Steve Matthews

Best Bet RANGER FOX (7); Best Value: MAJORITY PARTNER (3) 
 FIRST: Track Mate was a two-move sixth in turf debut; move to dirt is key. Didinger was second at 80 cents on the dollar in debut at Parx; obvious sort. Game Warden debuts for streaking Bill Mott barn; could be the goods. 
 SECOND: Alexis Zorba was a front-end second in last; more to give in third start of form cycle. Highland Lord owns turf breeding on both sides of pedigree; very playable. Take Me to Jimmy makes first start for Chad Brown; enough said. 
 THIRD: Majority Partner logged fast late-pace figure when winning last; pairs up. On the Hill was a wire-to-wire victor in last; big-time contender. Great Workout regressed in last after fast-figured score in previous start; rebound threat. 
 FOURTH: Our Flash Drive logged clear-cut win in first start on Spa sod; takes another. Lemista won Grade 3 Matchmaker at Monmouth last out; very dangerous. Fluffy Socks was just half-length behind Lemista last time; right in the thick of this. 
 FIFTH: Cody's Wish is fresh and should pack intensified wallop at 7 furlongs. Jacks Warrior piles up the wins with shocking ease but will offer puny price; no thanks. Kneedeepinsnow could impact if pace meltdown ensues. 
 SIXTH: Life Changer projects as the main speed with heads-up handling. Leddy could be ideally positioned in the stalker's seat. Swift Tap was a game second in last; must consider. 
 SEVENTH: Ranger Fox, a front-running winner in last, should get the early jump once again. Maxwell Esquire will be in the garden spot if pace meltdown ensues. Comedy Town was a tough-trip second at this level last time; worth long look. 
 EIGHTH: Actuator bested a next-out winner when taking Indiana Derby in most recent; ready for prime time. Jack Christopher failed to get job done when third at 70 cents on the dollar in Haskell; unplayable price once again. Gunite logged swift internal and final figures when winning Amsterdam last out; right in the thick of this. 
 NINTH: Clairiere tallied rapid final fraction when winning Shuvee last time; keeps on giving. Letruska can prove to be a very tough customer when allowed a soft lead; big-time player. Search Results is the obligatory overbet Chad Brown entrant; not how we play the game. 
 TENTH: Soldier Rising get litmus test after determined win versus high-priced claimers in last; up to the task. Channel Marker is fresh and a big-time, front-end threat on best efforts. Gufo could be in the garden spot if fractions get hot and hectic. 
 ELEVENTH: Epicenter notched sizzling late-pace figure when winning Jim Dandy; call in Travers for watching only. Zandon was second to Epicenter in &quot;Dandy&quot; and could easily reverse decision on best. Early Voting called it a day early when fourth behind top pair last time; speed must be respected, however. 
 TWELFTH: Fuoco made menacing middle move but came up short in the lane last time; tighter today. Feathers Road could be in the catbird seat if pace meltdown comes to pass. Heymackit'sjack was a game second in same last race as top pair; right in the thick of this. 
 THIRTEENTH: Salimah visually impressed when winning key-race debut at Tampa this past winter; more to come. A Little Faith delivers strong efforts with machine-like consistency; dangerous. Miss Tapirado is rested and owns fast numbers on best efforts; very interesting. Wicked Groove was pace and trip compromised last time; don't overlook.

