Steve Matthews' Saratoga selections for Saturday, Aug. 23
Best bet: THEN (2)
Best value: CHANCER McPATRICK (10)
FIRST: Bottas was bought for $300K this past April; bred to relish grass. Feral was a useful fourth in dirt debut; move to turf and added ground should play to strength. Quiet Power is from a dam that has thrown three grass winners; follow the money.
SECOND: Then overcame poor start to win last; takes another. Vesting is speedy and could prove tough on a soft lead. Beuys is rested and firing bullets; worth long look.
THIRD: Tam Tam concluded work tab with eye-catching 5-furlong drill; best guess in field of firsters. Glamorize, a $1 million yearling, debuts for Chad Brown; obviously could be the goods. Celebrity Quest is firing bullets for first start; charting a must.
FOURTH: Alzero regressed last time after game placing in prior; rebounds. Merica's Back owns three seconds from five starts; another placing? Keepinitreal has burned the chalk players in last three starts; short price once again.
FIFTH: Running Rio projects as the main speed with aggressive handling. Annascaul could be in the garden spot if top selection hits the wall. Marvelous Madison is another that would be aided if pace meltdown ensues.
SIXTH: Big Dom compiled swift work slate for debut; timid call in nine-horse field with eight newcomers. Stimulate concluded training tab with 5-furlong bullet; could be the goods. My World makes first start for Brad Cox; follow the money.
SEVENTH: Play With Fire has the rail on tight-turned turf course. Reining Flowers packs potent late kick and should offer playable price; very interesting. Scarlet Sands is riding a three-race winning streak; must consider.
EIGHTH: Gallant Greta was pace- and trip-compromised in last; tight work tab in the interim seals the deal. Sweet Anniversary owns speed and could prove tough on a soft lead. Summer Whirl logged only win on Spa sod; don't ignore.
NINTH: Leslie's Rose tallied sharp final fraction when winning last; pairs up. Thorpedo Anna needs no introduction but will offer prohibitive price; your move. Raging Sea could impact if fractions get hot and hectic.
10TH: Chancer McPatrick, a hard-charging winner at 9 furlongs last time, should pack intensified wallop with cutback to sprint. Verifire is fleet-footed and 3-for-3; litmus test today. Smoken Wicked was a clear-cut winner in last; must be factored into the mix.
11TH: Mystic Lake projects as the speed of the speed with heads-up handling. My Mane Squeeze can win from on or off the pace; big-time player. Majestic Oops could be in the garden spot if pace meltdown ensues.
12TH: Mullikin could secure clear lead in ultra-contentious Forego Stakes. Book'em Dano got the better of top selection when winning A G Vanderbilt last time; very dangerous. Crazy Mason could land in exotics at fat number.
13TH: Sovereignty adds another notch to his belt in Travers; potential Horse of the Year. Magnitude has speed and the fence; must consider. Strategic Focus is competitive on best effort.
14TH: Princess Summer tallied fast late-pace figure in last; needs to escape AE list. Catholic Edition endured rough trips in both starts; very playable. Dancin Jane is fresh and owns positional speed; dangerous. Professor Grace displayed improved early foot in last; worth long look. Fire Agate makes first start since claimed by Mike Maker; don't overlook.
More horse racing
