Michael Cannon
Money Train
30 Dime
Spurs
5 Dime
Pirates
Orioles
Trev Rogers
Yankees/BlueJays Over 10.5
Charlie Sports
nba. san antonio @ utah over 190' (500*)
nba. san antonio-1 (30*)
mlb. milwaukee-135 (20*)
mlb. toronto+130 (20*)
mlb. cubs-150 (10*)
mlb. cincinnati+105 (10*) Bonus Play
Marc Lawrence
Indians at Red Sox
Prediction: Indians
The Indians take their heavy-hitting sticks to Fenway where they will give lefthander Cliff Lee (2-1, 5.93 ERA) the start. Lee is unbeaten in his career team starts in Beantown. With Curt Schilling (3-2, 3.94 ERA) currently in terrible form, look for the Indians to improve to 6-1 on Monday.
Lenny Del Genio
Mariners at Angels
Prediction: Angels
The Angels are coming off a sweep of the New York Yankees in the Bronx and will try for their eighth straight home win over the Mariners. Los Angeles is 5-1 against Seattle this season. LA starter Bartolo Colon (5-1, 4.57 ERA) is 5-0 with a 2.20 ERA in his last six starts against Seattle, including 2-0 with a 2.57 ERA this season. The right-hander, who is 12-8 with a 4.15 ERA in 24 career starts against the Mariners, will try to bounce back from his first loss of the season. He allowed a season-high six runs and 10 hits in 4 1/3 innings in the Angels' 8-7 loss at Detroit on Wednesday. He will try to cool off the Mariners, who won 7-4 at Kansas City on Sunday to sweep the three-game series and improve to 5-2 on their current 10-game road trip. The Mariners will try to match a season high with a fourth straight win tonight. They are batting .369 with 38 runs scored and 59 hits in their last four games. Miguel Batista (4-4, 5.61) goes for Seattle. The right-hander avoided a third straight loss when he allowed one run and seven hits in six innings to beat Tampa Bay 5-1 on Wednesday. He is 2-3 with a 6.75 ERA in nine appearances (four starts) against Los Angeles and was roughed up by the Angels last month. Batista allowed six runs and 10 hits in six innings of an 8-4 loss at Los Angeles on April 20. The Angels went 4-2 on their road trip last week and enter tonight's game having won 14 of their last 18 games overall and with a 17-6 home mark this season. Take the Angels.
Jim Feist
Inner Circle
Blue Jays
Psychic Sports
MLB
1 unit St. Louis +137
2 unit Arizona +143
2 units Baltimore -118
3 units Texas +134
NBA
3 units San Antonio -1
3 units under 190.5
Dave Cokin
Take "(971) SEA Mariners"
Miguel Batista has actually been pretty good lately for the Mariners, and Seattle is on an offensive rampage right now. The Angels are also on fire, having just swept the Yankees. But this is a potential flat spot as they return home, the travel could be a factor as far as fatigue is concerned, and Bartolo Colon really hasn't been very sharp recently. I see the Mariners having excellent value here as they catch a big underdog price, so I'll go for the upset call with the M's."
Jim Feist
Take "(954) MIL Brewers"
Milwaukee goes with its ace, lefty Chris Capuano, who loves pitching at home. He's 3-1 at home this season where opponents are hitting only .234 off him. Atlanta is 1-3 the last 4 starts by Chuck James, walking 12 in 19 innings. The Brewers have been a dominant home team at 17-7. Play the Brewers!
Ben Burns
Annihilator
Brewers
Blue Chip
Under Twins/Whitesox
Monday Horse Racing Spot Picks
TRACK BANDIT PREVIEWS
METROPOLITAN H. (G1), 8TH-BEL, $600,000, 3YO/UP, 1M, 4:43 P.M. EDT, 5-28
PP HORSE TRAINER JOCKEY WT
1 LAWYER RON PLETCHER TODD A PRADO E S 119
2 HALF OURS PLETCHER TODD A VELAZQUEZ J R 117
3 MR. UMPHREY DUTROW RICHARD E RODRIGUEZ R R 113
4 SUN KING ZITO NICHOLAS P COA E M 118
5 SILVER WAGON DUTROW RICHARD E CASTELLANO J J 119
6 ACCOUNTFORTHEGOLD CONTESSA GARY C LUZZI M J 114
7 LATENT HEAT FRANKEL ROBERT J BEJARANO R 118
8 POLITICAL FORCE JERKENS H ALLEN VELASQUEZ CORNE 116
9 CORINTHIAN JERKENS JAMES A DESORMEAUX K J 117
10 SILENT NAME (JPN) MANDELLA GARY NAKATANI C S 117
An excellent field of 10 will square off in Monday's $600,000 Metropolitan Mile H. (G1) at Belmont, and the pace will likely be hot. There's plenty of quality speed in the line-up, and trainer Richard Dutrow has entered the "rabbit" MR. UMPHREY (Jules) to set up the late-running SILVER WAGON (Wagon Limit). We respect the latter's chances, but we'll give top billing to LATENT HEAT (Maria's Mon).
Trained by Bobby Frankel, Latent Heat wound up setting a wicked pace
21 3/5 and :44 1/5) in the Carter H. (G1) last out before fading to fourth, beaten 2 3/4 lengths by Silver Wagon, but he proved that he could rate when capturing the Malibu S. (G1) three starts back, earning a 104 BRIS Speed rating for the sharp two-length score. Rafael Bejarano, who will replace the departing Edgar Prado, won't make the same mistake chasing the pace here, and Latent Heat should sit a perfect stalking trip before offering his run. He's one-for-one at a mile, winning an allowance/optional claiming event at Belmont last September, and is the only multiple winner over the track (two-for-two at Belmont) in the field. Latent Heat prepared for this event with a six-furlong bullet work (fastest of 30) at Hollywood Park last week, and we expect a big performance.
Silver Wagon is winless in three attempts at a mile and in three previous efforts at Belmont, but we won't dismiss his win chances. The gray six-year-old has never been better, posting impressive wins in the Carter and General George Breeders' Cup H. (G2) in his last two outings, and he figures to be rolling late on Memorial Day. He's earned BRIS Late Pace ratings as high as 113 -- in addition to Speed figures reaching 109 in recent outings -- and appears to be training well, drilling a half-mile in a bullet :47 4/5 (best of 10) at Aqueduct last week. Jockey Javier Castellano sticks with the millionaire over CORINTHIAN (Pulpit), and Silver Wagon will attempt to provide Dutrow, who scored last year with Silver Train, with consecutive Met Mile trophies.
LAWYER RON (Langfuhr) owns plenty of natural speed, but he's really relaxed well, just off the pace, in both starts this year and looms as a very dangerous contender who will be rallying from midpack. Prado will guide the Todd Pletcher trainee, and the chestnut four-year-old exits an excellent triumph in the Oaklawn H. (G2), earning a 108 Speed rating for the four-length decision. Prior to that, Lawyer Ron improved his mark to three-for-three at a mile with a facile allowance/optional claiming victory at Gulfstream Park. He's never raced over "Big Sandy," but Lawyer Ron is a definite contender for it all in his Belmont debut.
HALF OURS (Unbridled's Song), who will race uncoupled with stablemate Lawyer Ron, suffered his first setback (five-for-six overall) when finishing second in the Alysheba S. (G3) last out. That start came around two turns, and the gray four-year-old will cut back to a more favorable distance. He notched a career-best 106 Speed rating when capturing a one-mile allowance/optional claiming test at Gulfstream earlier this year, and proved very game when taking the Richter Scale Breeders' Cup Sprint Championship H. (G2) two back. This represents a serious class check, but Half Ours has a lot of talent. Consider for the exotics.
SUN KING (Charismatic) is another one to consider for part. The Nick Zito charge just missed when second by a head in this event last year, but this is a much more talented and deep field this year. The multiple Grade 2 winner proved his class, however, when finishing second by a nose to Invasor (Arg) (Candy Stripes) in the Whitney H. (G1), and Sun King received a good tune-up for this race, finishing third (placed second via disqualification) following a rough trip in the stretch of his seasonal bow, the May 2 Westchester H. (G3). Sun King is eligible to improve off his last with a top showing.
SILENT NAME (Jpn) (Sunday Silence) opened this year with a solid third in the Frank E. Kilroe Mile H. (G1) on the turf, and he really impressed when switching to the Polytrack at Keeneland in the Commonwealth Breeders' Cup S. (G2) last out, taking the event by four lengths in front-running style over a surface that wasn't conducive to early speed. The five-year-old posted a whopping 113 Speed rating, but we're not sure how he'll handle his dirt debut. We're inclined to just watch and see, but Silent Name does merit respect based upon his last showing.
Corinthian is capable of outperforming our expectations, but he needs to prove himself outside of Florida before we'll back him. The four-year-old colt has been a terrific performer at Gulfstream, opening 2007 with a smashing allowance/optional claiming score before taking the Gulfstream Park H. (G2), but he faltered badly when finishing fifth in the Excelsior Breeders' Cup H. (G3) last out. The James Jerkens trainee does have an excuse for that effort, but he also performed badly at Saratoga last summer. A mile might not be the perfect fit either, so we'll go against.
POLITICAL FORCE (Unbridled's Song) will be running late for Allen Jerkens, but the multiple stakes-placed runner will need to take a huge leap forward to be a factor in this tough spot. ACCOUNTFORTHEGOLD (Successful Appeal) has been a one-dimensional front runner in his last five outings, winning three times, but there's too much speed here for him to be effective. Note that trainer Gary Contessa has cross-entered him to Monday's $65,000 Frisk Me Now S. at Monmouth Park. Mr. Umphrey is going well presently, but he's overmatched in this race and figures to back up readily when the serious running starts.
TRACK BANDIT SELECTIONS: 1st-LATENT HEAT
2nd-SILVER WAGON
3rd-LAWYER RON
TRACK BANDIT PREVIEWS
SHOEMAKER BREEDERS' CUP MILE S. (G1), 7TH-HOL, $300,000, 3YO/UP, 1MT, 4:23 P.M. PDT, 5-28
PP HORSE TRAINER JOCKEY WT
1 RIGHT SPECIAL (BRZ) LOBO PAULO H BLANC B 124
2 CHARMO (FR) CANANI JULIO C PEDROZA M A 124
3 KIP DEVILLE DUTROW RICHARD E MIGLIORE R 124
4 BECRUX (ITY) DRYSDALE NEIL FLORES D R 124
5 WILLOW O WISP CERIN VLADIMIR TALAMO JOSEPH 124
6 THE TIN MAN MANDELLA RICHARD E ESPINOZA V 124
7 CHINESE DRAGON HESS R B JR SMITH M E 124
8 VEGA'S LORD (GER) DRYSDALE NEIL BAZE M C 124
9 GET FUNKY SADLER JOHN W VALDIVIA J JR 124
10 FAST AND FURIOUS (FR) MCANALLY RONALD SOLIS A 124
The $300,000 Shoemaker Breeders' Cup Mile S. (G1) on Hollywood Park's Memorial Day card features a contentious cast of 10 turf horses. KIP DEVILLE (Kipling) figures to be the favorite on the strength of consecutive scores in the Sir Beaufort S. (G3), Frank E. Kilroe Mile H. (G1) and Maker's Mark Mile S. (G2), but can he extend his winning streak to four in such a competitive division? THE TIN MAN (Affirmed) has plenty of appeal with his proven class, but the nine-year-old gelding may need the race after an eight-month vacation and is better going longer. With an overabundance of early speed on tap, the mile test should set up well for the deep closing CHINESE DRAGON (Stravinsky), who could prove to be an attractive overlay in the wagering.
Formerly based with Aidan O'Brien in Ireland, Chinese Dragon was sold at the conclusion of his juvenile campaign and transferred to Bob Hess Jr. The bay soon proved to be a shrewd purchase, winning five of six races as a three-year-old. Four of those victories came in stakes, including the 2005 Sir Beaufort. In early 2006, Chinese Dragon just missed by a head when third in the ultra-tough Kilroe, earning a 104 BRIS Speed rating, and then finished a creditable second in the Arcadia H. (G2). He was sidelined for an entire year but reappeared with a highly encouraging score in the April 28 San Francisco Mile S. (G2), where he rallied off a steady pace to get up by a nose over VEGA'S LORD (Ger) (Lord of Men). Chinese Dragon will likely move forward off that tightener, and he promises to come rolling late beneath a returning Mike Smith.
Kip Deville has struck top form since learning to rate just off the pace. The Richard Dutrow charge racked up his career-best 104 Speed rating in this year's Kilroe, when he got first run on the closers and just held on by a neck. He likewise stalked and pounced in the Maker's Mark Mile, outdueling the classy Showing Up (Strategic Mission). The gray figures to get a similar trip here with Richard Migliore in the irons.
The Tin Man was better than ever as an eight-year-old last season, crowning his campaign with front-running victories in the Arlington Million S. (G1) and Clement L. Hirsch Memorial Turf Championship S. (G1). The Richard Mandella veteran doesn't need the lead, and regular rider Victor Espinoza will probably settle him into a stalking spot behind the confirmed speed*****. Although The Tin Man has a respectable record at a mile (8-3-0-2), his better efforts have come at longer distances. We expect a solid performance in his reappearance that will set him up for other targets down the road.
WILLOW O WISP (Misnomer), the likely pacesetter, filled that role in last year's Shoemaker before fading to fourth. That pattern has held in his two subsequent outings, when he finished a retreating third in both the Arcadia and the Inglewood H. (G3) most recently. The Vladimir Cerin pupil is always brave on the front end, but with early pressure likely, the best he can realistically hope for is to hold on for a minor award.
The Neil Drysdale-trained Vega's Lord merits consideration after his sharp runner-up effort to Chinese Dragon at Golden Gate last time out, especially since he is eligible to show more in his second start off a layoff. On the other hand, he had the perfect trip in the San Francisco Mile and still couldn't hold off Chinese Dragon. The German-bred had decent form while running in his homeland and could be an exotics player, but we'd be surprised if he turned the tables on our top choice.
Drysdale's other runner, BECRUX (Ity) (Glen Jordan), is an enigma. At his best, the Woodbine Mile S. (Can-G1) winner is a serious threat. The bay gelding hasn't covered himself in glory in two previous outings at Hollywood, however, and he's exiting a tailed-off last in the San Francisco Mile. We won't be surprised if he rebounds here, but Becrux is an inconsistent type that we'd prefer to oppose. CHARMO (Fr) (Charnwood Forest [Ire]) was runner-up to the brilliant Aragorn (Ire) in this race a year ago, but the gray hasn't looked like the same horse since sustaining an injury that required surgery. After having every chance in the San Francisco Mile, he could do no better than third, and his task is considerably stiffer in this spot.
RIGHT SPECIAL (Brz) (Special Nash [Ire]) lined up in a deep allowance in his North American debut and promptly won. The bay could be another smart import for Paulo Lobo, but we'll give him a race at this level first. GET FUNKY (Straight Man) will probably press Willow O Wisp early before tiring late, as he did in the Inglewood. He was no match for Kip Deville in the Sir Beaufort, and he hasn't done anything in the interim to suggest a form reversal. FAST AND FURIOUS (Fr) (Singspiel [Ire]), who was overhauled by Right Special in that aforementioned allowance, isn't as sharp as he used to be.
