Best bet: HOUSE UNITED (1)
Best value: SPOKEN BLUNTLY (12)
FIRST: House United should pack enhanced kick with cutback to mile. John Holleman entry: Fear of Union runs late and mate Zippy Mark owns sprinter’s speed; potent pairing. Airborne Elite consistently fires strong efforts; be no surprise.
SECOND: Victory Hall worked twice since clear-cut placing in debut; call in seven-horse field with five newcomers. Belloro was third in same race as top pick; strong second-out stable. Maxpower debuts for profitable first-out trainer.
THIRD: Alternate Reality turns back to distance of four of his six wins. Gun It owns sprinter’s speed and could capitalize on soft lead. Magnolia Midnight also is fleet-footed and drops; more than good enough on “A” game.
FOURTH: Tennessee Belle, second in lone start, is only member of field with experience. Sun Kiss concluded work tab with 3-furlong bullet; charting a must. Run Wild is another that ended training slate with swift drill; must be factored into the mix.
FIFTH: Outsource gets class relief and should be aided by added ground. Ambition was freshened after five-length score on June 28; very playable. Fuerteventura exits fast-figured placing in last; right in the thick of this.
SIXTH: Bibi Dahl was overmatched in Ascot stake last out; return to maiden ranks is key. In Her Glory made wide rally when second in debut; worth long look. Sadie Earp displayed speed in first start; don’t ignore.
SEVENTH: Supreme Good moves to main track for potent turf-to-dirt barn; timid call in another 2-year-old race that’s loaded with newcomers. It’s Our Time outworked 32 rivals in half-mile bullet on Aug. 9; could be the goods. Talkin (from a “blue hen” dam) and Renegade (bought for $975K as a yearling) are two more firsters that must be respected if the money shows.
EIGHTH: Cicciobello returns to more appropriate class level; needs “A” game to take this. Shared Success holds razor-sharp current condition; big-time player. Rock the Weekend could impact at fat ticket if pace meltdown ensues.
NINTH: Sandal’s Song was edged for third in Ascot stake last out; two sharp works at the Spa seal the deal. Bobrovsky moves to grass after 10-length maiden score in last; worth long look. Spirit of New York made sustained run to win debut; must consider.
10TH: La Cara projects as the main speed with heads-up handling. Good Cheer went down to defeat after seven straight wins when 30 cents on the dollar last time; short price once again. Nitrogen is right in the thick of this on best efforts.
11TH: Landman Friday packs potent kick on best and drops for local debut. Kid Kreesa is speedy and could prove tough on a soft lead. Assertiveness has the benefit of the rail and makes first start with claiming tag; very interesting.
12TH: Spoken Bluntly projects as the swiftest of the swift with Kendrick Carmouche aboard. Pay the Juice could be sitting in the garden spot if top selection hits the wall. Courtly Banker was a sharp second in last; very playable. On the Ledge regressed in last after clear-cut win in prior; rebound threat.
#Steve #Matthews #Saratoga #selections #Saturday #Aug
