Steve Matthews' Saratoga selections for Saturday, Aug. 27
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.
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