TRACK BANDIT SELECTIONS: 1st-CHINESE DRAGON
2nd-KIP DEVILLE
3rd-THE TIN MAN
TRACK BANDIT PREVIEWS
GAMELY BREEDERS' CUP S. (G1), 9TH-HOL, $300,000, 3YO/UP, F/M, 1 1/8MT, 5:23 P.M. PDT, 5-28
PP HORSE TRAINER JOCKEY WT
1 PRICE TAG (GB) FRANKEL ROBERT J SOLIS A 123
2 THREE DEGREES (IRE) GALLAGHER PATRICK ESPINOZA V 117
3 CHARM THE GIANT (IRE) MCANALLY RONALD BAZE M C 117
4 CITRONNADE FRANKEL ROBERT J FLORES D R 119
5 SOHGOL (IRE) DRYSDALE NEIL BLANC B 117
6 VACARE CLEMENT CHRISTOPHE VALDIVIA J JR 123
A small but select field of six turf distaffers will go postward in the $300,000 Gamely Breeders' Cup S. (G1) at Hollywood Park on Monday. CITRONNADE (Lemon Drop Kid) has used her early speed as a lethal weapon so far this season, romping by three lengths in the San Gorgonio H. (G2) and by 5 1/4 lengths in the Santa Ana H. (G2) while racking up BRIS Speed ratings of 101 and 102, respectively. With no other front runner in the grassy 1 1/8-mile event, the Bobby Frankel-trained filly will once again play catch-me-if-you-can. The peaking Citronnade could prove very difficult to deny here beneath David Flores, and we'll tab her to avenge her lone career turf loss at the hands of VACARE (Lear Fan).
Vacare brings a perfect five-for-five mark into her California debut. Her most notable success came in the Queen Elizabeth II Invitational Challenge Cup S. (G1) at Keeneland last October, with Citronnade a never-threatening ninth. After that triumph, Vacare was sold for $2.8 million and transferred to Christophe Clement. In her 2007 bow for her new connections, she cruised to a one-length victory in the Magna Distaff S. at Gulfstream Park without ever coming out of second gear. Vacare has tactical speed herself, and new pilot Jose Valdivia Jr. will probably stalk right off Citronnade's flank. If Vacare can summon the triple-digit Late Pace ratings that she routinely posted last year, she may collar Citronnade and preserve her unbeaten status. As the 123-pound co-highweight, however, Vacare will be giving her most dangerous rival four pounds, and that could be the difference.
CHARM THE GIANT (Ire) (Giant's Causeway) is taking a considerable class hike, but she enters the Gamely in career-best form and deserves to take her chance. The Ron McAnally trainee uncorked impressive late kicks to land the Hillsborough H. and the Wilshire H. (G3) in her last two outings, registering Late Pace figures of 109 and 102, respectively. Although she won't get an honest pace up front, Charm the Giant could finish well enough to grab a share at a handsome price.
The Paddy Gallagher-trained THREE DEGREES (Ire) (Singspiel [Ire]) hasn't raced since the San Gorgonio at Santa Anita in January, when she rallied for third behind Citronnade. The confirmed closer won't be helped by the pace scenario, but she likes Hollywood (4-1-2-0). The last time she competed over the Inglewood, California, turf, Three Degrees flew home in the one-mile Matriarch S. (G1) and just failed to reel in PRICE TAG (GB) (Dansili [GB]) by a half-length. The extra furlong of the Gamely should work in favor of Three Degrees.
Conversely, Price Tag hasn't gone farther than a mile so far. Note that the Frankel filly was originally supposed to have run in the Churchill Distaff Turf Mile S. (G3) on Kentucky Derby Day, but she was scratched when the turf came up yielding. The Gamely appears to be a case of calling an audible for Price Tag. Considering that she's unproven at the trip, must tote the co-top weight of 123 pounds, and doesn't stand out on Speed figures, she may be an underlay in this spot.
Wilshire runner-up SOHGOL (Ire) (Singspiel [Ire]) was blown away by Charm the Giant last time out and would need to improve markedly to figure here.
TRACK BANDIT SELECTIONS: 1st-CITRONNADE
2nd-VACARE
3rd-CHARM THE GIANT (Ire)
TRACK BANDIT PREVIEWS
LONE STAR PARK H. (G3), 10TH-LS, $400,000, 3YO/UP, 1 1/16M, 5:47 P.M. CDT, 5-28
PP HORSE TRAINER JOCKEY WT
1 JONESBORO MORSE RANDY L BOREL C H 117
2 REAL DANDY ASMUSSEN STEVEN M QUINONEZ L S 114
3 BOB AND JOHN BAFFERT BOB GOMEZ G K 120
4 SILENT PLEASURE SCARBERRY HOWARD HEBERT T J 120
5 SWEETNORTHERNSAINT TROMBETTA MICHAEL J PINO M G 120
Only five are set to line up in Monday's $400,000 Lone Star Park H. (G3), the featured event on the track's Lone Star Million card. The 1 1/16-mile test is shaping up to be the grudge match between BOB AND JOHN (Seeking the Gold) and SILENT PLEASURE (Real Quiet), and we're going with the latter to defeat his rival again here.
Silent Pleasure first met Bob and John in the Texas Mile S. (G3) at Lone Star on April 28. The Howard Scarberry-trained four-year-old broke on top and led the field until the stretch, where he was headed by Bob and John. Silent Pleasure wasn't about to give up without a fight, though, and battled back to get the neck victory under Tracy Hebert, who returns to the saddle here. The dark bay colt earned a 102 BRIS Speed rating for his game score, which came just 16 days after he captured the Fifth Season S. at Oaklawn Park, where he earned a 104 Speed figure. In fact, the Texas Mile was Silent Pleasure's fourth consecutive stakes win, as he already took the Gulf Coast Classic S. and Delta Mile S. In the Gulf Coast, he had to contend with a muddy track, a likelihood for Memorial Day considering that thunderstorms have been soaking the area and aren't forecast to stop any time soon, giving us just one more reason to pick him on top.
Bob and John has also won a start in the sloppy going, that coming in his biggest win to date, the Wood Memorial (G1) last year. The Bob Baffert charge hasn't had any luck in returning to the winner's circle since, finishing well back in the Kentucky Derby (G1) and Belmont S. (G1) before getting a slight break. He ended his sophomore campaign with a game half-length second in the El Cajon S. at Del Mar in September, then wasn't seen again until making his four-year-old debut in the Texas Mile last out. The dark bay colt probably needed that race off the vacation, but still acquitted himself well and should move forward here. Bob and John will be looking for revenge on Monday and could be the one getting his picture taken under Garrett Gomez.
SWEETNORTHERNSAINT (Sweetsouthernsaint) could be the one who messes up what appears to be a match race. Conditioned by Michael Trombetta, the dark bay four-year-old made his return this year in January, finishing third by a length in the Hal's Hope H. (G3) at Gulfstream Park. Two races later he captured the Harrison E. Johnson Memorial H. at Laurel Park by four, front-running lengths, and was most recently second in the National Jockey Club H. (G3) at Hawthorne Park. The well-traveled gelding has posted nothing but triple-digit Speed ratings this year and has been working bullets at Laurel to prepare for this one. Though he'll be making his first start at Lone Star Park, Sweetnorthernsaint will be challenging for it all on the front end. Mario Pino returns to the saddle.
JONESBORO (Sefapiano) is also an early speed type, but doesn't appear fast enough to keep up with any three of our top picks. The chestnut five-year-old has been going well of late, taking the Essex H. (G3) at Oaklawn before running third in the Razorback Breeders' Cup H. (G3) and fourth in the Oaklawn H. (G2), but is likely just running for fourth-place money.
REAL DANDY (Yankee Victor) appears out of his class against these, but is guaranteed a share as the purse is paid out to fifth place.
TRACK BANDIT SELECTIONS: 1st-SILENT PLEASURE
2nd-BOB AND JOHN
3rd-SWEETNORTHERNSAINT
TRACK BANDIT PREVIEWS
DALLAS TURF CUP H. (G3), 7TH-LS, $200,000, 3YO/UP, 1 1/8MT, 4:23 P.M. CDT, 5-28
PP HORSE TRAINER JOCKEY WT
1 MAJOR RHYTHM BEAM EDWARD FIRES E 116
2 BREGO JACKSON BRUCE L TEJERA EGUARD 113
3 MORE THAN REGAL ASMUSSEN STEVEN M QUINONEZ L S 114
4 WAUPACA VON HEMEL DONNIE K HAMILTON Q 116
5 EMBOSSED (IRE) O'CALLAGHAN NIALL M GOMEZ G K 117
6 CRESTED (GB) DOLLASE WALLACE BRIDGMOHAN S X 115
7 TRIAL BY JURY JACKSON BRUCE L ERAMIA RICHARD 114
With the Grand Prairie, Texas, area being inundated with rain, Lone Star Park officials have taken all turf races since Thursday and switched them to the main track, which has been listed as sloppy, sealed for much of the week. The rain isn't expected to abate anytime soon, so we're going to look for some value in the $200,000 Dallas Turf Cup H. (G3) on Monday and pick a runner who prefers extremely yielding and/or sloppy conditions.
MORE THAN REGAL (More Than Ready) owns only two starts on the turf, but both came at Lone Star Park over yielding conditions. The last of those two came on May 12, when the four-year-old rallied from near the back of a 7 1/2-furlong allowance to take fourth. More Than Regal, winner of three Derbies last year including the Prairie Meadows and Iowa Derby, may be able to put the extra ground in this nine-furlong event to good use and has been working well of late to prepare for this one. The Steven Asmussen trainee is also used to off going on the main track, and at 10-1 on the morning line, could spring an upset here under Luis Quinonez.
WAUPACA (Forest Wildcat) was the winner of that allowance last out, and ran in this event last year when it was listed on yielding ground, finishing third after leading for much of the way. The Donnie Von Hemel trainee is a turf expert at Lone Star, racking up four wins and two thirds from 10 starts over the course, and appears to have the best chance of handling soggy turf if this one stays on the green. The veteran seven-year-old hasn't done so well running on sloppy dirt, but could easily pounce if our top choice falters. Quincy Hamilton has the call.
TRIAL BY JURY (Deputy Minister) is the defending champion from this race last year, getting up at the line for the neck victory. The dark bay eight-year-old really tailed off after that, though, finishing eighth in his final two starts of the year and coming in ninth and last in his 2007 debut most recently in the aforementioned allowance. Trial by Jury probably really needed that race off the near seven-month layoff and could show much more returning to the 1 1/8-mile distance he prefers (4-3-0-0). Richard Eramia will be aboard.
EMBOSSED (Ire) (Mark of Esteem [Ire]) is the class of this field, both on firm and yielding conditions. He was most recently fourth by 1 3/4 lengths in the San Juan Capistrano Invitational H. (G2) and was just three parts of a length back in second on yielding turf in the John B. Connally Breeders' Cup Turf H. (G3). The Niall O'Callaghan charge will be tough to withstand if this one stays on the green, but has finished well-beaten fifths in his only two tries on the dirt, the most recent of which came on a sloppy, sealed surface.
BREGO (In Excess [Ire]), second to Waupaca in the allowance, was sixth in this event last year and, while the five-year-old loves to run second, we don't see him in the mix here. CRESTED (GB) (Fantastic Light) has posted some nice numbers of late but likely won't like the course/track conditions. MAJOR RHYTHM (Rhythm) probably needs more distance and firm going to challenge.
TRACK BANDIT SELECTIONS: 1st-MORE THAN REGAL
2nd-WAUPACA
3rd-TRIAL BY JURY
TRACK BANDIT PREVIEWS
OUIJA BOARD DISTAFF H. (G3), 9TH-LS, $200,000, 3YO/UP, F/M, 1MT, 5:19 P.M. CDT, 5-28
PP HORSE TRAINER JOCKEY WT
1 SWEET IDEA CALHOUN WILLIAM BRET BERRY M C 114
2 BROWNIE POINTS VON HEMEL DONNIE K QUINONEZ L S 118
3 PROSPECTORS SPIRIT GASS MICHAEL A MCNEIL BRYAN 112
4 MY THREE SISTERS ASMUSSEN STEVEN M BRIDGMOHAN S X 115
5 BARBETTE PISH DANNY HAMILTON Q 110
6 RICH FANTASY WERNER RONNY BOREL C H 117
7 D FINE OKIE VON HEMEL DONNIE K PETTINGER D R 114
8 LADY OF VENICE (FR) BIANCONE PATRICK L GOMEZ G K 118
LADY OF VENICE (Fr) (Loup Solitaire) towers over her seven rivals in Monday's $200,000 Ouija Board Distaff H. (G3) at Lone Star Park and, even though she offers no value as the even-money favorite on the morning line, we can't bring ourselves to oppose her in the grassy mile affair.
The Patrick Biancone filly was nothing short of scintillating in her first two American outings last year, sweeping from off the pace to capture the Appalachian S. and Regret S. (G3). She took on older mares in the Diana S. (G1) and wound up a close fifth, beaten only a length for it all after enduring a wide trip on yielding turf, and signed off for the year with a distant second to champion Wait a While (Maria's Mon) in the Lake Placid S. (G2). After returning to action with a workmanlike score in a Keeneland allowance, Lady of Venice was scratched from the Churchill Distaff Turf Mile S. (G3) on Kentucky Derby Day, with Biancone concerned about the yielding turf as well as her condition. Indeed, the ground is the only question mark, as there is considerable rain in the forecast for the Grand Prairie, Texas, area. If Biancone is satisfied enough with the turf to let her run, we'll trust that her class will see her through here. Even if she doesn't totally love the ground, the chestnut should find a way to beat these with Garrett Gomez in the saddle.
MY THREE SISTERS (Defrere) is intriguing at 12-1 on the morning line. A confirmed closer, the Steve Asmussen-trained mare roared home late and just missed in the Irving Distaff S., the local prep for this race. Prior to that, she had been chasing J'ray (Distant View) at Fair Grounds. There should be an honest pace in this spot, and My Three Sisters could come charging with Shaun Bridgmohan to round out the exacta.
The versatile BROWNIE POINTS (Forest Wildcat) was a close runner-up in the Bayakoa S. last time out on the dirt, but she has respectable turf form as well. The chestnut won a couple of grass stakes last season before winding up a one-paced fifth in the Mrs. Revere S. (G2), a much tougher contest than this. Brownie Points should crack the top three with anything resembling her best effort. If the race is forced off the turf, the Donnie Von Hemel trainee would be awfully tough to beat on a sloppy main track. On last year's Lone Star Million Day, she rallied from far back in the slop to take the Stonerside S. Regular rider Luis Quinonez will be back aboard.
RICH FANTASY (Richter Scale) finished a solid third in the Churchill Distaff Turf Mile, setting the pace and leading well into the stretch before being passed by two flying finishers. She didn't exactly throw in the towel on that occasion, and the gray looms as the most dangerous of the speed horses in this softer spot. Note that Rich Fantasy also has an excellent mark in the slop (2-1-1-0), should it come to that. Calvin Borel picks up the mount.
D FINE OKIE (Burbank) is exiting a fourth-place effort in the Irving Distaff, and the Oklahoma-bred would need a career-best to factor. SWEET IDEA (Langfuhr) will likely show speed from the rail before fading. BARBETTE (High Yield) has been well beaten in prior stakes tries. PROSPECTORS SPIRIT (Crafty Prospector) was no match for D Fine Okie two starts back.
TRACK BANDIT SELECTIONS: 1st-LADY OF VENICE (Fr)
2nd-MY THREE SISTERS
3rd-BROWNIE POINTS
TRACK BANDIT PREVIEWS
GOLDEN GATE FIELDS BREEDERS' CUP S. (G3), 9TH-GG, $200,000, 3YO/UP, 1 3/8MT, 5:08 P.M. PDT, 5-28
PP HORSE TRAINER JOCKEY WT
1 FANTASTIC SPAIN DRYSDALE NEIL SCHVANEVELDT C 122
2 NOW VICTORY PEDERSON DEAN ALVARADO F T 122
3 NOTABLE GUEST FRANKEL ROBERT J CHAVEZ J F 122
4 RAILROAD KORINER BRIAN GONZALEZ R M 122
5 MACDUFF (GB) DRYSDALE NEIL BAZE R A 122
6 BOULE D'OR (IRE) GALLAGHER PATRICK ROSARIO JOEL 122
7 BRAVO MAESTRO CECIL B D A MARTINEZ LUIS V 122
8 COREY COUNTY DRYSDALE NEIL LANDEROS CHRIS 122
Of the eight horses entered in Monday's $200,000 Golden Gate Fields Breeders' Cup S. (G3), seven are invading from Southern California in search of black type. The classiest member of the raiding party is NOTABLE GUEST (Kingmambo), who has placed in three of four stateside starts this year for Bobby Frankel. An English Group 3 winner in 2005, the Juddmonte Farms homebred was a close runner-up in the 1 1/4-mile San Marcos S. (G2) in his American debut in January. Notable Guest then stepped up to 12 furlongs for his next three outings, with his best effort being a second in the San Luis Rey H. (G2). The dark bay should prefer turning back slightly to 1 3/8 grassy miles here, and we look for him to assert his authority in this softer spot. Jorge Chavez picks up the mount.
