|
|
TRACK BANDIT PREVIEWS
Saturday's $750,000 West Virginia Derby (G3) didn't attract any standouts, but DELIGHTFUL KISS (Kissin Kris) isn't receiving the proper respect as the 9-2 third choice on the morning line. He's delivered spectacular runs to defeat similar company in his last two outings, the Ohio Derby (G2) and Iowa Derby, and conditioner Pete Anderson has orchestrated a tremendous turnaround in form for the gray gelding. Delightful Kiss faces a difficult challenge here, but he's definitely the one to beat. His turn of foot has produced excellent BRIS Speed and Pace numbers, and the three-year-old shows a nice recent work at Churchill Downs. Delightful Kiss has seemingly come out of nowhere to dominate his last two outings, and we'll stick with the hot horse. ZANJERO (Cherokee Run) is still looking for his first stakes victory, but the Steve Asmussen runner has come close on multiple occasions, just missing when second in the Northern Dancer Breeders' Cup S. (G3) and Blue Grass S. (G1). The Northern Dancer was an encouraging showing following a 12th in the Kentucky Derby (G1), and Zanjero earned a career-best 103 Speed rating last time. The dark bay colt usually turns in a very honest effort, and Zanjero appears very capable of getting the job done here. SLEW'S TIZZY (Tiznow) will appreciate the class drop following a seventh in the Belmont S. (G1). While overmatched that afternoon, Slew's Tizzy has proven more than competitive at this level, winning the Lexington S. (G2) and Lone Star Derby (G3) before his foray into the Triple Crown, and trainer Greg Fox is enjoying an excellent meet at Mountaineer Park (14-4-4-2). Slew's Tizzy can put his natural speed to good use here, and we expect to see him return to form with a strong showing. MOYER'S POND (Monarchos) merits consideration for the top three. Lightly raced with only five career starts, the Tony Reinstedler charge finished second in the Ohio Derby and Lone Star Derby in his last two. The late-running gelding will attempt to pick up the pieces here, but this field isn't loaded with early speed. Another minor award looks possible. DOMINICAN (El Corredor) upset eventual Kentucky Derby winner Street Sense (Street Cry [Ire]) in the Blue Grass and posted a fine win in the Rushaway S. prior to that. Both wins came over Polytrack, and the Darrin Miller pupil is winless in five dirt appearances. Third in the Round Table S. most recently, the chestnut gelding has the class to be a serious factor if he can handle the transition from Arlington's Polytrack, but that's a big if. SAM P. (Cat Thief) turned in a couple of respectable efforts earlier this year, finishing second in the Robert B. Lewis S. (G2) and third in the Santa Anita Derby (G1), and he rebounded from a ninth in the Kentucky Derby with a decent third in the Northern Dancer last out. Trained by the always dangerous Todd Pletcher, Sam P. remains eligible to keep improving, but we'll let him beat us. SONG OF NAVARONE (Sultry Song) hasn't been seen under silks since capturing the WinStar Derby over his home track, Sunland Park, in mid-March. The Henry Dominguez trainee owns good tactical speed and figures to be forwardly placed off the freshening, but he's shipping cross-country and tackling a solid group of challengers. We prefer to give him a race. BWANA BULL (Holy Bull) will make his first start since being well beaten in the Kentucky Derby. The Grade 3-winning colt didn't run well when stretching out to nine furlongs in the Santa Anita Derby, and we won't be surprised to see him struggle from post 10 here. DR. GOOGLES BOOGLES (Richter Scale) is facing a serious class check. A maiden winner two starts back, he failed as the odds-on favorite versus entry level allowance rivals last time and probably needs an easier spot to be competitive. Charles Town shipper NORJAC (Peaks and Valleys) would be a huge surprise.
 Send this article to a friend
|
| ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
