Steve Matthews' Saratoga selections for Sunday, Aug. 25
Best bet: CAPITAL SPENDING (11)
Best value: CALDWELL LUVS GOLD (8)
FIRST: Bellacose drilled three times since winning debut by 10 lengths; more to come. Accelerating took heavy tote support and then also won first start (4 1/2 lengths); dangerous. Central to Success is another that was heavily bet and drew away to impressive score in first outing; right in the thick of this.
SECOND: Annexperience is from a dam whose only foal to race was a stakes winner; best guess. Calling Card owns solid turf breeding on both sides of pedigree. Doomed makes first start for solid first-out barn; charting a must.
THIRD: Bourbon Chase compiled strong work tab for first start since February; ready. Elysian Meadows drops and returns to dirt; very playable. Daufuskie Island owns positional speed and makes third start of form cycle; must consider.
FOURTH: Spirit of St Louis owns eight wins and two seconds from 10 starts; race for watching only. Dakota Gold owns competitive numbers on best efforts; if you must play. City Man can impact on "A" races.
FIFTH: Pandagate tallied fast late-pace figure when winning last; takes another. Doc Sullivan was less than a length behind top pick when second at 95 cents on the dollar last time; obvious threat. B D Saints should improve with return to dirt.
SIXTH: Tahila was a useful third in debut; experience edge in field jammed with newcomers. Charlotte's Heart concluded work tab with swift half-mile drill. Perugia fired 3-furlong bullet in final workout; follow the money.
SEVENTH: Midnight Concerto tallied crisp final fraction when third in lone turf start; addition of Lasix seals the deal. Roagna should move forward in second start since two-month layoff. Busy Morning makes third start of form cycle; very interesting.
EIGHTH: Caldwell Luvs Gold tallied fast late-pace figure when winning last; pairs up. Landed could play out as the speed of the speed. Dolomite could be ideally positioned in the stalker's seat.
NINTH: Under Who's Radar was a front-end winner in first start; more to come. Mo Plex also owns speed and is 2-for-2; big-time threat. Mi Bago lived up to heavy tote support when a clear-cut winner in debut at Colonial Downs; right in the thick of this.
10TH: Moonage Daydream is fresh, owns speed and is training with a purpose. Silver Skillet also is fleet-footed and has won two in a row; very dangerous. Stonewall Star is another that's quick from gate and is from a dam that has produced two turf winners.
11TH: Capital Spending is riding a forward line on late-pace and final figures; winning effort on tap. Top of the Table owns positional speed in bulky field; worth long look. In All My Dreams is fresh and packs potent kick; dangerous. North End Lady has the benefit of the rail on tight-turned course; must consider.
