|
|
TRACK BANDIT PREVIEWS
Talented two-year-old TERRAIN (Sky Mesa) leads an intriguing field of 10 postward in the lucrative $750,000 Delta Jackpot S. (G3) on Friday evening. The Albert Stall Jr. charge was elevated to first in the Arlington-Washington Futurity S. (G3), finished a solid second in the Breeders' Futurity (G1) and rallied strongly into a slow pace to record a fourth-place finish in the Breeders' Cup Juvenile (G1) in his last three efforts, and he's the class of the field. The chestnut is unbeaten in his two starts on dirt and steadily improving, but we find that this may be the time to try to beat him at short odds while racing over a quirky surface and against a deep group. We'll tab TRINITY MAGIC (Performing Magic) for the win. The New York-bred has made short work of a pair of stakes fields in the Empire State, and the Steve Asmussen trainee will be plenty tough with a repeat of his last against these well-matched rivals. The colt aced his first test at Saratoga and has improved with added ground, posting a sparkling 103 BRIS Speed number last out for his seven-length tally in the Sleepy Hollow S. While the chestnut has never been two turns and is losing his pilot, he still looks like the one to run down late here. The capable Calvin Borel will be in the irons. WEST SIDE BERNIE (Bernstein), who took the Kentucky Cup Juvenile S. (G3), earned a whopping 116 BRIS Late Pace number in the Breeders' Cup Juvenile when finishing a rallying sixth for Kelly Breen, and we give the dark bay a big chance versus these. A good-looking winner in his debut, the Kentucky-bred has a big late kick and proved his affinity for this oval with a bullet :47 3/5 half-mile drill in advance of the Jackpot. Elvis Trujillo, who guided West Side Bernie in his debut, will be reunited with the potential upsetter. Terrain would be a logical pick and no surprise in here, but we fear that the gelding will be overbet on this day. The one-run closer is likely better on the synthetic oval and late runners are at a bit of a disadvantage at Delta, so it makes sense to try to upend the homebred, even with the addition of blinkers. BIG DRAMA (Montbrook) has been awesome for David Fawkes, rolling home in his last four outings, including a sweep of the Florida Stallion Series. The dark bay colt has excellent tactical speed and ranks first in BRIS Prime Power, but we've often seen Calder lovers unable to take their show on the road. We'll tread lightly while acknowledging this one's ability. With $750,000 on the line, one can't blame conditioner Mark Casse for taking a shot with solid turf performer SKIPADATE (Skip Away), but we can't endorse him for the win. The gray colt just missed in both the Summer S. (G3) and With Anticipation S., and while we'll try to beat him on top, we'll use him to complete some exotic wagers. Casse's other entry, Grey S. (Can-G3) third-placer STIMULUS PLAN (Jump Start), is also unproven over dirt but has shown some talent. He also merits consideration for the gimmicks. THREE PART HARMONY (Concerto) has never left Calder and possesses just a maiden win, but the Jose Pinchin trainee has finished first or second in four straight, three of which have come in stakes. The bay colt has a knack for settling for minor awards, but he should be a big price and isn't that far off from the top contenders. RETAP (Tapit) gives Asmussen a strong one-two punch in here, as this colt was last seen finishing second in the Kentucky Cup. The Kentucky-bred has finished second in three straight following a sharp maiden tally and has trained well in preparation of this, so it would be unwise to dismiss this one completely with Asmussen's number one rider, Shaun Bridgmohan, aboard. KICK ON (Wiseman's Ferry) has run off four straight wins for Joe Petalino, capped by tallies in the Remington M.E.C. Mile S. and Jean Lafitte S. in his last pair. The Florida-bred is well drawn on the rail and clearly has talent, but he may be a cut below the best in here. Smart El Joven S. hero VALID MESSAGE (Valid Expectations) is drawn widest of all and faces a difficult task after losing twice in the maiden claiming ranks in his only two dirt tries.
 Send this article to a friend
|
| ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
