Steve Matthews' Saratoga selections for Friday, Aug. 30
Best bet: DAYBRIGHT DELIGHTS (12)
Best value: LEFTEMBEHIND (3)
FIRST: Incanto is training sharply for first start since debut in May; experience is key in field of mostly newcomers. Gate to Wire outworked 262 rivals in final two drills; could be the goods. Tiz Dashing is another that's working strongly; charting a must.
SECOND: Scythian could play out as the main speed on the hedge. Iron Max looms the prime beneficiary if top selection hits the wall. Sounds Like a Plan concluded work tab with 5-furlong bullet; follow the money.
THIRD: Leftembehind tallied fast final fraction when winning last and fired crisp 5-furlong drill in the interim. Bossmakinbossmoves also won last and makes first start since claimed; dangerous. Cut the Cord packs potent kick on best efforts.
FOURTH: Bramito returns to dirt in first start since claimed by Linda Rice; fast back numbers. Show Time, another that makes first start for new barn, owns favorable stalker's style. Dillinger holds razor-sharp current form; right in the thick of this.
FIFTH: Backstretch Rose is riding a forward line on late-pace and final figures. Pitch Clock owns speed and drops; be no surprise. Miss Lao exits front-end maiden score; worth long look.
SIXTH: Yo Daddy returns to grass after dominant win in last; more to come. The Big Torpedo is riding a two-race winning streak but will offer short price; must take the good with the bad. West Hollywood logged determined score the first time he touched Spa sod; must be factored into the mix.
SEVENTH: Cantafio, a useful fourth in debut, gets call if able to escape AE list. Melle Mel, also outside the body of the race, was fourth when 85 cents on the dollar in debut. Blue Eyed Scout (solid first-out barn) and Very Cosmopolitan (strong debut sire) are newcomers that must be considered if money shows.
EIGHTH: Nonno Joe was a tough-trip seventh in debut; needs scratches to get in. Orie adds blinkers after non-stressful fourth in first start; dangerous. National Archive owns turf breeding on both sides of pedigree. Deemer compiled tight work tab for debut; don't overlook.
NINTH: Practically Summer displayed improved speed in last; gets nod if able to get in. Blakely's Wish adds blinkers after failing to deliver on heavy tote support in debut; improvement predicted. Off Script gets additional furlong after clear-cut placing in debut; takes next forward step.
10TH: That's Money failed to fire when favored in last; improvement predicted for new barn. Chileno is rested and owns fast figures; likely underlay. Catire Vizcaya was grossly overmatched in last; dangerous at this level.
11TH: Linarite gets wheeled back in a hurry after late-running third in last; finally breaks through. Tipsy Runner logged hard-charging score in first start on Spa grass; dangerous. Candi Girl owns positional speed; must be considered.
12TH: Daybright Delights compiled tight work tab for first start since June; starting from hedge seals the deal. Six Fortyfive drops back in with maidens after firing half-mile bullet on Aug. 23; very playable. Hard Par was a tough-trip third in last; worth long look. Kid Kreesa exits game placing in last; don't ignore.
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