Steve Matthews' Saratoga selections for Wednesday, July 30
Best bet: FIFI LA FUME (9)
Best value: WHITE WHALE (5)
FIRST: Memento is speedy and could capitalize on unchallenged lead. Hidden Path could be in the garden spot if top selection wilts. St James the Great was prepped on the flat last out; worth long look.
SECOND: True Empress was a wire-to-wire winner at Finger Lakes last out; ready for prime time. Army Gal will be aided by cutback to 7 furlongs. Stone Smuggler owns two wins, a second and a third from four starts; right in the thick of this.
THIRD: Sunset Sizzle has trained sharply since close-up fifth in debut at Delaware; makes forward move. Laughing Lady returns to dirt and makes first start with maiden-claiming tag; dangerous. Chocolatechocolate logged two seconds and a third in last three starts; another minor award?
FOURTH: Summer Cause was a tough-trip fifth in Laurel stakes last time; nice fit with these. Bourbon Day owns fast figures and makes first start since claimed by Mike Maker; big-time player. Hush of a Storm owns a win and a second in two starts on Spa sod; must be factored into the mix.
FIFTH: White Whale logged five tight works for first start in seven weeks; ready. Fiddling Felix was a pole clear for second in last; logical contender. Noguchi moves to dirt in second start for Chad Brown; must consider.
SIXTH: Keto Drink was a useful third in debut; needs to escape AE list in 13-horse field with nine newcomers. Actis is from a dam that has produced three stakes winners on turf; charting a must. Street Sue could play out as the main speed.
SEVENTH: Kigali was speed-sharpened in dirt sprint last time; dominant front-runner with proper ride. War Officer runs late and would benefit if top selection hits the wall. The Paddock Pastor is another that would be aided by pace meltdown.
EIGHTH: Caldwell Luvs Gold owns two wins on Saratoga soil; tight work tab seals the deal. Maggy's Palace was rested after last-to-first win on June 7; very interesting. Majestic Return could prove very tough on an unchallenged lead.
NINTH: Fifi La Fume drilled twice since tough-trip third in last; primed for breakthrough. Kyla's Kause gets Lasix and compiled solid work tab for first start since last fall; dangerous. Froghollowsummer (3-furlong bullet since last start) and Miss Uproar (wide trip in last) finished two, four, respectively, in same last race as top pick; both must be factored into the mix.
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