Steve Matthews' Saratoga selections for Sunday, Aug. 3
Best bet: DESPERATE PROPOSAL (9)
Best value: MERINGUE (4)
FIRST: Baron of Sealand is rested and drops; crisp half-mile work last week seals the deal. Solo Empire is speedy and can prove very tough on a soft lead. Stjames could impact if pace meltdown ensues.
SECOND: Two Ducks is from a dam that has thrown two turf winners and concluded work tab with half-mile bullet. Rare Eclipse also owns strong grass breeding; charting a must. B Raging On should improve in second career start.
THIRD: Hero's Medal should pack intensified wallop with cutback to sprint. Confabulation is quick from gate and makes first start since claimed by Linda Rice; worth long look. Ten Cent Town should move forward with return to dirt; don't ignore.
FOURTH: Meringue displayed sustained kick when winning debut; keeps on giving. Mythical logged dominant front-end scores in both starts; be no surprise. Iron Orchard lived up to heavy tote support when winning debut at 60 cents on the dollar; must be considered.
FIFTH: Hello Beauty was freshened after finishing third in two most recent starts; could offer best price of the contenders. Channel Check has the rail and hails from Chad Brown barn; big-time player. Time Stone logged fast numbers in both starts on Spa sod; right in the thick of this.
SIXTH: Louise Proctor tallied swift late-pace figure when wide in stateside debut; classic Chad Brown pattern. Vino Rouge owns speed and fast numbers; dangerous. Any Port was compromised by wide trip in last; can take this on "A" effort.
SEVENTH: Aggelos the Great was given four weeks to recover after top-figured placing in last; more to come. Vettriano is fleet-footed and can prove very tough on a soft lead. Midland Money ships in from SoCal for Bob Baffert; likely underlay.
EIGHTH: Bring Theband Home projects as the speed of the speed with aggressive handling. Twenty Six Black could be in the catbird seat if top selection hits the wall. Alogon is another that would be aided by pace meltdown.
NINTH: Desperate Proposal is riding a forward line on late-pace and final figures; breakthrough predicted. Gene and Jude is speedy and could capitalize on soft lead. Hamilton's Way was a game second in last; very dangerous.
10TH: Funny Joke regressed in last after clear-cut placing in prior; rebounds today. Gatsby fired two half-mile bullets for return from two-month freshener; very interesting. Camp David logged three 5-furlong drills last month; more than good enough on "A" game. Tetsu was a subpar sixth in last after a string of fast-figured efforts; don't ignore.
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