Steve Matthews' Saratoga selections for Monday, Sept. 1
Best bet: LOW KEY (7)
Best value: AYE EYE (9)
FIRST: Rockies Balboa debuts for barn that's won with four runners from seven starters this meet; more to come. Epic Quest was purchased for $1 million this past March; must respect. Oscar's Hope, the only experienced runner in field, was second as the favorite in first start; obvious player.
SECOND: Barb projects as the main speed with proper ride. Duration could be in the garden spot if top selection hits the wall. Voulezvous is from a dam that has produced three winners from three foals to race; follow the money.
THIRD: Alittlebitnaughty tallied improved late-pace figure in last; gets job done today. New York Scrappy is firing bullets for first start since last fall; dangerous. Trinity River, an uncoupled barn mate of top pick, makes first start with maiden-claiming tag.
FOURTH: Master Freud is rested and owns speed; wire to wire. Desperate Proposal regressed last out after game placing in prior; rebound threat. Lachaise and Dreamlike are late runners that would be aided by fast fractions.
FIFTH: Tomorrow's Wish was a much-improved second in last; more to give. Volt was compromised by wide trip in most recent; worth long look. Last Man Standing takes suspicious price plunge in first start since claimed; fire sale?
SIXTH: Raynham Hall has experience edge in field of mostly newcomers. Arinata logged eye-catching half-mile drill from gate on Aug. 16; charting a must. Island Charm compiled solid work slate at Fair Hill training base; stay tuned to the tote.
SEVENTH: Low Key notched swift final fraction when winning lone start on Spa loam; pairs up. Meursault was freshened by Chad Brown after front-running score on June 15; big-time threat. Next On Stage owns speed and has Kendrick Carmouche in the saddle; very interesting.
EIGHTH: Curlin's Angel tallied fast late-pace figures in both starts; keeps on giving. Big Beautiful is fleet-footed and could prove very tough on a soft lead. Louise Proctor was a willing second in last; be no surprise.
NINTH: Aye Eye overcame rough start when a last-to-first winner in debut; price will be on your side. Buetane ships in from Del Mar for Bob Baffert after impressive win in debut; very dangerous. Romeo is quick from gate and could play out as the speed of the speed.
10TH: Siesta Key fired 5-furlong bullet since better-than-it-looks third in last; forward move predicted. Mi Bago is speedy and looms a big-time front-end threat. Asbury Park logged four tight works since last start; must be factored into the mix.
11TH: Say Yes To Dreams made sustained run when fourth in debut; sitting on winning effort. Divine Rose, second in debut last fall, compiled strong work tab for return. Loveontheleftbank makes stateside debut for Miguel Clement; don't ignore. Twolatebabydoll owns a second and three thirds from five starts; right in the thick of this.
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