MACDUFF (GB) (Machiavellian) is apparently the best regarded of Neil Drysdale's uncoupled trio, since he has lured Russell Baze into the saddle. The lightly raced gelding has performed well in allowance/optional claiming company, but he was trounced in the Mervin H. Muniz Jr. Memorial H. (G2) at Fair Grounds two back. Perhaps he didn't care for the New Orleans lawn. Macduff is exiting a runner-up effort in a deep allowance at Hollywood Park, in which he split Right Special (Brz) (Special Nash [Ire]) and Fast and Furious (Fr) (Singspiel [Ire]), both of whom are running in Monday's Shoemaker Breeders' Cup Mile S. (G1). In light of his triple-digit BRIS Late Pace numbers, we'll give Macduff another chance at this level.
BOULE D'OR (Ire) (Croco Rouge) has back class from both Europe and Dubai. After rattling home for third in the one-mile Thunder Road H. in his American bow for Paddy Gallagher, the dark bay has disappointed in his three subsequent starts. We still suspect that Boule d'Or is capable of turning in a strong effort on occasion, so we won't leave him out of our top three. Joel Rosario will get acquainted with the dark bay.
The multiple Grade 3-placed FANTASTIC SPAIN (Fantastic Fellow) is the most proven of Drysdale's brigade. The seven-year-old hasn't hit the board in either of his allowance attempts in 2007 going shorter, but the added distance could be exactly what he needs at this point in his career. Chad Schvaneveldt has the call. Four-time stakes hero RAILROAD (Double Honor) is an unknown quantity at the trip, never having been farther than nine furlongs. The Brian Koriner charge has respectable form to his credit, however, and he figures to be involved in the early pace beneath Roberto Gonzalez. Railroad could strike the front when the other speed folds and stay on well enough to earn a small share.
COREY COUNTY (High Yield), Drysdale's final entrant, would need to step up his game quite a bit to be involved at the finish. BRAVO MAESTRO (Stravinsky) has been well beaten in his previous forays into graded company, and we'd like to see how the "blinkers off" move will work before endorsing. NOW VICTORY (Sharp Victor), the only locally-based member of the field, figures to flash speed before giving way.
TRACK BANDIT SELECTIONS: 1st-NOTABLE GUEST
2nd-MACDUFF (GB)
3rd-BOULE D'OR (Ire)
TRACK BANDIT PREVIEWS
WINNING COLORS S. (G3), 10TH-CD, $100,000, 3YO/UP, F/M, 6F, 5:51 P.M. EDT, 5-28
PP HORSE TRAINER JOCKEY WT
1 READY TO PLEASE PLETCHER TODD A ALBARADO R J 118
2 MORNER VANCE DAVID R LEPAROUX JULIEN 118
3 OCEAN CURRENT STEWART DALLAS GUIDRY M 118
4 FLASHY LADY KIRBY FRANK J THERIOT H J II 118
5 MORETHANAPRINCESS FORSTER GRANT T MENA M 118
6 CUABA MOTT WILLIAM I MELANCON L 118
7 MISS MACY SUE VON HEMEL KELLY RAZO E JR 118
8 ARRADOUL BYRNE PATRICK B LANERIE C J 118
Eight fillies and mares have been entered to go six furlongs in the Winning Colors S. (G3) at Churchill Downs, and we're tabbing MISS MACY SUE (Trippi) to come out on top. The Kelly Von Hemel-trained four-year-old began 2007 with a six-length victory in the Carousel S. at Oaklawn Park, earning a 104 BRIS Speed rating. Last out, the dark bay miss was a 6 1/2-length victress of the Prairie Rose S., and has been working bullets of late to prepare for this one. Miss Macy Sue loves the three-quarter distance (12-6-3-1) and could move her 2007 record to a perfect three-for-three with this one.
READY TO PLEASE (More Than Ready) is the heavy 8-5 favorite on the morning line, taking an allowance by three-quarters of a length last out at Churchill Downs. The Todd Pletcher-trained miss captured last year's Fantasy S. (G2) and was in the top three of the Mother Goose S. (G1) and Dogwood Breeders' Cup S. (G3), but tailed off a bit during the winter when switched to the turf against Grade 1 rivals. She moved back to the dirt in the Santa Margarita Invitational H. (G1) two back, finishing fifth, and finally returned to the winner's circle while reverting in distance last out. Ready to Please appears back on top of her game and is the one to beat here under Robby Albarado.
OCEAN CURRENT (Storm Cat) has been the runner-up in her past three races, just caught in her last two after leading in the stretch. The Dallas Stewart charge has yet to finish off-the-board at the distance and owns two seconds at Churchill from three starts. The four-year-old filly's Speed numbers are competitive with others in here, and she could challenge in the top three. Note that Albarado, aboard for five of her last six starts, chose to ride Ready to Please, leaving Mark Guidry to pick up the mount.
MORNER (Broken Vow) loves both the distance and track, and could make a place for herself in the exotics at nice odds if any of our top three falters. The dark bay lass posted a 102 Speed rating for a second in the Very Subtle S. to close out her sophomore season, and recorded a bullet half-mile in :46 4/5 at Churchill on Friday, signaling her readiness to race. Julien Leparoux only adds to the things to like.
CUABA (Smoke Glacken) won her last two races on the dirt, and could show some improvement here while returning to that surface after trying the turf last out. The Bill Mott trainee has been going well of late and could pick up a share. MORETHANAPRINCESS (More Than Ready) tried the Polytrack at Keeneland last out and could also move forward here while returning to the dirt. Consider for the bottom of the gimmicks.
FLASHY LADY (Vision and Verse) has been well beaten by others in here before and we don't see her reversing that form here. ARRADOUL (Dixieland Band) has finished off-the-board only once from five career starts, but might not be fast enough to keep up with these. We'll let her beat us.
TRACK BANDIT SELECTIONS: 1st-MISS MACY SUE
2nd-READY TO PLEASE
3rd-OCEAN CURRENT
TRACK BANDIT PREVIEWS
MEMORIAL DAY H. (G3), 11TH-CRC, $100,000, 3YO/UP, 1 1/16M, 5:40 P.M. EDT, 5-28
PP HORSE TRAINER JOCKEY WT
1 BIG LOVER SALINAS ANGEL C CASTELLANO A JR 115
2 CHEIRON IADISERNIA GIUSEPPE CHIRINOS ROIMES 113
3 DRY MARTINI BENSON HARRY TRUJILLO E 114
4 SIPHON CITY HURTAK DANIEL AGUILAR M 116
5 REXSON'S ROSE ROSE BARRY R HOMEISTER R B J 113
6 TOO MANY TOYZ WHITE WILLIAM P OLIVERO C A 116
7 REHOBOTH GOMEZ FRANK CRUZ M R 115
8 ELECTRIC LIGHT WOLFSON MARTIN D NUNEZ E O 114
Eight horses will line up for the $100,000 Memorial Day H. (G3) at Calder on Monday, and we'll tab TOO MANY TOYZ (Northern Afleet) to earn his first graded stakes win.
The Bill White trainee got off to a successful start in his 2007 debut, as he was never headed en route to his first stakes win in the Sumter S., defeating ELECTRIC LIGHT (Silver Ghost), BIG LOVER (Ecton Park) and REHOBOTH (Wagon Limit) while scoring 100 BRIS Speed and 107 E2 Pace ratings for the effort. Too Many Toyz loves Calder (12-6-2-1) and the 1 1/16-mile trip (5-4-1-0), and he seems primed to score again over his home track.
Electric Light stayed on the turf for his first five races of 2007. Although he didn't win, he turned in solid efforts to place each time while facing the likes of Ashkal Way (Ire) (Ashkalani) and Remarkable News (Ven) (Chayim). Electric Light switched back to the main track in the Sumter and chased our top selection, winding up 2 3/4 lengths back in second. The Marty Wolfson pupil could improve in his second start back on the dirt.
Rehoboth captured the Carl G. Rose Classic H. at Calder last year, with Too Many Toyz fading to last. Two back, Rehoboth rallied in deep stretch to barely miss winning his first graded stakes in the Skip Away H. (G3). Both races were at his preferred 1 1/8 miles, and the Frank Gomez-trained colt hasn't had much luck at 1 1/16 miles (7-1-0-4). Still, Rehoboth has enough class and should be good for show honors.
DRY MARTINI (Slew Gin Fizz) looks like he has potential to upset our top three. The gray gelding has scored triple-digit Speed numbers in his past two starts, including an 8 3/4-length romp against allowance/optional claiming company. Big Lover figures to save ground from his rail post, and we'll use the late runner on the bottom of our exotics.
CHEIRON (Maria's Mon) has been disposed of by several others in here. REXSON'S ROSE (Suave Prospect), although a useful performer in the allowance/optional claiming ranks, has been well beaten in his previous stakes attempts. Defending champion SIPHON CITY (Siphon [Brz]) was on a win streak until he faced Horse of the Year Invasor (Arg) (Candy Stripes) last year and hasn't done well since. We'll pass.
TRACK BANDIT SELECTIONS: 1st-TOO MANY TOYZ
2nd-ELECTRIC LIGHT
3rd-REHOBOTH
TRACKMASTER RACE OF THE DAY
Today's Free Race: Hollywood Park for Monday May 28, 2007
Handicapped by The Turf Club Analysts at Hollywood Park
Hollywood Park - Race #5 - Post: 3:34pm
Rating:
Choice Plays:
#7 YES MASTER (ML=8/1)
#9 GOTTHATFEELING (ML=6/1)
#6 JEALOUS PROFIT (ML=6/1)
#10 LIVER (ML=15/1)
YES MASTER - I like this gelding a lot here. He shows a lot of consistency, finishing in the money frequently. GOTTHATFEELING - All systems look good for this gelding. Last morning work, 2nd fastest of the day, shows he's fit and ready. JEALOUS PROFIT - Jock hops back on after getting to know the horse by riding last time out. That's always a good thing. LIVER - This jockey and conditioner's animals have been producing a positive ROI.
Vulnerable Contenders: #5 TEMECULA CREEK (ML=3/1), #8 HEWITTS (ML=7/2), #4 POINT OF IMPACT (ML=6/1)
TEMECULA CREEK - Will probably be educated to pay some respect to his elders today. HEWITTS - Morning line odds of 7/2 make this horse a pass by my examination. POINT OF IMPACT - Hasn't hit the board in any sprint races of late. Not probable to see him doing it in today's event either. Unlikely for this pony to do much in today's event. The very long layoff is a troublesome sign.
STRAIGHT WAGERS:
Bet on #7 YES MASTER to win if we can get at least 4/1 odds
EXACTA WAGERS:
Box [6,7,9]
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Mike Superstein's Hollywood Park Analysis for Monday, May 28
RACE ONE
CHANEL MY BELLE is the logical selection in this small field. She broke her maiden cleverly for $40,000 April 1, which got her eligible for this starter allowance test, then was a good third against similar opening week. CHEESE FACE found a mile and one-sixteenth a bit too far and should relish this 7 1-2 furlong distance. She broke her maiden by 10 in her previous start. CHESTNUT CHIPS upset cheap maidens with an eye-catching stretch run. However the race was slow and the competition weak.
RACE TWO
AWESOME GRAF faltered as the odds-on favorite at Santa Anita, but has been given time to regroup by John Sadler. His best race is good enough to win this. EAGLE RIDGE has been a big disappointment for Neil Drysdale, but the drop to the $32,000 level might wake him up. Red-hot apprentice Joe Talamo takes over. SILVER WIND has been meeting straight maidens recently with moderate results. He'll appreciate the drop in class.
RACE THREE
Usually South American imports need a few races in the United Stakes to acclimate. Not HERALDO. The Mike Puype trainee faced a small field February 19, lagged behind, then stormed home to take his American debut by a widening length and one-half. There's an abundance of speed today to set up his late charge. GRINDING IT OUT ran super in his first start over the Cushion. However, he was allowed to set a leisurely pace and will have to be used hard today to maintain his position. BLACK SEVENTEEN has turned into a top-notch sprinter for Brian Koriner. If his connections keep him racing around one turn, he'll make a lot of money. This race will mark his first crack at older runners.
RACE FOUR
ALLISON'S ART, an Irish bred, English raced import, ran a terrific race in her U.S. debut. She made a huge move while wide, had a brief lead in the stretch then got a little tired to finish second. With that race under her belt, she'll be double tough this time around. JUST KNOCK has been the beaten favorite twice in a row for Bobby Frankel and last time finished three lengths back of the top one. She'd better start getting her act together. TEE OFF came flying late after a slow start. Look out as Espinoza rides back.
RACE FIVE
In a difficult race the edge goes to TEMECULA CREEK. 'CREEK was unlucky to run into Black Seventeen after nine months on the sidelines and finished a credible second. He worked twice since that race and should find seven furlongs right up his alley. HEWITTS will be well supported on the strength of a romping maiden victory May 5. He'll be reunited with David Flores, who rode the ridgling first time out. GOTTHATFEELING showed quarterhorse-type fractions of 20 4/5 and 43 1/5 before blowing an early eight-length advantage. His dilemma today is to outrun Yes Master early without having to go quite that fast.
RACE SIX
MCNASTY took a nosedive in class April 27 and responded with a rail-skimming victory. Today's triple jump is a clear signal that he came out of that race in good order. SUNDAY NAP was the runnerup in his last two starts. The veteran gelding must always be taken seriously, as evidenced by his 14 of 21 in the money slate. SMOKIN FOREST takes a slight drop after being claimed by Ted West in February. He hasn't won in quite some time, but is usually in the battle.
RACE SEVEN
The Grade I Shoemaker Mile always comes up tough, and today's edition is no exception. KIP DEVILLE has won three in a row, all at a mile, and last time out defeated hotshot Showing Up. His stalking style gives him a tremendous advantage in a bulky field. THE TIN MAN seems to get better the older he gets. Now nine, 'TIN also reeled off three straight at the end of last year, including the Arlington Million and C L Hirsch, both Grade 1's. His recent drills have been sensational and indicate that he's fit enough to win off the bench. CHARMO hasn't quite lived up to the promise he displayed in his first few American starts, but is still formidable. He used the recent San Francisco Mile as a tuneup for this.
RACE EIGHT
INSTANT ACTION ran second in his debut, an effort that would have been good enough to win 99 percent of the time. He made all the pace before being run down by Silver Stetson Man in a race that was unbelievably fast for the day. 'INSTANT was also more than seven lengths clear of the third place finisher. Take whatever price you can get. I'M ALL OUT has been second in four of his five starts. Guess where he'll finish today. LATIN RHYTHMS came charging down the hillside course only to fall a head short. He's trained well over the Cushion and should get another piece of the purse.
RACE NINE
VACARE has taken on all comers and remains unblemished in five starts. She's won at three different tracks, has a versatile style, and may be on her way to becoming one of the all time great distaffers. Today's race will be a stern test, as she must face the Frankel duo of CITRONNADE and PRICE TAG. CITRONNADE comes off a career best, winning the Santa Anita Handicap by daylight. She's better prepared than the last time she faced VACARE, when she finished six lengths behind her in the Q E II Cup at Keeneland. PRICE TAG is unbeaten in two American starts. She captured the Matriarch over this course in November. The only concern with 'TAG is that she's never run this far.
RACE TEN
In a last race baffler, we'll give a slender edge to PAPAGO ROAD. He was an okay third in his first try at this level and gets a five-pound weight break with bug boy Joe Talamo up. DIXIE BANKER moves further down in class and adds blinkers in an attempt to turn things around. This once highly regarded gelding has been a major disappointment for his connections. BUDDYANDROWDY closes well at times, but has had little success over synthetic surfaces. He'll need a lively pace to contend.
