers big efforts; must consider.
NINTH: Then was pace- and trip-compromised last time; gets there with cleaner journey. Common Defense is training swiftly for first start in nearly 16 months; dangerous if ready. Ramblin' Wreck packs strong late wallop on best races; price will be tempting.
10TH: General Partner tallied swift late-pace figure when winning last; pairs up. Runninsonofagun could be ideally positioned in the stalker's seat; very playable. Light Man should move forward in second start since seven-month absence; don't ignore.
11TH: She Feels Pretty is riding a four-race winning streak; keeps on giving. Be Your Best has won four of last five; speedy and dangerous. Lady Claypoole ships in from SoCal for Richard Baltas; right in the thick of this.
12TH: Panache is rested, training sharply and owns fast late-pace figures on best. Fast Market is fast from gate and could prove very tough on a soft lead. Gellhorn bested a next-out winner when second in debut; very interesting. Tater Tot moves to grass for Miguel Clement; don't overlook.
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