Steve Matthews' Saratoga selections for Thursday, Aug. 22
Best bet: KAVOD (8)
Best value: CAN'T FOOL ME (9)
FIRST: Miss Welch pressed swift splits when third in debut; tighter today. Vehemente ran into a 10-length winner when second at 55 cents on the dollar in debut; very dangerous. Stone Smuggler is from a dam that has produced five winners from five foals to race.
SECOND: Coppice, one of four uncoupled runners from Chad Brown barn in five-horse field, tallied fast late-pace figure when a tough-trip third in last. Gina Romantica bested top pick by nearly a length when third last time; must consider. Beaute Cachee could play out as the controlling speed.
THIRD: Glittering Lights should find 11-furlong distance right in her wheelhouse. In Time was a game second in last; worth long look. Sy B is fresh and training consistently; must consider.
FOURTH: Commerce Comet owns speed and is training swiftly for first start since February; ready. Briterdayzahead tallied front-running score in last; very playable. Saffa's Day exits clear-cut placing in last; must be factored into the mix.
FIFTH: Magnificent Mile tallied solid final fraction in last; class drop seals the deal. Three Zero returns to dirt and could get the early jump from cozy outside slot. Improbable Journey fired 5-furlong bullet for first start since claimed by Mike Maker; must consider.
SIXTH: Mezcalifornia moves to grass after improved third in last; 5-furlong bullet last week is the clincher. Bossy Dish displayed improved speed in last; very interesting. Someone hails from potent second-out stable; price will be tempting.
SEVENTH: Headline Numbers tallied impressive 11-length score in debut on Fourth of July; primed for return. Camera should move forward with return to dirt. Fade to Grey, an uncoupled stable mate of Camera, was a front-end maiden winner in last; could easily take another.
EIGHTH: Kavod has trained swiftly since hard-charging score in last; pairs up. Gun It is quick from gate and could prove very tough on unchallenged lead. Durante owns fast back numbers; don't ignore.
NINTH: Can't Fool Me was pace- and position-compromised in last; takes this with better setup. Im Just Kiddin was just a neck and a nose behind top pick last time; right in the thick of this. Solib exits sprints and should be favorably positioned near the front.
10TH: La Salvadorena should pack amplified wallop with cutback to abbreviated sprint. Blackfoot Daisy is rested, owns speed and gets Lasix; big-time front-end threat. Arrasou owns a second and two thirds from three starts; be no surprise. Biles has logged a series of swift works for debut; could be the goods.
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