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TRACK BANDIT PREVIEWS
CHELOKEE (Cherokee Run), who fittingly won the Barbaro S. for conditioner Michael Matz on Preakness Day, is our top choice in the $200,000 Northern Dancer Breeders' Cup S. (G3) on "Stephen Foster Super Saturday" at Churchill Downs. After impressively winning a nine-furlong allowance race and then finishing a troubled third in the Florida Derby (G1) at Gulfstream Park, the dark bay colt was a serious candidate for the Kentucky Derby (G1) but lacked sufficient graded earnings to make it into the field. Instead, Chelokee was given plenty of time before romping to an easy 4 3/4-length victory in the 1 1/16-mile Barbaro, and appears ready to emerge as a player at the top of the three-year-old division. It would be no surprise if he garners his first graded win in this event. SAM P. (Cat Thief), trained by the ubiquitous Todd Pletcher, finished a good second in the Robert B. Lewis S. (G2) and then a respectable third in the Santa Anita Derby (G1) prior to running ninth in the Kentucky Derby (G1). The chestnut colt offered a rally from the outside around the far turn and loomed a presence before diminishing in the Run for the Roses. Sam P. has worked four times since the Derby and projects an outside stalking trip. Note that jockey Ramon Dominguez stays with Chelokee while stable rider John Velazquez lands here. ZANJERO (Cherokee Run), who finished third in the Risen Star S. (G3), Louisiana Derby (G2) and Blue Grass S. (G1), encountered a world of traffic in the Kentucky Derby before finishing a distant 12th. The Steve Asmussen-trained colt likes to come running from off the pace and owns a solid late kick. He is a major player in this spot. PROM SHOES (Include) really came alive when finishing second by a nostril in the nine-furlong Peter Pan S. (G2) around one turn at Belmont Park in his last start. The William Fires-trained colt finished fourth in the Derby Trial S. and fifth in the Lafayette S. at Keeneland in his prior two outings. Our concern is that he will be making his first start around two turns in this spot, and his pedigree on his dam's side indicates sprinter. The Kenny McPeek-trained LOOSE LEAF (Notebook) dueled with his better regarded stablemate Bold Start (Jump Start) around the first turn of an allowance/optional claiming test at Churchill last out. He surrendered the advantage entering the backstretch, took over when ready turning for home, then drew off to a 7 1/4-length victory while running the 1 1/16-mile distance in a sharp 1:41 4/5. Loose Leaf was extremely impressive in his last start and is an excellent sleeper here. TRUE COMPETITOR (Point Given) had been running against some of the best maidens around before finally breaking through in the snow with his first victory at Keeneland. The John Ward pupil finished a good second against older rivals at this track and trip last out and gets reunited with Rafael Bejarano. He is worth a second look for the bottom of the vertical exotics. PORTOBELLO ROAD (Storm Cat) was knocking at the door before breaking his maiden in his most recent start, running seven furlongs in 1:21 4/5 for trainer D. Wayne Lukas. He figures to be in the mix early under a returning Calvin Borel and may stick around for a small share. TSALI (Maria's Mon) was a non-threatening fifth against older foes in his seasonal debut and would seem up against it with these.
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