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TRACK BANDIT PREVIEWS
West Virginia Derby (G3) winner BRIGHT ONE (Dance Brightly) is clearly the one to beat in Saturday night's lucrative Indiana Derby (G2) at Hoosier Park. The Dale Romans-trained colt broke his maiden by 9 1/2 lengths at Churchill Downs, running one mile in 1:33 4/5, then returned to capture the one-mile Forestry H. under the Twin Spires by an easy 7 1/4 lengths. In the West Virginia Derby, Bright One set fast fractions before drawing of to a 5 3/4-length victory, earning a 107 BRIS Speed rating. Since then, he has been training forwardly, and a victory in the Indiana Derby could propel him toward the Breeders' Cup Classic (G1) on November 4. Juvenile stakes winner LEWIS MICHAEL (Rahy) finished a close second to Sunriver (Saint Ballado) in the Peter Pan S. (G2) at Belmont Park earlier this year and most recently was a better-than-appears third in the St Louis Derby. The Wayne Catalano trainee has excellent tactical speed, but he will have to work out a trip from the far outside post position. Lewis Michael has plenty of talent and is the primary threat. CIELO GOLD (Conquistador Cielo) was a fast-closing second to Bright One in the West Virginia Derby and a wide fourth in the St. Louis Derby. The dark bay will be running late and is our sleeper. He should be used in the vertical exotics. New York shipper STAR DABBLER (Saint Ballado) finished second to Henny Hughes (Hennessy) in the seven-furlong King's Bishop S. (G1) at Saratoga in his last start. The bay is well drawn on the rail for his first start around two turns and must be respected. DR. PLEASURE (Thunder Gulch) exits a distant third-place finish in the prestigious Travers S. (G1) and projects an up-close stalking trip. He could light the board. SMOKEYJONESSUTTON (You and I) came alive for conditioner Dallas Stewart with a game runner-up effort in the St. Louis Derby in his latest. He is clearly a sophomore on the rise and is worth a second look under Victor Espinoza. The D. Wayne Lukas-trained SIMON PURE (Silver Deputy) beat a tough allowance field at Saratoga in his last start and could earn a share with improvement. MANTOLOKING (Unbridled's Song) exits back-to-back allowance victories at Monmouth Park and brings rider Joe Bravo. This may be too much too soon, however. JACINTH (Crafty Prospector) figures to add to the early pace but would have to improve to factor at this level. Ohio-bred stakes winner ACTS LIKE A KING (Part the Waters) has the look of a useful sort, but he is in tough here. Southern California shipper PLUG ME IN (Hold for Gold) has made a very long journey and will face a very strong group. He seems unlikely. SUMMER GULCH (Brolly) finished third for $7,500 claiming last out and is overmatched.
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