Steve Matthews’ Saratoga selections for Monday, Aug. 14
Best Bet: KEEPINGITQUIET (6); Best Value: ANNATHELA (7)
FIRST: Champagne Ruby won by nearly seven lengths when facing similar rivals on July 24; pairs up. Non Finisce Mai drops and owns fast figures on “A” game. Jemmabelle is competitive on best efforts.
SECOND: Spanker tallied solid late-pace figure on Spa sod last summer; call in weak maiden field. Schema moves to grass and makes third start of form cycle; dangerous. Vigor is speedy and can prove very tough on a soft lead.
THIRD: Baby Bear’s Soup was a “soft” winner in last and owns faster back numbers; more to come. Cinderela El Crome is fleet-footed and owns fast figures; dangerous. Killybegs Captain has trained sharply since swift-numbered maiden win on May 25; must be considered.
FOURTH: Snapper Sinclair logged better-than-it-looks final fraction in debut and switch to sod could play to strength. Pocket Book was a fast-figured second in debut on Gulfstream grass; logical, short-priced player. Scatjack debuts for streaking Jeremiah Englehart stable; follow the money.
FIFTH: Milaya returns to dirt and is riding a forward line on the numbers; rates close call. Novique was a clear-cut second to a runaway winner in last; more in the tank. Scatnap is rested and owns swift figures on best races.
SIXTH: Keepingitquiet logged three tight works since tallying rapid late-pace figure on June 8; more to give. Mollica is fleet-footed and starts from the hedge; big-time player. Any Questions makes first start since moving to Jeremiah Englehart barn; any questions?
SEVENTH: Annathela owns fast final fractions and makes turf debut; primed for breakthrough effort. Battlement has trained swiftly since top-figured second on June 18; very dangerous. Tizanillusion owns swift numbers and is firing bullets for first start in seven weeks; right in the thick of this.
EIGHTH: Jcs American Dream tallied rapid late-pace number when bested by a next-out winner last time; four tight works in the interim seals the deal. Flattermefabulous moves to dirt after front-running score on turf last time; speedy and dangerous. Literata drew off to 4-length win at Finger Lakes last out; more than good enough with similar effort.
NINTH: Musical America drops, gets favorable cutback in distance and has benefit of rail on tight-turned inner turf course. Snag is fresh and owns fast figures on “A” game. River of Dreams makes peak start of form cycle and owns solid back numbers; very interesting. Unexplained regressed in last after pairing up solid numbers in prior two starts; must be considered.
