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TRACK BANDIT PREVIEWS
An excellent field of eight will go postward in the aptly named $150,000 Firecracker H. (G2) over the Churchill Downs turf on Saturday. The ultra-talented SEASPEAK (Mizzen Mast) went postward at 1-5 odds at Lone Star Park last out and did not disappoint, rolling home to a facile 4 3/4-length win in the Dallas Turf Cup H. (G3) for conditioner Ralph Nicks. The classy four-year-old has never been thoroughly beaten in his fine career and couldn't be any sharper presently, so the Kentucky-bred rates a huge chance in here if he can step up just a touch. Robby Albarado has the assignment. PASSAGER (Fr) (Anabaa) can stand up to anything in this field for conditioner Roger Attfield. The smart gelding has been in the mix in all four of his starts since arriving in the United States, but he's failed to close the door on each occasion and is still looking for his first elusive win stateside. He's going to break through eventually, but we'll look for the six-year-old to settle for the place spot beneath Jono Jones. WISE RIVER (Belong to Me) has won or placed in seven of nine tries over this course for Clark Hanna and comes into this event in razor-sharp form. The six-year-old shows a pair of excellent recent preps in advance of this day, and his superb tactical speed gives him a big shot against these. Jamie Theriot will guide the gelding, who should be prominent from the outset. Maker's Mark Mile S. (G1) star MR. SIDNEY (Storm Cat) didn't show much late in his dirt try in the Metropolitan H. (G1) last out and returns to his preferred surface in this difficult test for Bill Mott. The late-developing five-year-old has a nice turn of foot and is proven over firm and soft turf, so he's an obvious threat even if he will be overbet. Kent Desormeaux will be in the irons. Dual Grade 1 victor THORN SONG (Unbridled's Song) took on the best in the west last out and never wavered, wiring the Shoemaker Mile S. (G1) for Dale Romans. The Churchill-loving gray has four local wins, including a tally in this contest a year ago, but we're concerned about the inconsistent nature of the Kentucky-bred and the fact that he's done a lot of shipping as of late. He could easily prove us wrong, but we're going to omit Thorn Song and look elsewhere. TIZDEJAVU (Tiznow) has won each of his three starts over this lawn for Gregory Fox, including a four-length romp in the Jefferson Cup S. (G2) in the fall. The talented front runner would surely like to see a little give in the lawn, but even with that, it's hard to envision him taking this field all the way beneath Jon Court. We'll only dabble with this one in the lower rungs of the exotics. INCA KING (Sir Cat) is a dual stakes winner over this course and is often a threat on or near the lead for Steve Asmussen. The gelded five-year-old has not impressed thus far in 2009 and is facing a severe test in here, so we'll have to look elsewhere on this occasion. Appleton H. (G3) runner-up ARCTIC CRY (Rahy) is drawn widest of all in here and is a question mark against this caliber of horse, so we'll take a pass on the Eddie Kenneally charge.
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