Steve Matthews' Saratoga selections for Thursday, Aug. 15

By Steve Matthewssteve.matthews@newsday.comAugust 10, 2024 11:44 pm

Best bet: MASTEROF THE TUNES (10)

Best value: ROMANTIC CHARMER (5)

FIRST: Man of Mischief was nearly 10 lengths clear of third finisher when second in debut; experience is key in nine-horse field with seven newcomers. Vibrant Express owns win-early breeding on both sides of pedigree. Keepinitreal debuts for Chad Brown; need more?

SECOND: Nolo Contesto was an improved second in last; more to come. Rithm Nic makes first start for high-percentage barn after front-end score last time; very dangerous. Scuttlebuzz drops and owns fast back figures; worth long look.

THIRD: Daily Grind drilled three times since last start; forward move predicted. Upstanding was a fast-figured third in debut; big-time player. Prairie Dunes packs potent late kick on best efforts.

FOURTH: Geebert should find mile trip right in his wheelhouse. Classic Mark owns speed and makes first start since claimed by Joe Sharp; very playable. Ministerial is training swiftly for first start in 50 days; worth long look.

FIFTH: Romantic Charmer logged improved internal numbers in last; breakthrough predicted. Concorde Spirit was a useful third in first start; very interesting. Call Bob could prove very tough on a soft lead.

SIXTH: She's Got Will debuts for potent trainer-jockey tandem; best guess in field loaded with well-bred newcomers. Dr Glick and Competitive Market are uncoupled first-timers from Chad Brown barn; flip a coin. Wonderland, an uncoupled barn mate of top pick, is from a dam that has produced two turf winners.

SEVENTH: Ez Roll regressed in last after hard-charging third in prior; rebounds. B D Saints makes third start of form cycle; improvement expected. Elysian Meadows endured tough trip in lone turf start; worth; long look.

EIGHTH: Cooke Creek was freshened for seven weeks after winning two in a row; picks up where he left off. Tabeguache owns positional speed and is training swiftly; dangerous. Nimitz Class owns fast back numbers; don't ignore.

NINTH: New York Scrappy sheds the blinkers after displaying newfound speed in last; crisp 5-furlong work in the interim seals the deal. Ferris Muler packs solid late kick on "A" efforts; price will be tempting. Amplitude debuts for Chad Brown-Flavien Prat duo; dangerous.

10TH: Masterof the Tunes was compromised by wide trip in last; call based on price potential. Strictly Taboo is 2-for-2 on Spa sod; could easily take another. Daughter of Time owns a win and three thirds from four starts; exotics inclusion. Riley Jean would be aided by pace meltdown; don't overlook.