Steve Matthews' Saratoga selections for Thursday, July 25
Best bet: DANSE MACABRE (9)
Best value: KANNON FIRE (4)
FIRST: Lady Delilah is from a dam that has produced two turf winners. Young At Heart also owns grass breeding and is training sharply; charting a must. Miss C Banker should be aided by cutback to abbreviated sprint.
SECOND: R Funny Bizness owns fast late-pace figures. Condiment Girl drops in first start since claimed; fire sale? Mon Petit Chou is rested and logs competitive numbers on best efforts.
THIRD: Sacred Image was pace- and trip-compromised last time. High Stick has finished second in last two; another placing? Justdeny broke maiden at marathon distance last out; worth long look.
FOURTH: Kannon Fire gets favorable cutback in distance and makes third start of form cycle. Next On Stage moves to turf after crushing N2L rivals by 12 lengths last out; big-time threat. Elle Est Forte packs potent kick on best efforts.
FIFTH: Pletcher entry: Whiskey N Soda runs late on "A" game and mate Unlimitedpotential is fleet-footed; complementary coupling. Watch Hill regressed in last after clear-cut score in prior. Masterwork drops and owns fast back figures; don't ignore.
SIXTH: Dominican Thunder has experience edge in field with mostly newcomers. In the Chase is from a dam that has thrown three winners from three foals to race. Ark Royal concluded work tab with swift half-mile drill; follow the money.
SEVENTH: Talkin Pharoah is speedy and can win from on or just off the pace; call in wildly contentious dash. Kingdom also is quick from the gate and needed last; worth long look. Printrack, another that's fleet-footed, delivers strong efforts with machinelike consistency; right in the thick of this.
EIGHTH: Dolomite fits the classic Chad Brown profile; first-time Lasix seals the deal. La Banquera bounced in most recent start after fast-figured win in debut; rebound threat. Cruise to Catalina cruised to a nearly seven-length victory in first start; must be factored into the mix.
NINTH: Danse Macabre packs potent late wallop in field that's jammed with speed; bullet-riddled work tab is the clincher. Dontlookbackatall is riding a two-race winning streak and owns positional speed in bulky field. Kaufymaker fired 5-furlong bullet for first start in seven weeks; dangerous.
10TH: Miztertonic should find additional distance right in his wheelhouse; tight work tab seals the deal. Koru gets blinkers and makes first start with maiden-claiming tag; big-time player. Artful Dreamer also gets class relief and makes first start since gelded; price will be tempting. English Castle is another that drops and makes third start of form cycle; don't overlook.
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