Steve Matthews' Saratoga selections for Sunday, July 20
Best Bet: STRIKER HAS DIAL (9)
Best Value: MOON GATE (8)
FIRST: The Taco Lady is rested and owns sprinter's speed; needs to be aggressively ridden from outside slot. Makes Sense could be the prime beneficiary if top selection hits the wall. Last Man Standing, an uncoupled barn mate of Makes Sense, is another that would be aided by pace meltdown.
SECOND: Tater Tot fired crisp half-mile bullet on Spa sod on Monday; surface switch is key. Panache could be ideally positioned in the stalker's seat. Regalton is from a barn that's profitable when moving runners to the grass.
THIRD: Then owns field's fastest late-pace figures on "A" efforts. Ramblin' Wreck fired half-mile bullet for return from more than five-month absence; dangerous. Be of Courage will be aided by cutback to more manageable distance.
FOURTH: Eliminate gets class relief and packs potent late kick on best races. Confabulation is speedy, rested and could play out as the controlling front-runner. Kigali should move forward with return to dirt.
FIFTH: Save Time tallied career-best number on Spa loam last summer; class drop seals the deal. Standoutsensation holds razor-sharp current condition but owns nine seconds from 21 starts; must take the good with the bad. Catherine Wheel has been no worse than third in all nine starts; must consider.
SIXTH: Miztertonic, 1-for-1 on Saratoga grass, was a willing second in last. Coach Case also won lone start on Spa turf; dangerous. Alan Turing is right in the thick of this on best efforts; price will be tempting.
SEVENTH: Belouni is rested, drops and shows a history of firing big efforts off the bench; rail draw seals the deal. Summer in Adriane is training with a purpose for first start since April; very playable. Fuerteventura was second in lone start on Saratoga turf; don't ignore.
EIGHTH: Moon Gate tallied front-end score the first time she touched Spa loam; takes another. Geez Eloise should pack amplified kick with cutback to 6 furlongs. Golden Irish is a front-running threat on best efforts; must consider.
NINTH: Striker Has Dial compiled sharp work tab for first start in 64 days; primed for big effort. Scylla makes third start of form cycle after clear-cut placing in last; very dangerous. Carmelina ships in for Butch Reid after winning two in a row at Parx; worth long look.
10TH: Miss Bourbon should pack intensified wallop with cutback to shorter sprint. Turriga is speedy and can prove very tough on a soft lead. Quick Power Nap could impact if pace meltdown ensues. Just Add Water is 1-for-1 on Spa grass; very interesting.
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