Best Bet-INSTANT ACTION (8)
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Calder
Analysis:: by Ron Nicoletti
12:50PM
Race 1 -
6 SHORTY PUFFS drops after an eventful $40K debut in which she bumped and steadied at the start prior to finishing fifth. Trainer Larry Pilotti, 18% with horses making their second start, has en fuego jock Eduardo Nunez in the irons. 5 THREE HAIL MARYS will wear blinkers after showing speed and fading to finish fourth vs. similar in her 4 1/2-furlong debut. 2 MAGIC TUNE poses an interesting handicapping dilemma. The daughter of Concorde's Tune debuts for strong first-out trainer Steve Standridge, but she's working slowly for her career debut. Maybe the tote action will tell us more about her chances to win at first asking.
6-5-2
Race 2 -
6 CONSTITUTION RIVER looked like a son of super sire Storm Cat when he drew off to defeat first-level allowance runners at Tampa by 5 1/4 lengths, which was his first race since finishing third at Saratoga last Aug. 3 CALL ME PETE, 3 for 3 in the money on the Calder sod (3-2-0-1), makes his first start since chasing the pace and fading vs. stakes caliber competition in a 5-furlong turf sprint at Tampa. Trainer Kirk Ziadie, 38% with the 61-180 day layoff, has Elvis Trujillo in the irons. 8 ALL HAIL STORMY debuts locally for trainer Bill White after a solid turf sprint campaign in New York for Hall Of Fame trainer Allen Jerkens. Note that trainer White has a 28% win average with new acquisitions to his shed row. 2 EL BANDITO ROJO will shift to the turf after edging away to defeat first-level allowance runners here on the main track.
6-3-8-2
Race 3 -
3 EL PROFETA drops in for a $25K tag after stalking the pace and finishing fourth vs. maiden special weight competition at 4 1/2 furlongs. The most seasoned runner in the field is spotted for success. 2 GET READY is a son of More Than Ready who has trained consistently enough to be a factor in his career debut. Trainer Tim Ritvo adds Lasix and Jose Lopez for this assignment. 6 LUCRATIVE DEAL is a Kinsman Farm homebred son of Diligence debuting for trainer Gregory Griffith with Lasix and jockey Abdiel Toribio added to the mix. 1 GONNA FLEE, a half to Tropical Park Oaks runner up Careless Heiress, makes his career debut with a string of 'out of town' workouts showing in preparation for this assignment.
3-2-6-1
Race 4 -
6 TEOFILO is turning back to a mile and a sixteenth after notching his second consecutive turf victory when he defeated this caliber of competition at 9 furlongs. 2 FAMOUS FROLIC should have the screw tightened in his second start back from the layoff after chasing the pace and weakening to finish 3 lengths behind Teofilo at 9 furlongs. 8 TISSY FIT is turning back to his most accomplished distance (11-4-2-1) after encountering traffic on the far turn (steadied) when finishing less than 3 lengths behind Teofilo last out. Trainer Norm Pointer has Manoel Cruz handling the rematch.
6-2-8
Race 5 -
4 AMERICANISM will face "two-lifetime" competition after rallying to defeat $25K maidens, as the favorite, in his local return the distance. Leading trainer Kathleen O'Connell tabs Roimes Chirinos to ride as leading jock Manoel Cruz moves to 1A GREGORY. The gelding, part of an Alan Benson entry, returns to the main track after encountering trouble in a $25K "two-lifetime" claimer on the turf. 5 SIR BRANDON steps up after drawing clear to wallop $12.5K maidens at the distance by 8 lengths.
4-1-5
Race 6 -
2 AMERICAN BORDER drops into this $25K "two-lifetime" claimer after hitting the board in 2 of 4 recent turf races vs. better competition. Trainer Jose Pinchin has Manoel Cruz atop the 1-for-17 daughter of Boundary. 10 GOLDEN CITIES drops after following her commanding 7-length score on the dirt vs. $32K maidens with a chase-and-fade performance vs. $40K claimers in her local turf debut. The lightly raced daughter of Coronado's Quest is spotted perfectly. 4 BRILLIANT LOVER is hoping to find more for the stretch drive after dueling early and fading late to finish third at this level and distance. 6 HEAVEN'S LIGHT, 2 for 6 in the money on this course, tries conditioned claimers after a troubled outing (steadied start) vs. multiple winners.
2-10-4-6
Race 7 -
7 MAGGIE'S SHAMROCK is turning back slightly after fading to finish third behind next-out winner Snappy Blue in her local return at a mile and a sixteenth. 5 LET'S GO OUT WEST gets the blinkers removed after stalking the pace and fading to finish fourth behind Maggie's Shamrock last out. Note that the daughter of Westminster has run well at the distance in the past (Dec. 31). 8 C QUEEN RIDGE is stretching out after gaining 3-wide to finish third in the slop vs. similar at 7 furlongs. She looks good in a field that is a combined zero-for-109.
7-5-8
Race 8 -
2 LAKE GOLD VIVA showed a fondness for the local sod when she dueled for the lead and yielded late to finish second vs. $40K maidens at the distance. Her biggest challenge should come from 10 ACE KICKER. The daughter of Millennium Wind makes her first start since she circled 4-wide to finish second in front of Lake Gold Viva in their Gulfstream turf finale on Apr. 22. 4 BANK ON SILVER, 1 for 2 in the money on this surface last year, returns after rallying to come within a head of defeating $25K maidens across town. 8 LIZA ANN is eligible to offer more after making a middle move and fading to sixth behind Lake Gold Viva last out. Elvis Trujillo handles the rematch.
2-10-4-8
Race 9 -
7 CRAFTMANSHIP, now in the Wesley Ward barn, will wear blinkers again after drawing away to defeat $8K maidens at Tampa by almost 4 lengths. Trainer Ward, 22% with the tenants to his shed row, tabs Jordan Springer to ride. 4 RUPERT'S RELICS, beaten a length here at this level in Dec., drops after breaking slowly and failing to earn a check when skipping a condition in a pair of "three-lifetime" claimers at Gulfstream. 3 GO SHORTY figures to grab a share after encountering trouble entering the turn (steadied) when finishing third behind next-out winner War Scandal at this level and distance. 11 SECRET ACCOUNT is turning back after fading to finish fifth behind aforementioned repeat winner War Scandal at 7 furlongs.
7-4-3-11
Race 10 -
6 CENTERFIRE drops after a respectable local return vs. $16K "two-lifetime" claimers in which he chased the pace and finished fourth. 2 AMIGO DO PEITO, who finished third in front of Centerfire on Apr. 29, turns back after losing all chance when he broke in the air vs. similar at 6 1/2 furlongs. 7 FRISKY FLYER is turning back after breaking from Post 11, dueling for the lead, and then fading to finish fourth behind similar at 6 1/2 furlongs. 5 SOUTHERN FORMALITY, beaten a half-length at this distance here on Apr. 25, turns back after a 5-wide trip produced a fifth place finish behind Frisky Flyer.
6-2-7-5
Race 11 - THE MEMORIAL DAY HANDICAP (G3)
3 DRY MARTINI has trained sharply since the strong campaign at Gulfstream in which he followed a troubled fourth place finish in the million-dollar Sunshine Millions Classic with a monster allowance/claiming score at 9 furlongs. 6 TOO MANY TOYZ won for the sixth time here when he returned from the layoff to defeat many of these in the $50K Sumter. Trainer Bill White has Carlos Olivero in the saddle again. 7 REHOBOTH, a multiple stakes winner here, who was beaten head in the Grade 3 Skip Away across town, should offer more after finishing fourth behind Too Many Toyz, as the favorite, in the Sumter. 8 ELECTRIC LIGHT was supplemented into the race by always-dangerous trainer Marty Wolfson after finishing second behind Too Many Toyz last out.
3-6-7-8
Race 12 -
6 GOWER is stretching out to 6 1/2 furlongs after a sharp local return in which he rallied to finish second to hard-knocking multiple stakes winner Weigelia in the $100K Ponche Handicap. 5 BUCHAREST was game in defeat when he recovered from a poor start to finish fast-closing ground-saving second behind red-hot 4 WILD NATURE last out. The latter is stretching out after notching the second victory in his last three starts when drew off to defeat stakes caliber competition, including Bucarest, Qureall, and Blue Pepsi Lodge.
6-5-4
Race 13 -
3 CLASSIC SET is turning back after setting a pressured pace and getting beat a half-length vs. similar in her promising 6 1/2-furlong debut. She should be odds-on in the nightcap. 7 IRISH FIGHT makes her South Florida debut after posting speed figures good enough to beat this caliber of competition at Delta Downs. 9 WINDY PRINCESS is stretching out an additional furlong after rallying to finish in front of half the field when facing similar at five-eighths of a mile. 4 HALO'S MUSIC is turning back slightly after rallying to finish fourth behind Classic Set in their recent clash at 6 1/2 furlongs.
BEST BET: RACE 11 - DRY MARTINI
LONG SHOT: RACE 8 - KIPPER TYME
3-7-9-4
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Belmont
By Art Gropper
BEST BET: Nerve (6th race)
First Race
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1. Raw Cat 2. On the Margin 3. Dontess
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RAW CAT has been knocking on the door at this level and the trainer goes back to it's top win rider for this. Projects to be a force from start to finish. ON THE MARGIN just missed vs.a repeat winner and exits a pair of Beyer speed figure Tops, while getting a positive rider change. DONTESS graduated in 15th attempt, but was in very good form in the maiden ranks and the barn began the Belmont Park meet sizzling.
Second Race
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1. Brian's Cat Can Do 2. Saturday's Cat 3. Seeking No More
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BRIAN'S CAT CAN DO received a very tentative ride in latest, steadying between horses and never getting a fair chance to race. New pilot has been hotter than anyone in the room the past 10 days and a more aggressive attempt should do it. SATURDAY'S CAT has been right there at the finish of last 3 turf starts with New York-breds. Likely needed last start when game from post 11; the one to beat. SEEKING NO MORE gets 1st blinkers after troubled in turf debut here. Gets additional yardage and the Eclipse Award-winning pilot for the 1st time. Main Track Only entrants FINAL AUTHORITY completely missed the break in career debut.
Third Race
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1. Commentator 2. Shaky Town 3. Executive Search
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COMMENTATOR was the last horse to beat 2005 Horse of the Year Saint Liam and was 1-5 odds when crushing rivals in a similar 2006 spot here. Looms the shortest price favorite of the day and anything close to his best wins 5th straight New York-bred event. SHAKY TOWN seems the major danger after finishing a close 3rd in a key Keeneland event. The 2-for-4 Belmont main track record is hard to ignore, but may be just running for 2nd money vs. the pick. EXECUTIVE SEARCH rallied well behnd a quick winner, but has settled for many minor awards during career.
Fourth Race
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1. Winstrella 2. Cheetah Trail 3. Marital Asset
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WINSTRELLA was 2nd best to Preakness winner Curlin in career debut and is bred for stardom, a sibling to Grade 2 Colonial Minstrel (556K). Won by 7 lengths in New York debut and seems very much on the improve. CHEETAH TRAIL chased a quick winner in last and style suggests the added distance will help the cause. MARITAL ASSET burned money when steadying in traffic vs. winners. Sibling to G1 Yonaguska (535K) has never run a bad race in career.
Fifth Race
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1. Back to Mandalay 2. Speaking Out 3. Gulch Fever
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BACK TO MANDALAY appears ready for much better competition after seeing his romp over maidens with something left. Runnerup in latest runs in race 2 to get a better gauge, but son of a 150K turf dam breezed nicely for this. SPEAKING OUT needed his last start and won going this far at Saratoga. Must overcome the draw, but should be flying late. GULCH FEVER fired 2 biggies on grass at this level and the only concern is if his late kick comes up too late. THUNDERESTIMATE graduated when making 1st start in nearly 9 months, then drilled a sod bullet for 1st test with winners.
Sixth Race
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1. Nerve 2. Reverberate 3. Indian War Dance
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NERVE was absolutely awesome in his Calder 3-year-old debut and will get a weight break today, facing older rivals. Latest eye-catching romp signalled he's ready for much better competetion and will get the class tested here. REVERBERATE was not beating Oratory in the 2005 Peter Pan over the track and this is arguably his easiest spot since that effort. Is 0-for-10 at every other track but Belmont, so the horse for course theory applies. INDIAN WAR DANCE is also entered at Monmouth Park today and seems to be entered and scratched every day this week. 3-year-old stakes winner is seeking the correct level.
Seventh Race
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1. Banrock 2. Pays to Dream 3. Ready Enough
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BANROCK immediately perked up his form when placed on turf 13 months ago. Sibling to 287K grasser Finlandia ended 2006 with a new Beyer Top when 3rd to a repeat winner. Can he win off nearly 8 months away is the lone dilemma. PAYS TO DREAM saved best for grass and the bettors made him the favorite that day, because his graduation was so impressive. READY ENOUGH finished behind the top pick last year, but goes back to the win surface after 4 consecutive blah efforts on dirt; clearly needs the green. OPTIMISTIC STEVE missed the start vs. open company and is back in with New York-breds. Ranked as the top Main Track Only entrant.
Eighth Race
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1. Lawyer Ron 2. Silver Wagon 3. Latent Heat
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LAWYER RON has disappointed previously in Grade 1 spots, but appears ready for primetime after toying Oaklawn Handicap rivals. Lone loss for the Pletcher barn was facing champions Invasor and Bernardini in last year's 'Classic. There's a ton of early speed signed on for this, which only helps his massive stretch punch. SILVER WAGON exploded late to score in the Carter and should get another rapid pace to rally into. Is it possible he's peaking as a 6-year-old? LATENT HEAT was part of a duel in the Carter and is hoping some of the other speed scratch out. Both of his Belmont victories were extremely impressive, so eligible to improve on this surface.
Ninth Race
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1. Perfect Bullet 2. Advanced Signs 3. Ambassador
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PERFECT BULLET was nosed in latest and is bred all over for the green, a son of 13-for-19 grasser Perfect Sting (2.1M turf). Both the 4th and 6th-place finishers from last graduated at Belmont next out. Gets 1st Lasix for this. ADVANCED SIGNS displayed a potent stretch kick at Gulfstream and while the turf pedigree doesn't particularly stand out, the added distance is a huge plus. AMBASSADOR chased a sharp GP invader when making much-improved lawn debut. Seems to have a future on this surface.
Tenth Race
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1. Truth Or Dare 2. Kal El 3. Renown
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TRUTH OR DARE has not gotten a favorable trip in either of first two starts and was the betting favorite in 2nd start mostly due to a nightmare unveiling. Dam was a turf winner and Prado's back for the diploma for the biggest drop in racing. KAL EL lacked stamina going long, but this distance should fit him perfectly. RENOWN just missed in last when flying late and the shorter distance is the biggest concern. Rallied to finish 4th in this spot vs. a repeat winner in 2005.
__________________
Keith Line MLB Therom System:
Angles
Phillies
Hondo Bets Against the Twins
The Indians were givers last night as they tripped the Tigers on Hondo's behalf, which enabled him to move back into triple figures at 135 hoaks above sea level.
Today, Jose can you pitch? Ten units on Contreras and the Pale Hose to stifle the Twins
Players of America
12-3 last 15 plays.
EARLY PAID SELECTIONS:
(1*) Cinci Reds
Ats Lock Club
3 Spurs
3 O's
3 Yankees
Larry Ness
The New York Yankees are still looking for answers. They'll start their longest road trip of the season Monday night when they play the first of three games against the Toronto Blue Jays. New York fell six games below .500 after being swept over the weekend by the Los Angeles Angels. The Yankees (21-27) have dropped 11 of 16 and trail first-place Boston by 12 1/2 games in the AL East. This 10-game road trip will be a tough one for New York, which plays three contests at Boston next weekend before going to Chicago to face the White Sox for four games. The Yankees are 4-9 against the teams they face on the trip. New York is MLB's worst team vs the moneyline, sitting at minus-$2,007 (at $100/game)! Rookie Matt De Salvo (1-1, 5.29 E
Money Train
30 Dime
Spurs
5 Dime
Pirates
Orioles
Trev Rogers
Yankees/BlueJays Over 10.5
Charlie Sports
nba. san antonio @ utah over 190' (500*)
nba. san antonio-1 (30*)
mlb. milwaukee-135 (20*)
mlb. toronto+130 (20*)
mlb. cubs-150 (10*)
mlb. cincinnati+105 (10*) Bonus Play
Marc Lawrence
Indians at Red Sox
Prediction: Indians
The Indians take their heavy-hitting sticks to Fenway where they will give lefthander Cliff Lee (2-1, 5.93 ERA) the start. Lee is unbeaten in his career team starts in Beantown. With Curt Schilling (3-2, 3.94 ERA) currently in terrible form, look for the Indians to improve to 6-1 on Monday.
