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TRACK BANDIT PREVIEWS
A high-quality field of 13 will travel seven-eighths in Saturday's $250,000 Churchill Downs S. (G2). MUSKET MAN (Yonaguska) just missed in a fine showing in the Carter H. (G1) last out and looks like one of the more deserving winners in this field. The dual classic-placed colt has earned triple-digit BRIS speed figures in five straight, ranks first in Prime Power (150.7) and could get a nice trip from midpack under Ramon Dominguez. We'll take a chance with the Kentucky-bred. WALL STREET WONDER (City Place) blossomed this winter on the inner oval at Aqueduct and is another who seems to be a major player in this well-matched field. The John Terranova charge has posted 107, 111 and 106 BRIS Speed numbers in his last three and topped a serious colt last out, so we respect the peaking colt. Channing Hill treks in from the Empire State to ride the win threat. Two-time Grade 2 victor KENSEI (Mr. Greeley) had a nice prep race for this and must be considered a major player in this field on the basis of his sophomore campaign for Steve Asmussen. The bay colt was second in the Derby Trial S. (G3) last year in his lone appearance at Churchill Downs and has improved ever since. We'll use the colt under Robby Albarado. Multiple Grade 2 hero MUNNINGS (Speightstown) is a strong contender in here and could get a nice trip from the rail under John Velazquez. The talented chestnut has good speed and has run well over this oval in the past, so we see no reason not to include the Todd Pletcher pupil. Recent Carter H. (G1) winner WARRIOR'S REWARD (Medaglia d'Oro) got a much deserved Grade 1 win in his last and returns to an oval where he sports a 3-1-2-0 record. The Ian Wilkes trainee runs from well off the pace and lands in a field with a good deal of early speed, so we'd imagine he has a huge chance to win his second consecutive graded race with Julien Leparoux. COUNTRY DAY (Speightstown) was a confident winner of the Hot Springs S. last out over a solid field and deserves a look for conditioner Steve Margolis. The four-year-old colt doesn't match up with some of the big guns in this one, but he's very capable in his own right and could challenge for a placing at a big price. ACCREDIT (E Dubai) won this race a year ago but faces an infinitely more difficult assignment with these foes -- not to mention the 13 post he was assigned. VENTANA (Toccet) has never been better for Bob Baffert, finishing first or second in six in succession including a win in the Potrero Grande H. (G2) last out. The bay is a cut below the best in here but could improve with the transfer to dirt, so we'll include him in the gimmicks. The promising HULL (Holy Bull) was a useful third in his 2010 debut in a Keeneland allowance contest most recently and has the back talent to run with these, but it's hard to back the Dale Romans charge without knowing if he's fit. The dark bay will be ridden by Shaun Bridgmohan. VICTORY NOTION (Victory Gallop), the off-form HAMAZING DESTINY (Salt Lake) and Turf Paradise invader ATTA BOY ROY (Tribunal) look way overmatched. COOL COAL MAN (Mineshaft) opted for the $150,000 Alysheba S. (G3) on Friday, where he finished second.
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