Steve Matthews' Saratoga selections for Sunday, Aug. 10
Best bet: GOVERNOR SAM (9)
Best value: COINAGE (8)
FIRST: Chillax tallied fast final fraction when a clear-cut second in last; finally breaks through. Momentum Files has trained strongly since tough-trip third in last; dangerous. Worthy Charge makes second start for Chad Brown; must consider.
SECOND: Le Gris takes sizable drop and fired half-mile bullet on July 31; best if all is well. Solo Empire makes quick return and gets confident price boost after front-end second last week; very playable. Who's the King exits wire-to-wire score in last; right in the thick of this.
THIRD: Waralo is fresh and 2-for-2 on turf; takes another. Great Lilo is speedy and could prove very tough on a soft lead. Irish Gent makes first start with Lasix and first since gelded; dangerous.
FOURTH: Heeere's Johnny is from a dam that has produced a stakes winner on turf; best guess. Time to Strike could get the early jump in first start on grass. Epic Desire, another that makes first turf outing, was an improved second in last; must consider.
FIFTH: Essential Coffee was disqualified from nearly nine-length maiden score in debut; rights the wrong today. Memorized makes first start for Chad Brown after being bought for $900K as a yearling; could be the goods. So Vain compiled bullet-riddled work tab for debut; charting a must.
SIXTH: Spirit of the Law regressed in last outing after solid efforts in prior three; two works since most recent start seal the deal. Powered by Coal exits front-running placing in last; worth long look. Sunshine Dancer adds blinkers and drops into maiden claimer; wake-up potential.
SEVENTH: Valentine Gift worked three times since tough-trip fourth in last; forward move predicted. Moonlit Weekend needed last and drops; very interesting. My Two Sophia's fired 3-furlong bullet since game placing in last; right in the thick of this.
EIGHTH: Coinage is speedy, rested and compiled tight work tab; dominant front-runner. Slapintheface drops and packs potent kick on best efforts. American Grant is a last-race winner that could get overlooked in the wagering; don't ignore.
NINTH: Governor Sam upped record to 2-for-2 on Spa sod when taking Quick Call last time; more to come. Saturday Flirt hails from Wes Ward barn and owns three wins from four starts; big-time player. Ancient World owns sit-and-pounce running style; very interesting.
10TH: Waitlist bounced last time after a string of fast efforts; rebounds. Pandagate, 1-for-1 on Spa loam, is training strongly for first start since September; very playable. Classicist tallied fast late-pace figure when breaking maiden last out; dangerous. Tuscan Gold adds blinkers and starts from the rail; worth long look.
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