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TRACK BANDIT PREVIEWS
Seven sprinters will settle Saturday's $150,000 Aristides Breeders' Cup S. (G3) at Churchill Downs, and we're not sure what to do with FABULOUS STRIKE (Smart Strike). He's been earning incredible BRIS Speed ratings at Mountaineer Park, including a 122 three starts back, and looms as the probable pacesetter with his early speed. Fabulous Strike looks very dangerous, but we'll use SAINT ANDDAN (A.P. Indy) on top. Trained by Bobby Frankel, the late-blooming Saint Anddan made his stakes bow two starts back, winning the Duncan F. Kenner Breeders' Cup S. at Fair Grounds. The five-year-old was dismissed at 8-1 in the Churchill Downs S. (G2) last time out and turned in a big performance, sitting just off the lead before seizing command at the top of the stretch, and the bay horse earned a career-best 103 Speed rating. Saint Anddan is going very well presently and likes racing under the Twin Spires (3-2-0-1). We like his chances. GAFF (Maria's Mon) is one-for-one on Churchill's main track, posting an impressive allowance victory, and the stalker figures to sit a perfect trip in this race. The Steve Asmussen runner exits a sharp score in the Aegon Turf Sprint S. (G3), a five-furlong turf affair on Kentucky Oaks (G1) day, and the versatile five-year-old can switch surfaces effectively. Gaff owns three wins at the six-furlong distance, and he could add to that total on Saturday. GREG'S GOLD (Lake George) will attempt to capitalize upon a hot pace with a ferocious late rally. Winner of the 2005 Bing Crosby H. (G1), the six-year-old gelding appears to be rounding back into top form for conditioner David Hofmans, capturing the Tiznow S. at Hollywood last out, and we like the way he's training for this event, with a pair of recent six-furlong works in preparation. Greg's Gold is a threat to run past all of his rivals here. Fabulous Strike might outperform our expectations, but he faces a class check in this spot. He's obviously stepped up his game in his recent starts for trainer Todd Beattie, winning his last three efforts by daylight margins, but we'll try to beat him in his Churchill debut. OFF DUTY (Yes It's True) likes Churchill (three-for-four) and merits consideration for a minor award in this spot. The improving Lynn Whiting trainee gained valuable seasoning when finishing third in the Count Fleet Sprint H. (G3) last out, and we wouldn't be surprised to see Off Duty keep moving forward. COUGAR CAT (Storm Cat) will add to the pace, but the Ronny Werner charge might need an easier spot to be effective. SANTANA STRINGS (Wheaton) hasn't been the same horse since capturing the 2005 Amsterdam S. (G2). We'll let him turn his form around without us.
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