Steve Matthews' Saratoga selections for Thursday, July 10
Best bet: ALLURING ANGEL (5)
Best value: POCA MUCHA (8)
FIRST: Sweet Anniversary is speedy and adds blinkers; controlling front-runner. Grace Reformed was a clear-cut second in last; dangerous. Purpose would be aided by pace meltdown.
SECOND: Alexis Zorba is fresh and training with a purpose; main speed. Devil in Disguise will be in the garden spot if top selection hits the wall. Korrongo makes third start of form cycle; don't ignore.
THIRD: Harlan's Bond should pack intensified kick with cutback to sprint. Bam's Bliss Kiss could play out as the dominant speed with return to dirt. Book of Wisdom drops and gets rider upgrade; must consider.
FOURTH: All Class drops and returns to dirt; forward move predicted. Equus gets confident two-level price hike in first start since claimed; very interesting. Always Angels is effective from on or off the lead; worth long look.
FIFTH: Alluring Angel, 1-for-1 on Spa sod, has the benefit of the rail and logs fast late-pace figures on best efforts. In Our Time is fleet-footed and could prove very tough on a soft lead. Deep Satin fires big efforts with machinelike consistency; right in the thick of this.
SIXTH: Delightful Darling, a strong second in debut, gets the nod if able to escape AE list. Cooperation is firing bullets at Fair Hill; could be ready at first asking. So It Begins is from a dam that has thrown three turf winners; must consider.
SEVENTH: Reality Star runs late and should be aided by today's additional furlong. Endorse displayed speed in debut and could capitalize on unchallenged lead. Absolute Honor flashed newfound early foot in last; price will be tempting.
EIGHTH: Poca Mucha should be aided by cutback to mile; call based on price. Spinning Colors is fleet-footed and 3-for-4 on Saratoga grass; big-time danger. Storm Miami exits determined score on Spa turf on Belmont Stakes week; must be factored into the mix.
NINTH: Problematica projects as the speed of the speed with heads-up handling. Killy Start could be in the catbird seat if pace duel develops. Looks First is another that would be aided by contested fractions.
10TH: Best Impression gets class relief and barn reaches for go-to rider; improvement predicted. Just Words is fresh and could be positioned in the stalker's seat; dangerous. Blue Eyed Scout owns speed and makes first start since claimed; worth long look. Rock Harbor is more than good enough on "A" efforts.
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