Steve Matthews' Saratoga selections for Wednesday, July 23
Best bet: TALKIN IN CURSIVE (5)
Best value: BRAGANZA (2)
FIRST: Proven Innocent was a determined winner over Spa fences on June 2; takes another. Kitten Around wheels back in a hurry after leaving the course in jump race last week; very interesting. Jimmy P was a 34-length winner over Spa hurdles last summer; must consider.
SECOND: Braganza owns fast late-pace figures on best efforts; sharp work tab for return seals the deal. Weigh the Risks owns speed and fast figures; very dangerous. Tough Street, an uncoupled barn mate of second pick, is more than good enough on "A" game.
THIRD: O P Firecracker gets confident price boost after clear-cut win in last; takes another. Good Skate owns speed, drops and starts from the fence; worth long look. Suerte also is quick from gate and rates a puncher's chance at a price.
FOURTH: Remi's Moon ships in for David Jacobson after front-end score at Ellis Park last out; pairs up. Roar Ready runs late and would be aided if top pick hits the wall. Muazarah owns bulletlike speed and could prove tough on a soft lead.
FIFTH: Talkin in Cursive tallied five-length score the first time she touched Spa dirt; more to come. Gone and Forgotten made sustained rally to win last; big-time player. Problematica bounced last out after front-running score in prior; rebound threat.
SIXTH: Mutaawid was a last-to-first winner in most recent; more to give. Rungius was less than four lengths behind top pick after chasing the fractions last time; very interesting. Catch a Wave (second in same last race as top pair) and Vesting (a last-race winner) are two more that must be factored into the mix.
SEVENTH: Looks First was a tough-trip second in last; call in ultra-contentious dash. Catchphrase could play out as the speed of the speed. Despo's Dream would benefit if fractions get hot and hectic.
EIGHTH: All Class returns to preferred footing and could be ideally positioned in the stalker's seat. Caress is speedy and rested; price will be tempting. The Big Calhouna is fleet-footed and owns fast final figures; be no surprise.
NINTH: Light Fantastic logged three tight works since useful fifth in debut; forward move predicted. King Puck was a willing second when favored in last; proceed with caution on runner that owns three placings from four starts. The Commish fired half-mile bullet since sharp this last out; must consider. Liberty Rising could be sitting on wake-up in first start since eight-week layoff; don't ignore.
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