Lenny Del Genio
Mariners at Angels
Prediction: Angels
The Angels are coming off a sweep of the New York Yankees in the Bronx and will try for their eighth straight home win over the Mariners. Los Angeles is 5-1 against Seattle this season. LA starter Bartolo Colon (5-1, 4.57 ERA) is 5-0 with a 2.20 ERA in his last six starts against Seattle, including 2-0 with a 2.57 ERA this season. The right-hander, who is 12-8 with a 4.15 ERA in 24 career starts against the Mariners, will try to bounce back from his first loss of the season. He allowed a season-high six runs and 10 hits in 4 1/3 innings in the Angels' 8-7 loss at Detroit on Wednesday. He will try to cool off the Mariners, who won 7-4 at Kansas City on Sunday to sweep the three-game series and improve to 5-2 on their current 10-game road trip. The Mariners will try to match a season high with a fourth straight win tonight. They are batting .369 with 38 runs scored and 59 hits in their last four games. Miguel Batista (4-4, 5.61) goes for Seattle. The right-hander avoided a third straight loss when he allowed one run and seven hits in six innings to beat Tampa Bay 5-1 on Wednesday. He is 2-3 with a 6.75 ERA in nine appearances (four starts) against Los Angeles and was roughed up by the Angels last month. Batista allowed six runs and 10 hits in six innings of an 8-4 loss at Los Angeles on April 20. The Angels went 4-2 on their road trip last week and enter tonight's game having won 14 of their last 18 games overall and with a 17-6 home mark this season. Take the Angels.
Jim Feist
Inner Circle
Blue Jays
Psychic Sports
MLB
1 unit St. Louis +137
2 unit Arizona +143
2 units Baltimore -118
3 units Texas +134
NBA
3 units San Antonio -1
3 units under 190.5
Dave Cokin
Take "(971) SEA Mariners"
Miguel Batista has actually been pretty good lately for the Mariners, and Seattle is on an offensive rampage right now. The Angels are also on fire, having just swept the Yankees. But this is a potential flat spot as they return home, the travel could be a factor as far as fatigue is concerned, and Bartolo Colon really hasn't been very sharp recently. I see the Mariners having excellent value here as they catch a big underdog price, so I'll go for the upset call with the M's."
Jim Feist
Take "(954) MIL Brewers"
Milwaukee goes with its ace, lefty Chris Capuano, who loves pitching at home. He's 3-1 at home this season where opponents are hitting only .234 off him. Atlanta is 1-3 the last 4 starts by Chuck James, walking 12 in 19 innings. The Brewers have been a dominant home team at 17-7. Play the Brewers!
Ben Burns
Annihilator
Brewers
Blue Chip
Under Twins/Whitesox
Monday Horse Racing Spot Picks
TRACK BANDIT PREVIEWS
METROPOLITAN H. (G1), 8TH-BEL, $600,000, 3YO/UP, 1M, 4:43 P.M. EDT, 5-28
PP HORSE TRAINER JOCKEY WT
1 LAWYER RON PLETCHER TODD A PRADO E S 119
2 HALF OURS PLETCHER TODD A VELAZQUEZ J R 117
3 MR. UMPHREY DUTROW RICHARD E RODRIGUEZ R R 113
4 SUN KING ZITO NICHOLAS P COA E M 118
5 SILVER WAGON DUTROW RICHARD E CASTELLANO J J 119
6 ACCOUNTFORTHEGOLD CONTESSA GARY C LUZZI M J 114
7 LATENT HEAT FRANKEL ROBERT J BEJARANO R 118
8 POLITICAL FORCE JERKENS H ALLEN VELASQUEZ CORNE 116
9 CORINTHIAN JERKENS JAMES A DESORMEAUX K J 117
10 SILENT NAME (JPN) MANDELLA GARY NAKATANI C S 117
An excellent field of 10 will square off in Monday's $600,000 Metropolitan Mile H. (G1) at Belmont, and the pace will likely be hot. There's plenty of quality speed in the line-up, and trainer Richard Dutrow has entered the "rabbit" MR. UMPHREY (Jules) to set up the late-running SILVER WAGON (Wagon Limit). We respect the latter's chances, but we'll give top billing to LATENT HEAT (Maria's Mon).
Trained by Bobby Frankel, Latent Heat wound up setting a wicked pace
21 3/5 and :44 1/5) in the Carter H. (G1) last out before fading to fourth, beaten 2 3/4 lengths by Silver Wagon, but he proved that he could rate when capturing the Malibu S. (G1) three starts back, earning a 104 BRIS Speed rating for the sharp two-length score. Rafael Bejarano, who will replace the departing Edgar Prado, won't make the same mistake chasing the pace here, and Latent Heat should sit a perfect stalking trip before offering his run. He's one-for-one at a mile, winning an allowance/optional claiming event at Belmont last September, and is the only multiple winner over the track (two-for-two at Belmont) in the field. Latent Heat prepared for this event with a six-furlong bullet work (fastest of 30) at Hollywood Park last week, and we expect a big performance.Silver Wagon is winless in three attempts at a mile and in three previous efforts at Belmont, but we won't dismiss his win chances. The gray six-year-old has never been better, posting impressive wins in the Carter and General George Breeders' Cup H. (G2) in his last two outings, and he figures to be rolling late on Memorial Day. He's earned BRIS Late Pace ratings as high as 113 -- in addition to Speed figures reaching 109 in recent outings -- and appears to be training well, drilling a half-mile in a bullet :47 4/5 (best of 10) at Aqueduct last week. Jockey Javier Castellano sticks with the millionaire over CORINTHIAN (Pulpit), and Silver Wagon will attempt to provide Dutrow, who scored last year with Silver Train, with consecutive Met Mile trophies.
LAWYER RON (Langfuhr) owns plenty of natural speed, but he's really relaxed well, just off the pace, in both starts this year and looms as a very dangerous contender who will be rallying from midpack. Prado will guide the Todd Pletcher trainee, and the chestnut four-year-old exits an excellent triumph in the Oaklawn H. (G2), earning a 108 Speed rating for the four-length decision. Prior to that, Lawyer Ron improved his mark to three-for-three at a mile with a facile allowance/optional claiming victory at Gulfstream Park. He's never raced over "Big Sandy," but Lawyer Ron is a definite contender for it all in his Belmont debut.
HALF OURS (Unbridled's Song), who will race uncoupled with stablemate Lawyer Ron, suffered his first setback (five-for-six overall) when finishing second in the Alysheba S. (G3) last out. That start came around two turns, and the gray four-year-old will cut back to a more favorable distance. He notched a career-best 106 Speed rating when capturing a one-mile allowance/optional claiming test at Gulfstream earlier this year, and proved very game when taking the Richter Scale Breeders' Cup Sprint Championship H. (G2) two back. This represents a serious class check, but Half Ours has a lot of talent. Consider for the exotics.
SUN KING (Charismatic) is another one to consider for part. The Nick Zito charge just missed when second by a head in this event last year, but this is a much more talented and deep field this year. The multiple Grade 2 winner proved his class, however, when finishing second by a nose to Invasor (Arg) (Candy Stripes) in the Whitney H. (G1), and Sun King received a good tune-up for this race, finishing third (placed second via disqualification) following a rough trip in the stretch of his seasonal bow, the May 2 Westchester H. (G3). Sun King is eligible to improve off his last with a top showing.
SILENT NAME (Jpn) (Sunday Silence) opened this year with a solid third in the Frank E. Kilroe Mile H. (G1) on the turf, and he really impressed when switching to the Polytrack at Keeneland in the Commonwealth Breeders' Cup S. (G2) last out, taking the event by four lengths in front-running style over a surface that wasn't conducive to early speed. The five-year-old posted a whopping 113 Speed rating, but we're not sure how he'll handle his dirt debut. We're inclined to just watch and see, but Silent Name does merit respect based upon his last showing.
Corinthian is capable of outperforming our expectations, but he needs to prove himself outside of Florida before we'll back him. The four-year-old colt has been a terrific performer at Gulfstream, opening 2007 with a smashing allowance/optional claiming score before taking the Gulfstream Park H. (G2), but he faltered badly when finishing fifth in the Excelsior Breeders' Cup H. (G3) last out. The James Jerkens trainee does have an excuse for that effort, but he also performed badly at Saratoga last summer. A mile might not be the perfect fit either, so we'll go against.
POLITICAL FORCE (Unbridled's Song) will be running late for Allen Jerkens, but the multiple stakes-placed runner will need to take a huge leap forward to be a factor in this tough spot. ACCOUNTFORTHEGOLD (Successful Appeal) has been a one-dimensional front runner in his last five outings, winning three times, but there's too much speed here for him to be effective. Note that trainer Gary Contessa has cross-entered him to Monday's $65,000 Frisk Me Now S. at Monmouth Park. Mr. Umphrey is going well presently, but he's overmatched in this race and figures to back up readily when the serious running starts.
TRACK BANDIT SELECTIONS: 1st-LATENT HEAT
2nd-SILVER WAGON
3rd-LAWYER RON
TRACK BANDIT PREVIEWS
SHOEMAKER BREEDERS' CUP MILE S. (G1), 7TH-HOL, $300,000, 3YO/UP, 1MT, 4:23 P.M. PDT, 5-28
PP HORSE TRAINER JOCKEY WT
1 RIGHT SPECIAL (BRZ) LOBO PAULO H BLANC B 124
2 CHARMO (FR) CANANI JULIO C PEDROZA M A 124
3 KIP DEVILLE DUTROW RICHARD E MIGLIORE R 124
4 BECRUX (ITY) DRYSDALE NEIL FLORES D R 124
5 WILLOW O WISP CERIN VLADIMIR TALAMO JOSEPH 124
6 THE TIN MAN MANDELLA RICHARD E ESPINOZA V 124
7 CHINESE DRAGON HESS R B JR SMITH M E 124
8 VEGA'S LORD (GER) DRYSDALE NEIL BAZE M C 124
9 GET FUNKY SADLER JOHN W VALDIVIA J JR 124
10 FAST AND FURIOUS (FR) MCANALLY RONALD SOLIS A 124
The $300,000 Shoemaker Breeders' Cup Mile S. (G1) on Hollywood Park's Memorial Day card features a contentious cast of 10 turf horses. KIP DEVILLE (Kipling) figures to be the favorite on the strength of consecutive scores in the Sir Beaufort S. (G3), Frank E. Kilroe Mile H. (G1) and Maker's Mark Mile S. (G2), but can he extend his winning streak to four in such a competitive division? THE TIN MAN (Affirmed) has plenty of appeal with his proven class, but the nine-year-old gelding may need the race after an eight-month vacation and is better going longer. With an overabundance of early speed on tap, the mile test should set up well for the deep closing CHINESE DRAGON (Stravinsky), who could prove to be an attractive overlay in the wagering.
Formerly based with Aidan O'Brien in Ireland, Chinese Dragon was sold at the conclusion of his juvenile campaign and transferred to Bob Hess Jr. The bay soon proved to be a shrewd purchase, winning five of six races as a three-year-old. Four of those victories came in stakes, including the 2005 Sir Beaufort. In early 2006, Chinese Dragon just missed by a head when third in the ultra-tough Kilroe, earning a 104 BRIS Speed rating, and then finished a creditable second in the Arcadia H. (G2). He was sidelined for an entire year but reappeared with a highly encouraging score in the April 28 San Francisco Mile S. (G2), where he rallied off a steady pace to get up by a nose over VEGA'S LORD (Ger) (Lord of Men). Chinese Dragon will likely move forward off that tightener, and he promises to come rolling late beneath a returning Mike Smith.
Kip Deville has struck top form since learning to rate just off the pace. The Richard Dutrow charge racked up his career-best 104 Speed rating in this year's Kilroe, when he got first run on the closers and just held on by a neck. He likewise stalked and pounced in the Maker's Mark Mile, outdueling the classy Showing Up (Strategic Mission). The gray figures to get a similar trip here with Richard Migliore in the irons.
The Tin Man was better than ever as an eight-year-old last season, crowning his campaign with front-running victories in the Arlington Million S. (G1) and Clement L. Hirsch Memorial Turf Championship S. (G1). The Richard Mandella veteran doesn't need the lead, and regular rider Victor Espinoza will probably settle him into a stalking spot behind the confirmed speed*****. Although The Tin Man has a respectable record at a mile (8-3-0-2), his better efforts have come at longer distances. We expect a solid performance in his reappearance that will set him up for other targets down the road.
WILLOW O WISP (Misnomer), the likely pacesetter, filled that role in last year's Shoemaker before fading to fourth. That pattern has held in his two subsequent outings, when he finished a retreating third in both the Arcadia and the Inglewood H. (G3) most recently. The Vladimir Cerin pupil is always brave on the front end, but with early pressure likely, the best he can realistically hope for is to hold on for a minor award.
The Neil Drysdale-trained Vega's Lord merits consideration after his sharp runner-up effort to Chinese Dragon at Golden Gate last time out, especially since he is eligible to show more in his second start off a layoff. On the other hand, he had the perfect trip in the San Francisco Mile and still couldn't hold off Chinese Dragon. The German-bred had decent form while running in his homeland and could be an exotics player, but we'd be surprised if he turned the tables on our top choice.
Drysdale's other runner, BECRUX (Ity) (Glen Jordan), is an enigma. At his best, the Woodbine Mile S. (Can-G1) winner is a serious threat. The bay gelding hasn't covered himself in glory in two previous outings at Hollywood, however, and he's exiting a tailed-off last in the San Francisco Mile. We won't be surprised if he rebounds here, but Becrux is an inconsistent type that we'd prefer to oppose. CHARMO (Fr) (Charnwood Forest [Ire]) was runner-up to the brilliant Aragorn (Ire) in this race a year ago, but the gray hasn't looked like the same horse since sustaining an injury that required surgery. After having every chance in the San Francisco Mile, he could do no better than third, and his task is considerably stiffer in this spot.
RIGHT SPECIAL (Brz) (Special Nash [Ire]) lined up in a deep allowance in his North American debut and promptly won. The bay could be another smart import for Paulo Lobo, but we'll give him a race at this level first. GET FUNKY (Straight Man) will probably press Willow O Wisp early before tiring late, as he did in the Inglewood. He was no match for Kip Deville in the Sir Beaufort, and he hasn't done anything in the interim to suggest a form reversal. FAST AND FURIOUS (Fr) (Singspiel [Ire]), who was overhauled by Right Special in that aforementioned allowance, isn't as sharp as he used to be.
TRACK BANDIT SELECTIONS: 1st-CHINESE DRAGON
2nd-KIP DEVILLE
3rd-THE TIN MAN
TRACK BANDIT PREVIEWS
GAMELY BREEDERS' CUP S. (G1), 9TH-HOL, $300,000, 3YO/UP, F/M, 1 1/8MT, 5:23 P.M. PDT, 5-28
PP HORSE TRAINER JOCKEY WT
1 PRICE TAG (GB) FRANKEL ROBERT J SOLIS A 123
2 THREE DEGREES (IRE) GALLAGHER PATRICK ESPINOZA V 117
3 CHARM THE GIANT (IRE) MCANALLY RONALD BAZE M C 117
4 CITRONNADE FRANKEL ROBERT J FLORES D R 119
5 SOHGOL (IRE) DRYSDALE NEIL BLANC B 117
6 VACARE CLEMENT CHRISTOPHE VALDIVIA J JR 123
A small but select field of six turf distaffers will go postward in the $300,000 Gamely Breeders' Cup S. (G1) at Hollywood Park on Monday. CITRONNADE (Lemon Drop Kid) has used her early speed as a lethal weapon so far this season, romping by three lengths in the San Gorgonio H. (G2) and by 5 1/4 lengths in the Santa Ana H. (G2) while racking up BRIS Speed ratings of 101 and 102, respectively. With no other front runner in the grassy 1 1/8-mile event, the Bobby Frankel-trained filly will once again play catch-me-if-you-can. The peaking Citronnade could prove very difficult to deny here beneath David Flores, and we'll tab her to avenge her lone career turf loss at the hands of VACARE (Lear Fan).
