Steve Matthews' Saratoga selections for Sunday, Aug. 24
Best bet: ON THE HILL (3)
Best value: KALAHARI DREAMS (6)
FIRST: Off Script tallied fast late-pace figure when second in lone turf start; more to come. Hello Beauty was an even fifth in first start since two-month layoff; dangerous. Sassetti was less than two lengths behind top pick last out; worth long look.
SECOND: Miss Bourbon was done in by wide trip last time; class drop seals the deal. Parade Ring was a clear-cut maiden winner in last; big-time player. Likely Perspective is speedy and must be factored into the mix.
THIRD: On the Hill could get ideal front-end setup at a playable price. Roofer regressed in last after fast-figured win in prior; rebound threat. Uncle George returns to the big leagues after wiring a field at Finger Lakes; don't ignore.
FOURTH: Sacaya took backward step in last after better-than-it-looks fifth two starts back; class relief clinches it. Fleetingly packs potent late kick on best; likely underlay. Alimara, an uncoupled barn mate (Chad Brown) of second pick, makes third start of form cycle; be no surprise.
FIFTH: Lady Delilah should pack intensified wallop with cutback to sprint; must escape AE list. Purest Performance is another that turns back from a series of routes; price should be on your side. Gattatiz was freshened after subpar seventh on June 19; must consider.
SIXTH: Kalahari Dreams fell victim to a slow start in last; two crisp half-mile drills in the interim seal the deal. Gardiner owns three wins and three seconds from eight starts; paltry price is the problem. Singleminded was second to a runaway winner in last; logical.
SEVENTH: Pay the Bills adds blinkers after useful fourth in last; forward move predicted. Unlimited Spending drops and gets favorable cutback; likely to attract the bulk of the cash. Galatina was a game second in last at Delaware; nice fit with these.
EIGHTH: Bettrluckythangood was pace- and trip-compromised last out; rider change helps. Conman exits fast-figured score in most recent; very dangerous. Rhetorical has won three of four starts; if chalk is your game.
NINTH: Justthefactsjack could play out as the speed of the speed with heads-up handling. Senza Parole was sidelined after ultra-impressive score in debut last summer; big-time player. Paula's a Star consistently delivers strong efforts; must respect.
10TH: Beachwalker drops and turns back to 6 furlongs; enhanced wallop predicted. For Some Reason could prove very tough on an unchallenged lead. Macaw is riding a two-race winning streak; very interesting. Rithm Nic owns fast numbers but takes suspicious price plunge; mixed message.
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