Steve Matthews' Saratoga selections for Friday, Aug. 9
Best bet: NIMITZ CLASS (3)
Best value: ROI SOLEIL (7)
FIRST: Shade of Pale was second to a next-out winner last time; tight work tab seals the deal. Silvology is bred to handle switch to grass. Appellate makes third start of form cycle; must consider.
SECOND: Donegal Surges owns a win and two seconds in three starts on Saratoga loam; set for best. Drake's Passage also loves Spa surface (two wins from three starts); could easily take this. Maker's Candy owns speed and fast back numbers; worth long look.
THIRD: Nimitz Class is firing bullets for first start since May; big effort on tap. Power Seeker won by more than six lengths in first start at Saratoga; dangerous. Tabeguache should be favorably positioned near the front; right in the thick of this.
FOURTH: King of Comedy drops and has benefit of the rail at marathon distance. Yo Daddy consistently delivers strong efforts; worth long look. Addicted to You is riding a forward line on the numbers; don't ignore.
FIFTH: Point Clear regressed in last after fast-figured placing in debut; rebounds. Upstanding drilled twice since tough-trip third in first start; big-time threat. Daily Grind should pack enhanced kick with return to dirt.
SIXTH: Man of Mischief was a willing second in debut; needs scratches to get in. Vibrant Express (potent first-out sire) and Keepinitreal (Chad Brown) are newcomers that must be factored into the mix.
SEVENTH: Roi Soleil ships in for potent Canada-based barn; abundance of speed seals the deal. Works for Me exits clear-cut score on dirt in last; very dangerous. Cigarette Boat could be ideally positioned in the stalker's seat; right in the thick of this.
EIGHTH: Leeloo ships in from Keeneland after game placing at Big A in late June; owns win at Spa. Kant Hurry Love bested top pick by nearly a length in last; very dangerous. Cousin Kristi is front-running threat on best efforts.
NINTH: Tax Implications tallied fast late-pace figure when winning Monmouth stakes in most recent; more to come. Promiseher America owns speed and starts from the rail; very interesting. Malleymoo owns a favorable pace-pressing style; worth long look.
10TH: Boss Tweed projects as the speed of the speed with heads-up handling; half-mile bullet last week seals the deal. Heymackit'sjack was compromised by wide trip in last; dangerous. Ripe for Mischief could pack amplified kick with cutback to sprint. Kreesa could land in the exotics at juicy number; don't dismiss.
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