Steve Matthews' Saratoga selections for Friday, July 18
Best bet: STRICTLY TABOO (2)
Best value: SARATOGA SNOW (5)
FIRST: Going for Glory was a tough-trip fourth in last; call based on price potential. Lady Delilah makes first start with maiden-claiming tag; dangerous. Posse Rocks drops and could play out as the main speed.
SECOND: Strictly Taboo should pack intensified kick with cutback to shorter sprint. Shoot It True owns bulletlike speed; serious front-end threat. Army Gal moves to turf with fast dirt figures; proceed with caution at short price.
THIRD: Houlton owns fast late-pace figures and should be aided by today's additional furlong. Blown Cover exits sprints and could play out as the main speed on the rail; very interesting. Ranger Battalion wheels back in a hurry after winning second straight this past Saturday; dangerous.
FOURTH: Lady Meis was pace- and position-compromised last time; rider upgrade seals the deal. Grove City Sunset could find 11-furlong trip right in her wheelhouse. Mendee exits game placing at the distance; must be considered.
FIFTH: Saratoga Snow adds blinkers and should pack enhanced late wallop with cutback to shorter trip. Garden of Grace was freshened after clear-cut second in last; big-time player. Olivia's Grace also exits strong placing in most recent; right in the thick of this.
SIXTH: Sunday Boy owns win-early breeding on both sides of pedigree; best guess in field of newcomers. Party in the Army compiled swift work tab; charting a must. Arctic Beast cost $275K as a yearling and Cerro Rico ($230K) are well-heeled NY-breds; follow the money.
SEVENTH: General Jim owns sprinter's speed and could capitalize on clear lead with heads-up ride. I'm Very Busy drops and packs potent kick; will be in the garden spot if top selection is improperly handled. Big Everest is fleet-footed and could make life miserable for those who wager on General Jim.
EIGHTH: Malibu Beauty is riding a two-race winning streak and projects as the speed of the speed with Kendrick Carmouche aboard. Raging Sea will be raging with run in the stretch; very dangerous. Leslie's Rose disliked the slop last time; don't ignore on dry land.
NINTH: Thirteen Colonies never got going on muddy main track last time; big effort on tap with return to grass. Strate Cash lived up to heavy tote support when winning at 40 cents on the dollar in debut; dangerous. Simulate is right in the thick of this on best efforts.
10TH: Princess Summer drilled twice since improved placing in last; more to come. Artistic Success has finished second in last two; another placing? Graceful Warrior is riding a forward line on the numbers; price will be tempting. Saipan is another that was second in most recent; right in the thick of this.
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