Steve Matthews' Saratoga selections for Saturday, Aug. 2
Best bet: RAGTIME (10)
Best value: RESURGE (13)
FIRST: Blinging It Back returns to maiden ranks; proceed with caution in nine-horse field with seven newcomers. Tagermeen, the other experienced runner, was second in debut after being bought for $1.4 million this past April. Grittiness is training swiftly for first start; charting a must.
SECOND: A Million Dreams is from a dam that has thrown two turf winners. Orbit moves to grass for Mark Casse; speedy and dangerous. Signatory Man was a useful fourth in lone turf start; don't ignore.
THIRD: Obliteration obliterated both fields he met by a combined 17 1/2 lengths; more to come. Dazzle d'Oro set fast fractions when winning debut; dangerous. Ewing won first start by a dozen lengths; right in the thick of ultra-deep Saratoga Special.
FOURTH: Antares owns late-running style that should be well served in field with ample speed. Run Curtis Run is another that should be aided by likely pace dynamics. Clear the Air is fresh and barn is 2-for-2 in last 60 days with Dylan Davis aboard.
FIFTH: Delightful Claire was done in by hot pace in debut; solid work tab in the interim seals the deal. Contorted was a game second in last; logical. Metfardeh never made it to the races as a 2-year-old after being purchased for $2.3 million as a yearling; mixed message.
SIXTH: Ornellaia fetched $1.1 million at 2-year-old sale this past May; best guess in field of 11 firsters. Final Accord ships in from Ellis Park for debut; follow the money. Immaculate Moon is firing bullets for first start; one of the ones.
SEVENTH: Classic Legacy tallied swift late-pace figures in last two starts; call based on price potential. Hold My Bourbon owns speed and will be aided by cutback to 7 furlongs. Barksdale also is fleet-footed and rates a puncher's chance at fat odds.
EIGHTH: Lagynos has been compromised by slow fractions in last three starts; rates close call. Cugino has the benefit of the rail and is riding a two-race winning streak; very playable. My Boy Prince owns sprinter's speed and could capitalize on soft lead. Johannes is a multiple graded stakes winner that arrives from SoCal; likely underlay.
NINTH: Final Gambit dons blinkers after failing to fire in last; deserves another chance. New Century gets rider upgrade after being too close to the pace in last; dangerous. Test Score defeated top two selections when winning Belmont Derby in last; right in the thick of this.
10TH: Ragtime gets litmus test after starting career with two impressive wins; more to give. Echo Sound is 5-for-6 with one second; short price is the problem. Look Forward was a game second in lone start at Saratoga; don't overlook.
11TH: Fierceness, 3-for-4 at the Spa, could be ideally positioned in wildly competitive Whitney. Post Time owns fast late-pace figures on best efforts. White Abarrio is more than good enough on "A" game.
12TH: Likely Perspective sheds the blinkers and cuts back to sprint; amplified kick predicted. Granka set sizzling splits when winning lone start; price will be tempting. Tales of The Heart could impact if pace meltdown ensues.
13TH: Resurge has the benefit of the rail in first grass start. Say Yes To Dreams gets Lasix in stateside debut for Chad Brown; big-time threat. Just So Pretty could play out as the speed of the speed. Coastal Cabin debuts for potent first-out barn; must be factored into the mix.
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