Vacare brings a perfect five-for-five mark into her California debut. Her most notable success came in the Queen Elizabeth II Invitational Challenge Cup S. (G1) at Keeneland last October, with Citronnade a never-threatening ninth. After that triumph, Vacare was sold for $2.8 million and transferred to Christophe Clement. In her 2007 bow for her new connections, she cruised to a one-length victory in the Magna Distaff S. at Gulfstream Park without ever coming out of second gear. Vacare has tactical speed herself, and new pilot Jose Valdivia Jr. will probably stalk right off Citronnade's flank. If Vacare can summon the triple-digit Late Pace ratings that she routinely posted last year, she may collar Citronnade and preserve her unbeaten status. As the 123-pound co-highweight, however, Vacare will be giving her most dangerous rival four pounds, and that could be the difference.
CHARM THE GIANT (Ire) (Giant's Causeway) is taking a considerable class hike, but she enters the Gamely in career-best form and deserves to take her chance. The Ron McAnally trainee uncorked impressive late kicks to land the Hillsborough H. and the Wilshire H. (G3) in her last two outings, registering Late Pace figures of 109 and 102, respectively. Although she won't get an honest pace up front, Charm the Giant could finish well enough to grab a share at a handsome price.
The Paddy Gallagher-trained THREE DEGREES (Ire) (Singspiel [Ire]) hasn't raced since the San Gorgonio at Santa Anita in January, when she rallied for third behind Citronnade. The confirmed closer won't be helped by the pace scenario, but she likes Hollywood (4-1-2-0). The last time she competed over the Inglewood, California, turf, Three Degrees flew home in the one-mile Matriarch S. (G1) and just failed to reel in PRICE TAG (GB) (Dansili [GB]) by a half-length. The extra furlong of the Gamely should work in favor of Three Degrees.
Conversely, Price Tag hasn't gone farther than a mile so far. Note that the Frankel filly was originally supposed to have run in the Churchill Distaff Turf Mile S. (G3) on Kentucky Derby Day, but she was scratched when the turf came up yielding. The Gamely appears to be a case of calling an audible for Price Tag. Considering that she's unproven at the trip, must tote the co-top weight of 123 pounds, and doesn't stand out on Speed figures, she may be an underlay in this spot.
Wilshire runner-up SOHGOL (Ire) (Singspiel [Ire]) was blown away by Charm the Giant last time out and would need to improve markedly to figure here.
TRACK BANDIT SELECTIONS: 1st-CITRONNADE
2nd-VACARE
3rd-CHARM THE GIANT (Ire)
TRACK BANDIT PREVIEWS
LONE STAR PARK H. (G3), 10TH-LS, $400,000, 3YO/UP, 1 1/16M, 5:47 P.M. CDT, 5-28
PP HORSE TRAINER JOCKEY WT
1 JONESBORO MORSE RANDY L BOREL C H 117
2 REAL DANDY ASMUSSEN STEVEN M QUINONEZ L S 114
3 BOB AND JOHN BAFFERT BOB GOMEZ G K 120
4 SILENT PLEASURE SCARBERRY HOWARD HEBERT T J 120
5 SWEETNORTHERNSAINT TROMBETTA MICHAEL J PINO M G 120
Only five are set to line up in Monday's $400,000 Lone Star Park H. (G3), the featured event on the track's Lone Star Million card. The 1 1/16-mile test is shaping up to be the grudge match between BOB AND JOHN (Seeking the Gold) and SILENT PLEASURE (Real Quiet), and we're going with the latter to defeat his rival again here.
Silent Pleasure first met Bob and John in the Texas Mile S. (G3) at Lone Star on April 28. The Howard Scarberry-trained four-year-old broke on top and led the field until the stretch, where he was headed by Bob and John. Silent Pleasure wasn't about to give up without a fight, though, and battled back to get the neck victory under Tracy Hebert, who returns to the saddle here. The dark bay colt earned a 102 BRIS Speed rating for his game score, which came just 16 days after he captured the Fifth Season S. at Oaklawn Park, where he earned a 104 Speed figure. In fact, the Texas Mile was Silent Pleasure's fourth consecutive stakes win, as he already took the Gulf Coast Classic S. and Delta Mile S. In the Gulf Coast, he had to contend with a muddy track, a likelihood for Memorial Day considering that thunderstorms have been soaking the area and aren't forecast to stop any time soon, giving us just one more reason to pick him on top.
Bob and John has also won a start in the sloppy going, that coming in his biggest win to date, the Wood Memorial (G1) last year. The Bob Baffert charge hasn't had any luck in returning to the winner's circle since, finishing well back in the Kentucky Derby (G1) and Belmont S. (G1) before getting a slight break. He ended his sophomore campaign with a game half-length second in the El Cajon S. at Del Mar in September, then wasn't seen again until making his four-year-old debut in the Texas Mile last out. The dark bay colt probably needed that race off the vacation, but still acquitted himself well and should move forward here. Bob and John will be looking for revenge on Monday and could be the one getting his picture taken under Garrett Gomez.
SWEETNORTHERNSAINT (Sweetsouthernsaint) could be the one who messes up what appears to be a match race. Conditioned by Michael Trombetta, the dark bay four-year-old made his return this year in January, finishing third by a length in the Hal's Hope H. (G3) at Gulfstream Park. Two races later he captured the Harrison E. Johnson Memorial H. at Laurel Park by four, front-running lengths, and was most recently second in the National Jockey Club H. (G3) at Hawthorne Park. The well-traveled gelding has posted nothing but triple-digit Speed ratings this year and has been working bullets at Laurel to prepare for this one. Though he'll be making his first start at Lone Star Park, Sweetnorthernsaint will be challenging for it all on the front end. Mario Pino returns to the saddle.
JONESBORO (Sefapiano) is also an early speed type, but doesn't appear fast enough to keep up with any three of our top picks. The chestnut five-year-old has been going well of late, taking the Essex H. (G3) at Oaklawn before running third in the Razorback Breeders' Cup H. (G3) and fourth in the Oaklawn H. (G2), but is likely just running for fourth-place money.
REAL DANDY (Yankee Victor) appears out of his class against these, but is guaranteed a share as the purse is paid out to fifth place.
TRACK BANDIT SELECTIONS: 1st-SILENT PLEASURE
2nd-BOB AND JOHN
3rd-SWEETNORTHERNSAINT
TRACK BANDIT PREVIEWS
DALLAS TURF CUP H. (G3), 7TH-LS, $200,000, 3YO/UP, 1 1/8MT, 4:23 P.M. CDT, 5-28
PP HORSE TRAINER JOCKEY WT
1 MAJOR RHYTHM BEAM EDWARD FIRES E 116
2 BREGO JACKSON BRUCE L TEJERA EGUARD 113
3 MORE THAN REGAL ASMUSSEN STEVEN M QUINONEZ L S 114
4 WAUPACA VON HEMEL DONNIE K HAMILTON Q 116
5 EMBOSSED (IRE) O'CALLAGHAN NIALL M GOMEZ G K 117
6 CRESTED (GB) DOLLASE WALLACE BRIDGMOHAN S X 115
7 TRIAL BY JURY JACKSON BRUCE L ERAMIA RICHARD 114
With the Grand Prairie, Texas, area being inundated with rain, Lone Star Park officials have taken all turf races since Thursday and switched them to the main track, which has been listed as sloppy, sealed for much of the week. The rain isn't expected to abate anytime soon, so we're going to look for some value in the $200,000 Dallas Turf Cup H. (G3) on Monday and pick a runner who prefers extremely yielding and/or sloppy conditions.
MORE THAN REGAL (More Than Ready) owns only two starts on the turf, but both came at Lone Star Park over yielding conditions. The last of those two came on May 12, when the four-year-old rallied from near the back of a 7 1/2-furlong allowance to take fourth. More Than Regal, winner of three Derbies last year including the Prairie Meadows and Iowa Derby, may be able to put the extra ground in this nine-furlong event to good use and has been working well of late to prepare for this one. The Steven Asmussen trainee is also used to off going on the main track, and at 10-1 on the morning line, could spring an upset here under Luis Quinonez.
WAUPACA (Forest Wildcat) was the winner of that allowance last out, and ran in this event last year when it was listed on yielding ground, finishing third after leading for much of the way. The Donnie Von Hemel trainee is a turf expert at Lone Star, racking up four wins and two thirds from 10 starts over the course, and appears to have the best chance of handling soggy turf if this one stays on the green. The veteran seven-year-old hasn't done so well running on sloppy dirt, but could easily pounce if our top choice falters. Quincy Hamilton has the call.
TRIAL BY JURY (Deputy Minister) is the defending champion from this race last year, getting up at the line for the neck victory. The dark bay eight-year-old really tailed off after that, though, finishing eighth in his final two starts of the year and coming in ninth and last in his 2007 debut most recently in the aforementioned allowance. Trial by Jury probably really needed that race off the near seven-month layoff and could show much more returning to the 1 1/8-mile distance he prefers (4-3-0-0). Richard Eramia will be aboard.
EMBOSSED (Ire) (Mark of Esteem [Ire]) is the class of this field, both on firm and yielding conditions. He was most recently fourth by 1 3/4 lengths in the San Juan Capistrano Invitational H. (G2) and was just three parts of a length back in second on yielding turf in the John B. Connally Breeders' Cup Turf H. (G3). The Niall O'Callaghan charge will be tough to withstand if this one stays on the green, but has finished well-beaten fifths in his only two tries on the dirt, the most recent of which came on a sloppy, sealed surface.
BREGO (In Excess [Ire]), second to Waupaca in the allowance, was sixth in this event last year and, while the five-year-old loves to run second, we don't see him in the mix here. CRESTED (GB) (Fantastic Light) has posted some nice numbers of late but likely won't like the course/track conditions. MAJOR RHYTHM (Rhythm) probably needs more distance and firm going to challenge.
TRACK BANDIT SELECTIONS: 1st-MORE THAN REGAL
2nd-WAUPACA
3rd-TRIAL BY JURY
TRACK BANDIT PREVIEWS
OUIJA BOARD DISTAFF H. (G3), 9TH-LS, $200,000, 3YO/UP, F/M, 1MT, 5:19 P.M. CDT, 5-28
PP HORSE TRAINER JOCKEY WT
1 SWEET IDEA CALHOUN WILLIAM BRET BERRY M C 114
2 BROWNIE POINTS VON HEMEL DONNIE K QUINONEZ L S 118
3 PROSPECTORS SPIRIT GASS MICHAEL A MCNEIL BRYAN 112
4 MY THREE SISTERS ASMUSSEN STEVEN M BRIDGMOHAN S X 115
5 BARBETTE PISH DANNY HAMILTON Q 110
6 RICH FANTASY WERNER RONNY BOREL C H 117
7 D FINE OKIE VON HEMEL DONNIE K PETTINGER D R 114
8 LADY OF VENICE (FR) BIANCONE PATRICK L GOMEZ G K 118
LADY OF VENICE (Fr) (Loup Solitaire) towers over her seven rivals in Monday's $200,000 Ouija Board Distaff H. (G3) at Lone Star Park and, even though she offers no value as the even-money favorite on the morning line, we can't bring ourselves to oppose her in the grassy mile affair.
The Patrick Biancone filly was nothing short of scintillating in her first two American outings last year, sweeping from off the pace to capture the Appalachian S. and Regret S. (G3). She took on older mares in the Diana S. (G1) and wound up a close fifth, beaten only a length for it all after enduring a wide trip on yielding turf, and signed off for the year with a distant second to champion Wait a While (Maria's Mon) in the Lake Placid S. (G2). After returning to action with a workmanlike score in a Keeneland allowance, Lady of Venice was scratched from the Churchill Distaff Turf Mile S. (G3) on Kentucky Derby Day, with Biancone concerned about the yielding turf as well as her condition. Indeed, the ground is the only question mark, as there is considerable rain in the forecast for the Grand Prairie, Texas, area. If Biancone is satisfied enough with the turf to let her run, we'll trust that her class will see her through here. Even if she doesn't totally love the ground, the chestnut should find a way to beat these with Garrett Gomez in the saddle.
MY THREE SISTERS (Defrere) is intriguing at 12-1 on the morning line. A confirmed closer, the Steve Asmussen-trained mare roared home late and just missed in the Irving Distaff S., the local prep for this race. Prior to that, she had been chasing J'ray (Distant View) at Fair Grounds. There should be an honest pace in this spot, and My Three Sisters could come charging with Shaun Bridgmohan to round out the exacta.
The versatile BROWNIE POINTS (Forest Wildcat) was a close runner-up in the Bayakoa S. last time out on the dirt, but she has respectable turf form as well. The chestnut won a couple of grass stakes last season before winding up a one-paced fifth in the Mrs. Revere S. (G2), a much tougher contest than this. Brownie Points should crack the top three with anything resembling her best effort. If the race is forced off the turf, the Donnie Von Hemel trainee would be awfully tough to beat on a sloppy main track. On last year's Lone Star Million Day, she rallied from far back in the slop to take the Stonerside S. Regular rider Luis Quinonez will be back aboard.
RICH FANTASY (Richter Scale) finished a solid third in the Churchill Distaff Turf Mile, setting the pace and leading well into the stretch before being passed by two flying finishers. She didn't exactly throw in the towel on that occasion, and the gray looms as the most dangerous of the speed horses in this softer spot. Note that Rich Fantasy also has an excellent mark in the slop (2-1-1-0), should it come to that. Calvin Borel picks up the mount.
D FINE OKIE (Burbank) is exiting a fourth-place effort in the Irving Distaff, and the Oklahoma-bred would need a career-best to factor. SWEET IDEA (Langfuhr) will likely show speed from the rail before fading. BARBETTE (High Yield) has been well beaten in prior stakes tries. PROSPECTORS SPIRIT (Crafty Prospector) was no match for D Fine Okie two starts back.
TRACK BANDIT SELECTIONS: 1st-LADY OF VENICE (Fr)
2nd-MY THREE SISTERS
3rd-BROWNIE POINTS
TRACK BANDIT PREVIEWS
GOLDEN GATE FIELDS BREEDERS' CUP S. (G3), 9TH-GG, $200,000, 3YO/UP, 1 3/8MT, 5:08 P.M. PDT, 5-28
PP HORSE TRAINER JOCKEY WT
1 FANTASTIC SPAIN DRYSDALE NEIL SCHVANEVELDT C 122
2 NOW VICTORY PEDERSON DEAN ALVARADO F T 122
3 NOTABLE GUEST FRANKEL ROBERT J CHAVEZ J F 122
4 RAILROAD KORINER BRIAN GONZALEZ R M 122
5 MACDUFF (GB) DRYSDALE NEIL BAZE R A 122
6 BOULE D'OR (IRE) GALLAGHER PATRICK ROSARIO JOEL 122
7 BRAVO MAESTRO CECIL B D A MARTINEZ LUIS V 122
8 COREY COUNTY DRYSDALE NEIL LANDEROS CHRIS 122
Of the eight horses entered in Monday's $200,000 Golden Gate Fields Breeders' Cup S. (G3), seven are invading from Southern California in search of black type. The classiest member of the raiding party is NOTABLE GUEST (Kingmambo), who has placed in three of four stateside starts this year for Bobby Frankel. An English Group 3 winner in 2005, the Juddmonte Farms homebred was a close runner-up in the 1 1/4-mile San Marcos S. (G2) in his American debut in January. Notable Guest then stepped up to 12 furlongs for his next three outings, with his best effort being a second in the San Luis Rey H. (G2). The dark bay should prefer turning back slightly to 1 3/8 grassy miles here, and we look for him to assert his authority in this softer spot. Jorge Chavez picks up the mount.