Best Bet RANGER FOX (7); Best Value: MAJORITY PARTNER (3) FIRST: Track Mate was a two-move sixth in turf debut; move to dirt is key. Didinger was second at 80 cents on the dollar in debut at Parx; obvious sort. Game Warden debuts for streaking Bill Mott barn; could be the goods. SECOND: Alexis Zorba was a front-end second in last; more to give in third start of form cycle. Highland Lord owns turf breeding on both sides of pedigree; very playable. Take Me to Jimmy makes first start for Chad Brown; enough said. THIRD: Majority Partner logged fast late-pace figure when winning last; pairs up. On the Hill was a wire-to-wire victor in last; big-time contender. Great Workout regressed in last after fast-figured score in previous start; rebound threat. FOURTH: Our Flash Drive logged clear-cut win in first start on Spa sod; takes another. Lemista won Grade 3 Matchmaker at Monmouth last out; very dangerous. Fluffy Socks was just half-length behind Lemista last time; right in the thick of this. FIFTH: Cody's Wish is fresh and should pack intensified wallop at 7 furlongs. Jacks Warrior piles up the wins with shocking ease but will offer puny price; no thanks. Kneedeepinsnow could impact if pace meltdown ensues. SIXTH: Life Changer projects as the main speed with heads-up handling. Leddy could be ideally positioned in the stalker's seat. Swift Tap was a game second in last; must consider. SEVENTH: Ranger Fox, a front-running winner in last, should get the early jump once again. Maxwell Esquire will be in the garden spot if pace meltdown ensues. Comedy Town was a tough-trip second at this level last time; worth long look. EIGHTH: Actuator bested a next-out winner when taking Indiana Derby in most recent; ready for prime time. Jack Christopher failed to get job done when third at 70 cents on the dollar in Haskell; unplayable price once again. Gunite logged swift internal and final figures when winning Amsterdam last out; right in the thick of this. NINTH: Clairiere tallied rapid final fraction when winning Shuvee last time; keeps on giving. Letruska can prove to be a very tough customer when allowed a soft lead; big-time player. Search Results is the obligatory overbet Chad Brown entrant; not how we play the game. TENTH: Soldier Rising get litmus test after determined win versus high-priced claimers in last; up to the task. Channel Marker is fresh and a big-time, front-end threat on best efforts. Gufo could be in the garden spot if fractions get hot and hectic. ELEVENTH: Epicenter notched sizzling late-pace figure when winning Jim Dandy; call in Travers for watching only. Zandon was second to Epicenter in "Dandy" and could easily reverse decision on best. Early Voting called it a day early when fourth behind top pair last time; speed must be respected, however. TWELFTH: Fuoco made menacing middle move but came up short in the lane last time; tighter today. Feathers Road could be in the catbird seat if pace meltdown comes to pass. Heymackit'sjack was a game second in same last race as top pair; right in the thick of this. THIRTEENTH: Salimah visually impressed when winning key-race debut at Tampa this past winter; more to come. A Little Faith delivers strong efforts with machine-like consistency; dangerous. Miss Tapirado is rested and owns fast numbers on best efforts; very interesting. Wicked Groove was pace and trip compromised last time; don't overlook.

Sports

Horse Racing

spentries220827

Steve Matthews' Saratoga selections for Saturday, Aug. 27

onecms:c6a0652a-4da7-4f78-b21b-996ab7ee0eec

Newsday

Steve Matthews' Saratoga selections for Aug. 27

More horse racing

horse racing article rail

Saffie Osborne has become the first female jockey to win a British Classic horse race while riding Highwayman in the St Leger at Doncaster.

Saffie Osborne makes history as first female jockey to win a British Classic

Steve Matthews' Saratoga selections for Sept. 2-6

Marc Forgione will oversee the menus for Belmont Park's Turf Club Restaurant, Turf Club Lounge, Homestretch Market and Big Red's Sports Bar.

NYRA names 'The Next Iron Chef' winner from LI as Belmont Park's signature chef

Race track to re-open Sept. 18 after a three-year close for redevelopment

Belmont Park announces ticket plans for re-opening

Steve Matthews' Saratoga picks for Aug. 26-29

Knightsbridge won the $1 million Pacific Classic at Del Mar, pulling away by 6 1/4 lengths.

Knightsbridge pulls away to win the $1M Pacific Classic by 6 1/4 lengths

A surprise result in one of Britain's most prestigious horse races saw the world's top-ranked thoroughbred Ombudsman finish just fourth behind 10-1 winner Item.

More horse racing

Stay logged in.