|
|
TRACK BANDIT PREVIEWS
Champion INFORMED DECISION (Monarchos) leads a strong field in the $300,000 Humana Distaff S. (G1) on Saturday at Churchill Downs, but we're going to try to beat the classy mare. DUBAI MAJESTY (Essence of Dubai) had a big lead in the stretch in this dash last year before being reeled in late, but we're taking a chance that the mare gets it done on this day for Bret Calhoun. Second in the Madison S. (G1) last out, the Florida-bred dark bay should sit just off the early leaders before putting in her best run beneath Jamie Theriot. Informed Decision won this race last year and is clearly the one to beat in this one for conditioner Jonathan Sheppard, but we feel like she's a smidge below her best when running on dirt. The gray five-year-old has good positional speed and should get a strong early pace at which to run, so we can't leave her off of our gimmicks with Julien Leparoux. MONA DE MOMMA (Speightstown), who bagged the Las Flores H. (G3) last out, is our longshot sleeper for trainer John Sadler. The talented bay has posted solid 98 BRIS Speed numbers in two straight and drilled a bullet six panels in advance of this, so we expect her to offer a big challenge late from the widest post with Joel Rosario. WARBLING (Unbridled's Song) broke through with a huge tally in the Inside Information S. (G2) last out, registering a 109 BRIS Speed figure in the process for trainer Eddie Kenneally. The gray filly has never run a poor one and is seemingly getting better with each start, so we must consider the four-year-old as a prime contender with Ramon Dominguez. RATED FIESTY (Exchange Rate) has a world of talent and is perfect from two tries on this strip in her career by a combined 11 lengths for conditioner Steve Asmussen. The gray mare has raced just once since February of 2009, when fourth in the Carousel S. most recently. We would not be floored if the Florida-bred upset this field, and if she had more seasoning we would go with her, but for now she's just on our exotics plays. DR. ZIC (Milwaukee Brew) led at every call in the recent Madison at Keeneland and should be rolling from the opening bell from the rail for trainer Joan Scott. The speedy four-year-old miss has one style and has never proven to be rateable in the past and she should face a bunch of speed in this one, so we're leaning toward going against the chestnut with Kent Desormeaux. DOUBLE ESPRESSO (Medaglia d'Oro) is very consistent but doesn't look ready to tackle a Grade 1 field at this stage of her development. Dual Grade 1-placed FREE FLYING SOUL (Quiet American) has a ton of early foot but is a complete mystery on dirt, so we'll just watch for now. Grade 3 winner PRETTY PROLIFIC (Lion Heart) was second in the Test S. (G1) in the summer and is capable on her best day, but we can't use her against these. CASSIDYS PRIDE (Medaglia d'Oro) earned a whopping 106 BRIS Speed number when upsetting the Harmony Lodge H. at Gulfstream Park last out for Manuel Estevez, but until we see the bay do it on a consistent basis, we'll shop around.
 Send this article to a friend
|
| ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