MACDUFF (GB) (Machiavellian) is apparently the best regarded of Neil Drysdale's uncoupled trio, since he has lured Russell Baze into the saddle. The lightly raced gelding has performed well in allowance/optional claiming company, but he was trounced in the Mervin H. Muniz Jr. Memorial H. (G2) at Fair Grounds two back. Perhaps he didn't care for the New Orleans lawn. Macduff is exiting a runner-up effort in a deep allowance at Hollywood Park, in which he split Right Special (Brz) (Special Nash [Ire]) and Fast and Furious (Fr) (Singspiel [Ire]), both of whom are running in Monday's Shoemaker Breeders' Cup Mile S. (G1). In light of his triple-digit BRIS Late Pace numbers, we'll give Macduff another chance at this level.
BOULE D'OR (Ire) (Croco Rouge) has back class from both Europe and Dubai. After rattling home for third in the one-mile Thunder Road H. in his American bow for Paddy Gallagher, the dark bay has disappointed in his three subsequent starts. We still suspect that Boule d'Or is capable of turning in a strong effort on occasion, so we won't leave him out of our top three. Joel Rosario will get acquainted with the dark bay.
The multiple Grade 3-placed FANTASTIC SPAIN (Fantastic Fellow) is the most proven of Drysdale's brigade. The seven-year-old hasn't hit the board in either of his allowance attempts in 2007 going shorter, but the added distance could be exactly what he needs at this point in his career. Chad Schvaneveldt has the call. Four-time stakes hero RAILROAD (Double Honor) is an unknown quantity at the trip, never having been farther than nine furlongs. The Brian Koriner charge has respectable form to his credit, however, and he figures to be involved in the early pace beneath Roberto Gonzalez. Railroad could strike the front when the other speed folds and stay on well enough to earn a small share.
COREY COUNTY (High Yield), Drysdale's final entrant, would need to step up his game quite a bit to be involved at the finish. BRAVO MAESTRO (Stravinsky) has been well beaten in his previous forays into graded company, and we'd like to see how the "blinkers off" move will work before endorsing. NOW VICTORY (Sharp Victor), the only locally-based member of the field, figures to flash speed before giving way.
TRACK BANDIT SELECTIONS: 1st-NOTABLE GUEST
2nd-MACDUFF (GB)
3rd-BOULE D'OR (Ire)
TRACK BANDIT PREVIEWS
WINNING COLORS S. (G3), 10TH-CD, $100,000, 3YO/UP, F/M, 6F, 5:51 P.M. EDT, 5-28
PP HORSE TRAINER JOCKEY WT
1 READY TO PLEASE PLETCHER TODD A ALBARADO R J 118
2 MORNER VANCE DAVID R LEPAROUX JULIEN 118
3 OCEAN CURRENT STEWART DALLAS GUIDRY M 118
4 FLASHY LADY KIRBY FRANK J THERIOT H J II 118
5 MORETHANAPRINCESS FORSTER GRANT T MENA M 118
6 CUABA MOTT WILLIAM I MELANCON L 118
7 MISS MACY SUE VON HEMEL KELLY RAZO E JR 118
8 ARRADOUL BYRNE PATRICK B LANERIE C J 118
Eight fillies and mares have been entered to go six furlongs in the Winning Colors S. (G3) at Churchill Downs, and we're tabbing MISS MACY SUE (Trippi) to come out on top. The Kelly Von Hemel-trained four-year-old began 2007 with a six-length victory in the Carousel S. at Oaklawn Park, earning a 104 BRIS Speed rating. Last out, the dark bay miss was a 6 1/2-length victress of the Prairie Rose S., and has been working bullets of late to prepare for this one. Miss Macy Sue loves the three-quarter distance (12-6-3-1) and could move her 2007 record to a perfect three-for-three with this one.
READY TO PLEASE (More Than Ready) is the heavy 8-5 favorite on the morning line, taking an allowance by three-quarters of a length last out at Churchill Downs. The Todd Pletcher-trained miss captured last year's Fantasy S. (G2) and was in the top three of the Mother Goose S. (G1) and Dogwood Breeders' Cup S. (G3), but tailed off a bit during the winter when switched to the turf against Grade 1 rivals. She moved back to the dirt in the Santa Margarita Invitational H. (G1) two back, finishing fifth, and finally returned to the winner's circle while reverting in distance last out. Ready to Please appears back on top of her game and is the one to beat here under Robby Albarado.
OCEAN CURRENT (Storm Cat) has been the runner-up in her past three races, just caught in her last two after leading in the stretch. The Dallas Stewart charge has yet to finish off-the-board at the distance and owns two seconds at Churchill from three starts. The four-year-old filly's Speed numbers are competitive with others in here, and she could challenge in the top three. Note that Albarado, aboard for five of her last six starts, chose to ride Ready to Please, leaving Mark Guidry to pick up the mount.
MORNER (Broken Vow) loves both the distance and track, and could make a place for herself in the exotics at nice odds if any of our top three falters. The dark bay lass posted a 102 Speed rating for a second in the Very Subtle S. to close out her sophomore season, and recorded a bullet half-mile in :46 4/5 at Churchill on Friday, signaling her readiness to race. Julien Leparoux only adds to the things to like.
CUABA (Smoke Glacken) won her last two races on the dirt, and could show some improvement here while returning to that surface after trying the turf last out. The Bill Mott trainee has been going well of late and could pick up a share. MORETHANAPRINCESS (More Than Ready) tried the Polytrack at Keeneland last out and could also move forward here while returning to the dirt. Consider for the bottom of the gimmicks.
FLASHY LADY (Vision and Verse) has been well beaten by others in here before and we don't see her reversing that form here. ARRADOUL (Dixieland Band) has finished off-the-board only once from five career starts, but might not be fast enough to keep up with these. We'll let her beat us.
TRACK BANDIT SELECTIONS: 1st-MISS MACY SUE
2nd-READY TO PLEASE
3rd-OCEAN CURRENT
TRACK BANDIT PREVIEWS
MEMORIAL DAY H. (G3), 11TH-CRC, $100,000, 3YO/UP, 1 1/16M, 5:40 P.M. EDT, 5-28
PP HORSE TRAINER JOCKEY WT
1 BIG LOVER SALINAS ANGEL C CASTELLANO A JR 115
2 CHEIRON IADISERNIA GIUSEPPE CHIRINOS ROIMES 113
3 DRY MARTINI BENSON HARRY TRUJILLO E 114
4 SIPHON CITY HURTAK DANIEL AGUILAR M 116
5 REXSON'S ROSE ROSE BARRY R HOMEISTER R B J 113
6 TOO MANY TOYZ WHITE WILLIAM P OLIVERO C A 116
7 REHOBOTH GOMEZ FRANK CRUZ M R 115
8 ELECTRIC LIGHT WOLFSON MARTIN D NUNEZ E O 114
Eight horses will line up for the $100,000 Memorial Day H. (G3) at Calder on Monday, and we'll tab TOO MANY TOYZ (Northern Afleet) to earn his first graded stakes win.
The Bill White trainee got off to a successful start in his 2007 debut, as he was never headed en route to his first stakes win in the Sumter S., defeating ELECTRIC LIGHT (Silver Ghost), BIG LOVER (Ecton Park) and REHOBOTH (Wagon Limit) while scoring 100 BRIS Speed and 107 E2 Pace ratings for the effort. Too Many Toyz loves Calder (12-6-2-1) and the 1 1/16-mile trip (5-4-1-0), and he seems primed to score again over his home track.
Electric Light stayed on the turf for his first five races of 2007. Although he didn't win, he turned in solid efforts to place each time while facing the likes of Ashkal Way (Ire) (Ashkalani) and Remarkable News (Ven) (Chayim). Electric Light switched back to the main track in the Sumter and chased our top selection, winding up 2 3/4 lengths back in second. The Marty Wolfson pupil could improve in his second start back on the dirt.
Rehoboth captured the Carl G. Rose Classic H. at Calder last year, with Too Many Toyz fading to last. Two back, Rehoboth rallied in deep stretch to barely miss winning his first graded stakes in the Skip Away H. (G3). Both races were at his preferred 1 1/8 miles, and the Frank Gomez-trained colt hasn't had much luck at 1 1/16 miles (7-1-0-4). Still, Rehoboth has enough class and should be good for show honors.
DRY MARTINI (Slew Gin Fizz) looks like he has potential to upset our top three. The gray gelding has scored triple-digit Speed numbers in his past two starts, including an 8 3/4-length romp against allowance/optional claiming company. Big Lover figures to save ground from his rail post, and we'll use the late runner on the bottom of our exotics.
CHEIRON (Maria's Mon) has been disposed of by several others in here. REXSON'S ROSE (Suave Prospect), although a useful performer in the allowance/optional claiming ranks, has been well beaten in his previous stakes attempts. Defending champion SIPHON CITY (Siphon [Brz]) was on a win streak until he faced Horse of the Year Invasor (Arg) (Candy Stripes) last year and hasn't done well since. We'll pass.
TRACK BANDIT SELECTIONS: 1st-TOO MANY TOYZ
2nd-ELECTRIC LIGHT
3rd-REHOBOTH
TRACKMASTER RACE OF THE DAY
Today's Free Race: Hollywood Park for Monday May 28, 2007
Handicapped by The Turf Club Analysts at Hollywood Park
Hollywood Park - Race #5 - Post: 3:34pm
Rating:
Choice Plays:
#7 YES MASTER (ML=8/1)
#9 GOTTHATFEELING (ML=6/1)
#6 JEALOUS PROFIT (ML=6/1)
#10 LIVER (ML=15/1)
YES MASTER - I like this gelding a lot here. He shows a lot of consistency, finishing in the money frequently. GOTTHATFEELING - All systems look good for this gelding. Last morning work, 2nd fastest of the day, shows he's fit and ready. JEALOUS PROFIT - Jock hops back on after getting to know the horse by riding last time out. That's always a good thing. LIVER - This jockey and conditioner's animals have been producing a positive ROI.
Vulnerable Contenders: #5 TEMECULA CREEK (ML=3/1), #8 HEWITTS (ML=7/2), #4 POINT OF IMPACT (ML=6/1)
TEMECULA CREEK - Will probably be educated to pay some respect to his elders today. HEWITTS - Morning line odds of 7/2 make this horse a pass by my examination. POINT OF IMPACT - Hasn't hit the board in any sprint races of late. Not probable to see him doing it in today's event either. Unlikely for this pony to do much in today's event. The very long layoff is a troublesome sign.
STRAIGHT WAGERS:
Bet on #7 YES MASTER to win if we can get at least 4/1 odds
EXACTA WAGERS:
Box [6,7,9]
__________________
Mike Superstein's Hollywood Park Analysis for Monday, May 28
RACE ONE
CHANEL MY BELLE is the logical selection in this small field. She broke her maiden cleverly for $40,000 April 1, which got her eligible for this starter allowance test, then was a good third against similar opening week. CHEESE FACE found a mile and one-sixteenth a bit too far and should relish this 7 1-2 furlong distance. She broke her maiden by 10 in her previous start. CHESTNUT CHIPS upset cheap maidens with an eye-catching stretch run. However the race was slow and the competition weak.
RACE TWO
AWESOME GRAF faltered as the odds-on favorite at Santa Anita, but has been given time to regroup by John Sadler. His best race is good enough to win this. EAGLE RIDGE has been a big disappointment for Neil Drysdale, but the drop to the $32,000 level might wake him up. Red-hot apprentice Joe Talamo takes over. SILVER WIND has been meeting straight maidens recently with moderate results. He'll appreciate the drop in class.
RACE THREE
Usually South American imports need a few races in the United Stakes to acclimate. Not HERALDO. The Mike Puype trainee faced a small field February 19, lagged behind, then stormed home to take his American debut by a widening length and one-half. There's an abundance of speed today to set up his late charge. GRINDING IT OUT ran super in his first start over the Cushion. However, he was allowed to set a leisurely pace and will have to be used hard today to maintain his position. BLACK SEVENTEEN has turned into a top-notch sprinter for Brian Koriner. If his connections keep him racing around one turn, he'll make a lot of money. This race will mark his first crack at older runners.
RACE FOUR
ALLISON'S ART, an Irish bred, English raced import, ran a terrific race in her U.S. debut. She made a huge move while wide, had a brief lead in the stretch then got a little tired to finish second. With that race under her belt, she'll be double tough this time around. JUST KNOCK has been the beaten favorite twice in a row for Bobby Frankel and last time finished three lengths back of the top one. She'd better start getting her act together. TEE OFF came flying late after a slow start. Look out as Espinoza rides back.
RACE FIVE
In a difficult race the edge goes to TEMECULA CREEK. 'CREEK was unlucky to run into Black Seventeen after nine months on the sidelines and finished a credible second. He worked twice since that race and should find seven furlongs right up his alley. HEWITTS will be well supported on the strength of a romping maiden victory May 5. He'll be reunited with David Flores, who rode the ridgling first time out. GOTTHATFEELING showed quarterhorse-type fractions of 20 4/5 and 43 1/5 before blowing an early eight-length advantage. His dilemma today is to outrun Yes Master early without having to go quite that fast.
RACE SIX
MCNASTY took a nosedive in class April 27 and responded with a rail-skimming victory. Today's triple jump is a clear signal that he came out of that race in good order. SUNDAY NAP was the runnerup in his last two starts. The veteran gelding must always be taken seriously, as evidenced by his 14 of 21 in the money slate. SMOKIN FOREST takes a slight drop after being claimed by Ted West in February. He hasn't won in quite some time, but is usually in the battle.
RACE SEVEN
The Grade I Shoemaker Mile always comes up tough, and today's edition is no exception. KIP DEVILLE has won three in a row, all at a mile, and last time out defeated hotshot Showing Up. His stalking style gives him a tremendous advantage in a bulky field. THE TIN MAN seems to get better the older he gets. Now nine, 'TIN also reeled off three straight at the end of last year, including the Arlington Million and C L Hirsch, both Grade 1's. His recent drills have been sensational and indicate that he's fit enough to win off the bench. CHARMO hasn't quite lived up to the promise he displayed in his first few American starts, but is still formidable. He used the recent San Francisco Mile as a tuneup for this.
RACE EIGHT
INSTANT ACTION ran second in his debut, an effort that would have been good enough to win 99 percent of the time. He made all the pace before being run down by Silver Stetson Man in a race that was unbelievably fast for the day. 'INSTANT was also more than seven lengths clear of the third place finisher. Take whatever price you can get. I'M ALL OUT has been second in four of his five starts. Guess where he'll finish today. LATIN RHYTHMS came charging down the hillside course only to fall a head short. He's trained well over the Cushion and should get another piece of the purse.
RACE NINE
VACARE has taken on all comers and remains unblemished in five starts. She's won at three different tracks, has a versatile style, and may be on her way to becoming one of the all time great distaffers. Today's race will be a stern test, as she must face the Frankel duo of CITRONNADE and PRICE TAG. CITRONNADE comes off a career best, winning the Santa Anita Handicap by daylight. She's better prepared than the last time she faced VACARE, when she finished six lengths behind her in the Q E II Cup at Keeneland. PRICE TAG is unbeaten in two American starts. She captured the Matriarch over this course in November. The only concern with 'TAG is that she's never run this far.
RACE TEN
In a last race baffler, we'll give a slender edge to PAPAGO ROAD. He was an okay third in his first try at this level and gets a five-pound weight break with bug boy Joe Talamo up. DIXIE BANKER moves further down in class and adds blinkers in an attempt to turn things around. This once highly regarded gelding has been a major disappointment for his connections. BUDDYANDROWDY closes well at times, but has had little success over synthetic surfaces. He'll need a lively pace to contend.
