Steve Matthews' Saratoga selections for Saturday, Aug. 24
Best bet: COSTA TERRA (4)
Best value: WORLD RECORD (12)
FIRST: Calling an Audible is fresh and owns fast late-pace figures. Geopolitics has been second as the favorite in all five starts; burns more cash? Empire Magic logged fast numbers in both starts.
SECOND: Crystal Quest drops after being pace-compromised last time. Green Light packs potent kick on best efforts. Donegal Momentum could capitalize on soft lead.
THIRD: Debate should find 11-furlong distance right in his wheelhouse. Lord Flintshire has the benefit of the rail on tight-turned course. Kerouac could play out as the main speed.
FOURTH: Costa Terra should pack amplified wallop with cutback to mile. Arro Smash owns sprinter's speed and could secure soft lead. Can't Hush This could be positioned in the stalker's seat.
FIFTH: Bring Theband Home compiled tight work tab for first start since March. Charging is fleet-footed and could get early jump with heads-up handling. Fauci makes third start of form cycle; could be sitting on wake-up.
SIXTH: Thunder Roll moves to grass after speed and fade in debut; improvement predicted. Papiamento could be in the garden spot if pace meltdown ensues. Bolt to Run and Zuniga are uncoupled newcomers from Chad Brown barn; you make the call.
SEVENTH: Tip Top Thomas outworked 232 rivals in final two drills; ready. Mizzou is another that's training swiftly; charting a must. C K Wonder was fourth in fast-figured debut; must consider.
EIGHTH: Whistler's Honor is riding a "healthy" line on the numbers. Clear Conscience consistently delivers strong efforts. Miracle Mike is more than good enough on best efforts.
NINTH: Measured Time was a clear-cut winner in stateside debut. Far Bridge logs fast late-pace figures on best efforts. Silver Knott is riding a three-race winning streak; right in the thick of this.
10TH: Chi Town Lady fired 5-furlong bullet since last start; set for best. Society could play out as the swiftest of the swift. Vahva logs fast final figures with machinelike consistency.
11TH: Cagliostro has trained impressively for first start in 55 days. Twisted Ride owns three wins at today's 7-furlong distance. Mullikin is riding a three-race winning streak; must be factored into the mix.
12TH: World Record is 1-for-1 on Spa loam projects as the main speed. Prince of Monaco was compromised by rough start in last; very dangerous. Book'em Danno owns six wins and two seconds from eight starts; big-time threat.
13TH: Sierra Leone is set to fire big shot in contentious Travers. Thorpedo Anna tackles the boys and could prove very tough to collar from the rail. Fierceness bested top pick by a length in Jim Dandy; could easily take this.
14TH: Houlton was a fast-figured fourth in last; more to come. Always Be Smart will be the prime beneficiary if pace meltdown ensues. Treaty Obligation is right in the thick of this on best efforts. Storm Ready could break through with move to dirt.
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