Ranger Fox takes big step forward in $120K Better Talk Now
At 1h49, on August 29, 2021 • By SARATOGA
Eric Fein’s Ranger Fox will see two turns for the first time when he takes on a field of eight for Sunday’s seventh running of the $120,000 Better Talk Now, a one-mile inner turf event for sophomores who have not won a stakes race at one mile or over, at Saratoga Race Course.
Ranger Fox’s 5 ½-length maiden special weight romp on July 10 going seven furlongs at Belmont Park gave trainer John Terranova enough confidence to enter the colt at stakes level.
Ranger Fox made his debut on the main track in January at Aqueduct, where he finished a distant fifth to eventual graded stakes placed Crowded Trade.
“He’s a very talented colt,” Terranova said. “He’s a little bit late maturing and late developing but hopefully there’s room to go forward with him. He’s got speed. Obviously were going around two turns for the first time, so it’ll be a first for him. We’re looking forward to his racing career.”
Ranger Fox, a $310,000 acquisition at the 2019 Keeneland September Yearling Sale, is out of the Quality Road mare Xtra Spice, who is a daughter of the sensational sprint distaffer and 2001 Champion 3-Year-Old Filly Xtra Heat.
Jockey Joel Rosario has guided Ranger Fox in all three of his turf starts and will retain the mount from post 1.