Best Bet-INSTANT ACTION (8)
__________________
Calder
Analysis:: by Ron Nicoletti
12:50PM
Race 1 -
6 SHORTY PUFFS drops after an eventful $40K debut in which she bumped and steadied at the start prior to finishing fifth. Trainer Larry Pilotti, 18% with horses making their second start, has en fuego jock Eduardo Nunez in the irons. 5 THREE HAIL MARYS will wear blinkers after showing speed and fading to finish fourth vs. similar in her 4 1/2-furlong debut. 2 MAGIC TUNE poses an interesting handicapping dilemma. The daughter of Concorde's Tune debuts for strong first-out trainer Steve Standridge, but she's working slowly for her career debut. Maybe the tote action will tell us more about her chances to win at first asking.
6-5-2
Race 2 -
6 CONSTITUTION RIVER looked like a son of super sire Storm Cat when he drew off to defeat first-level allowance runners at Tampa by 5 1/4 lengths, which was his first race since finishing third at Saratoga last Aug. 3 CALL ME PETE, 3 for 3 in the money on the Calder sod (3-2-0-1), makes his first start since chasing the pace and fading vs. stakes caliber competition in a 5-furlong turf sprint at Tampa. Trainer Kirk Ziadie, 38% with the 61-180 day layoff, has Elvis Trujillo in the irons. 8 ALL HAIL STORMY debuts locally for trainer Bill White after a solid turf sprint campaign in New York for Hall Of Fame trainer Allen Jerkens. Note that trainer White has a 28% win average with new acquisitions to his shed row. 2 EL BANDITO ROJO will shift to the turf after edging away to defeat first-level allowance runners here on the main track.
6-3-8-2
Race 3 -
3 EL PROFETA drops in for a $25K tag after stalking the pace and finishing fourth vs. maiden special weight competition at 4 1/2 furlongs. The most seasoned runner in the field is spotted for success. 2 GET READY is a son of More Than Ready who has trained consistently enough to be a factor in his career debut. Trainer Tim Ritvo adds Lasix and Jose Lopez for this assignment. 6 LUCRATIVE DEAL is a Kinsman Farm homebred son of Diligence debuting for trainer Gregory Griffith with Lasix and jockey Abdiel Toribio added to the mix. 1 GONNA FLEE, a half to Tropical Park Oaks runner up Careless Heiress, makes his career debut with a string of 'out of town' workouts showing in preparation for this assignment.
3-2-6-1
Race 4 -
6 TEOFILO is turning back to a mile and a sixteenth after notching his second consecutive turf victory when he defeated this caliber of competition at 9 furlongs. 2 FAMOUS FROLIC should have the screw tightened in his second start back from the layoff after chasing the pace and weakening to finish 3 lengths behind Teofilo at 9 furlongs. 8 TISSY FIT is turning back to his most accomplished distance (11-4-2-1) after encountering traffic on the far turn (steadied) when finishing less than 3 lengths behind Teofilo last out. Trainer Norm Pointer has Manoel Cruz handling the rematch.
6-2-8
Race 5 -
4 AMERICANISM will face "two-lifetime" competition after rallying to defeat $25K maidens, as the favorite, in his local return the distance. Leading trainer Kathleen O'Connell tabs Roimes Chirinos to ride as leading jock Manoel Cruz moves to 1A GREGORY. The gelding, part of an Alan Benson entry, returns to the main track after encountering trouble in a $25K "two-lifetime" claimer on the turf. 5 SIR BRANDON steps up after drawing clear to wallop $12.5K maidens at the distance by 8 lengths.
4-1-5
Race 6 -
2 AMERICAN BORDER drops into this $25K "two-lifetime" claimer after hitting the board in 2 of 4 recent turf races vs. better competition. Trainer Jose Pinchin has Manoel Cruz atop the 1-for-17 daughter of Boundary. 10 GOLDEN CITIES drops after following her commanding 7-length score on the dirt vs. $32K maidens with a chase-and-fade performance vs. $40K claimers in her local turf debut. The lightly raced daughter of Coronado's Quest is spotted perfectly. 4 BRILLIANT LOVER is hoping to find more for the stretch drive after dueling early and fading late to finish third at this level and distance. 6 HEAVEN'S LIGHT, 2 for 6 in the money on this course, tries conditioned claimers after a troubled outing (steadied start) vs. multiple winners.
2-10-4-6
Race 7 -
7 MAGGIE'S SHAMROCK is turning back slightly after fading to finish third behind next-out winner Snappy Blue in her local return at a mile and a sixteenth. 5 LET'S GO OUT WEST gets the blinkers removed after stalking the pace and fading to finish fourth behind Maggie's Shamrock last out. Note that the daughter of Westminster has run well at the distance in the past (Dec. 31). 8 C QUEEN RIDGE is stretching out after gaining 3-wide to finish third in the slop vs. similar at 7 furlongs. She looks good in a field that is a combined zero-for-109.
7-5-8
Race 8 -
2 LAKE GOLD VIVA showed a fondness for the local sod when she dueled for the lead and yielded late to finish second vs. $40K maidens at the distance. Her biggest challenge should come from 10 ACE KICKER. The daughter of Millennium Wind makes her first start since she circled 4-wide to finish second in front of Lake Gold Viva in their Gulfstream turf finale on Apr. 22. 4 BANK ON SILVER, 1 for 2 in the money on this surface last year, returns after rallying to come within a head of defeating $25K maidens across town. 8 LIZA ANN is eligible to offer more after making a middle move and fading to sixth behind Lake Gold Viva last out. Elvis Trujillo handles the rematch.
2-10-4-8
Race 9 -
7 CRAFTMANSHIP, now in the Wesley Ward barn, will wear blinkers again after drawing away to defeat $8K maidens at Tampa by almost 4 lengths. Trainer Ward, 22% with the tenants to his shed row, tabs Jordan Springer to ride. 4 RUPERT'S RELICS, beaten a length here at this level in Dec., drops after breaking slowly and failing to earn a check when skipping a condition in a pair of "three-lifetime" claimers at Gulfstream. 3 GO SHORTY figures to grab a share after encountering trouble entering the turn (steadied) when finishing third behind next-out winner War Scandal at this level and distance. 11 SECRET ACCOUNT is turning back after fading to finish fifth behind aforementioned repeat winner War Scandal at 7 furlongs.
7-4-3-11
Race 10 -
6 CENTERFIRE drops after a respectable local return vs. $16K "two-lifetime" claimers in which he chased the pace and finished fourth. 2 AMIGO DO PEITO, who finished third in front of Centerfire on Apr. 29, turns back after losing all chance when he broke in the air vs. similar at 6 1/2 furlongs. 7 FRISKY FLYER is turning back after breaking from Post 11, dueling for the lead, and then fading to finish fourth behind similar at 6 1/2 furlongs. 5 SOUTHERN FORMALITY, beaten a half-length at this distance here on Apr. 25, turns back after a 5-wide trip produced a fifth place finish behind Frisky Flyer.
6-2-7-5
Race 11 - THE MEMORIAL DAY HANDICAP (G3)
3 DRY MARTINI has trained sharply since the strong campaign at Gulfstream in which he followed a troubled fourth place finish in the million-dollar Sunshine Millions Classic with a monster allowance/claiming score at 9 furlongs. 6 TOO MANY TOYZ won for the sixth time here when he returned from the layoff to defeat many of these in the $50K Sumter. Trainer Bill White has Carlos Olivero in the saddle again. 7 REHOBOTH, a multiple stakes winner here, who was beaten head in the Grade 3 Skip Away across town, should offer more after finishing fourth behind Too Many Toyz, as the favorite, in the Sumter. 8 ELECTRIC LIGHT was supplemented into the race by always-dangerous trainer Marty Wolfson after finishing second behind Too Many Toyz last out.
3-6-7-8
Race 12 -
6 GOWER is stretching out to 6 1/2 furlongs after a sharp local return in which he rallied to finish second to hard-knocking multiple stakes winner Weigelia in the $100K Ponche Handicap. 5 BUCHAREST was game in defeat when he recovered from a poor start to finish fast-closing ground-saving second behind red-hot 4 WILD NATURE last out. The latter is stretching out after notching the second victory in his last three starts when drew off to defeat stakes caliber competition, including Bucarest, Qureall, and Blue Pepsi Lodge.
6-5-4
Race 13 -
3 CLASSIC SET is turning back after setting a pressured pace and getting beat a half-length vs. similar in her promising 6 1/2-furlong debut. She should be odds-on in the nightcap. 7 IRISH FIGHT makes her South Florida debut after posting speed figures good enough to beat this caliber of competition at Delta Downs. 9 WINDY PRINCESS is stretching out an additional furlong after rallying to finish in front of half the field when facing similar at five-eighths of a mile. 4 HALO'S MUSIC is turning back slightly after rallying to finish fourth behind Classic Set in their recent clash at 6 1/2 furlongs.
BEST BET: RACE 11 - DRY MARTINI
LONG SHOT: RACE 8 - KIPPER TYME
3-7-9-4
__________________
Belmont
By Art Gropper
BEST BET: Nerve (6th race)
First Race
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1. Raw Cat 2. On the Margin 3. Dontess
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RAW CAT has been knocking on the door at this level and the trainer goes back to it's top win rider for this. Projects to be a force from start to finish. ON THE MARGIN just missed vs.a repeat winner and exits a pair of Beyer speed figure Tops, while getting a positive rider change. DONTESS graduated in 15th attempt, but was in very good form in the maiden ranks and the barn began the Belmont Park meet sizzling.
Second Race
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1. Brian's Cat Can Do 2. Saturday's Cat 3. Seeking No More
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BRIAN'S CAT CAN DO received a very tentative ride in latest, steadying between horses and never getting a fair chance to race. New pilot has been hotter than anyone in the room the past 10 days and a more aggressive attempt should do it. SATURDAY'S CAT has been right there at the finish of last 3 turf starts with New York-breds. Likely needed last start when game from post 11; the one to beat. SEEKING NO MORE gets 1st blinkers after troubled in turf debut here. Gets additional yardage and the Eclipse Award-winning pilot for the 1st time. Main Track Only entrants FINAL AUTHORITY completely missed the break in career debut.
Third Race
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1. Commentator 2. Shaky Town 3. Executive Search
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COMMENTATOR was the last horse to beat 2005 Horse of the Year Saint Liam and was 1-5 odds when crushing rivals in a similar 2006 spot here. Looms the shortest price favorite of the day and anything close to his best wins 5th straight New York-bred event. SHAKY TOWN seems the major danger after finishing a close 3rd in a key Keeneland event. The 2-for-4 Belmont main track record is hard to ignore, but may be just running for 2nd money vs. the pick. EXECUTIVE SEARCH rallied well behnd a quick winner, but has settled for many minor awards during career.
Fourth Race
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1. Winstrella 2. Cheetah Trail 3. Marital Asset
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WINSTRELLA was 2nd best to Preakness winner Curlin in career debut and is bred for stardom, a sibling to Grade 2 Colonial Minstrel (556K). Won by 7 lengths in New York debut and seems very much on the improve. CHEETAH TRAIL chased a quick winner in last and style suggests the added distance will help the cause. MARITAL ASSET burned money when steadying in traffic vs. winners. Sibling to G1 Yonaguska (535K) has never run a bad race in career.
Fifth Race
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1. Back to Mandalay 2. Speaking Out 3. Gulch Fever
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BACK TO MANDALAY appears ready for much better competition after seeing his romp over maidens with something left. Runnerup in latest runs in race 2 to get a better gauge, but son of a 150K turf dam breezed nicely for this. SPEAKING OUT needed his last start and won going this far at Saratoga. Must overcome the draw, but should be flying late. GULCH FEVER fired 2 biggies on grass at this level and the only concern is if his late kick comes up too late. THUNDERESTIMATE graduated when making 1st start in nearly 9 months, then drilled a sod bullet for 1st test with winners.
Sixth Race
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1. Nerve 2. Reverberate 3. Indian War Dance
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NERVE was absolutely awesome in his Calder 3-year-old debut and will get a weight break today, facing older rivals. Latest eye-catching romp signalled he's ready for much better competetion and will get the class tested here. REVERBERATE was not beating Oratory in the 2005 Peter Pan over the track and this is arguably his easiest spot since that effort. Is 0-for-10 at every other track but Belmont, so the horse for course theory applies. INDIAN WAR DANCE is also entered at Monmouth Park today and seems to be entered and scratched every day this week. 3-year-old stakes winner is seeking the correct level.
Seventh Race
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1. Banrock 2. Pays to Dream 3. Ready Enough
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BANROCK immediately perked up his form when placed on turf 13 months ago. Sibling to 287K grasser Finlandia ended 2006 with a new Beyer Top when 3rd to a repeat winner. Can he win off nearly 8 months away is the lone dilemma. PAYS TO DREAM saved best for grass and the bettors made him the favorite that day, because his graduation was so impressive. READY ENOUGH finished behind the top pick last year, but goes back to the win surface after 4 consecutive blah efforts on dirt; clearly needs the green. OPTIMISTIC STEVE missed the start vs. open company and is back in with New York-breds. Ranked as the top Main Track Only entrant.
Eighth Race
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1. Lawyer Ron 2. Silver Wagon 3. Latent Heat
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LAWYER RON has disappointed previously in Grade 1 spots, but appears ready for primetime after toying Oaklawn Handicap rivals. Lone loss for the Pletcher barn was facing champions Invasor and Bernardini in last year's 'Classic. There's a ton of early speed signed on for this, which only helps his massive stretch punch. SILVER WAGON exploded late to score in the Carter and should get another rapid pace to rally into. Is it possible he's peaking as a 6-year-old? LATENT HEAT was part of a duel in the Carter and is hoping some of the other speed scratch out. Both of his Belmont victories were extremely impressive, so eligible to improve on this surface.
Ninth Race
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1. Perfect Bullet 2. Advanced Signs 3. Ambassador
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PERFECT BULLET was nosed in latest and is bred all over for the green, a son of 13-for-19 grasser Perfect Sting (2.1M turf). Both the 4th and 6th-place finishers from last graduated at Belmont next out. Gets 1st Lasix for this. ADVANCED SIGNS displayed a potent stretch kick at Gulfstream and while the turf pedigree doesn't particularly stand out, the added distance is a huge plus. AMBASSADOR chased a sharp GP invader when making much-improved lawn debut. Seems to have a future on this surface.
Tenth Race
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1. Truth Or Dare 2. Kal El 3. Renown
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TRUTH OR DARE has not gotten a favorable trip in either of first two starts and was the betting favorite in 2nd start mostly due to a nightmare unveiling. Dam was a turf winner and Prado's back for the diploma for the biggest drop in racing. KAL EL lacked stamina going long, but this distance should fit him perfectly. RENOWN just missed in last when flying late and the shorter distance is the biggest concern. Rallied to finish 4th in this spot vs. a repeat winner in 2005.
__________________
Keith Line MLB Therom System:
Angles
Phillies
Hondo Bets Against the Twins
The Indians were givers last night as they tripped the Tigers on Hondo's behalf, which enabled him to move back into triple figures at 135 hoaks above sea level.
Today, Jose can you pitch? Ten units on Contreras and the Pale Hose to stifle the Twins
Players of America
12-3 last 15 plays.
EARLY PAID SELECTIONS:
(1*) Cinci Reds
Ats Lock Club
3 Spurs
3 O's
3 Yankees
Larry Ness
The New York Yankees are still looking for answers. They'll start their longest road trip of the season Monday night when they play the first of three games against the Toronto Blue Jays. New York fell six games below .500 after being swept over the weekend by the Los Angeles Angels. The Yankees (21-27) have dropped 11 of 16 and trail first-place Boston by 12 1/2 games in the AL East. This 10-game road trip will be a tough one for New York, which plays three contests at Boston next weekend before going to Chicago to face the White Sox for four games. The Yankees are 4-9 against the teams they face on the trip. New York is MLB's worst team vs the moneyline, sitting at minus-$2,007 (at $100/game)! Rookie Matt De Salvo (1-1, 5.29 E
