Thoroughbred Club of America

TRACK BANDIT PREVIEWS

A fine field has been assembled to contest the $200,000 Thoroughbred Club of

America S. (G2) for fillies and mares at Keeneland on Saturday. Champion

INFORMED DECISION (Monarchos) won this race in 2009 and sports a sublime

11-10-0-1 mark on all-weather ovals for trainer Jonathan Sheppard, and we'll

stick with the synthetic star over the Polytrack in Lexington, Kentucky. The gray

five-year-old has excellent positional speed, is proven over this strip, and has

a big late kick which should propel her into contention in the final furlong.

Julien Leparoux will guide the likely favorite, who posted a speedy half-mile

drill over this oval in advance of this.

Multiple graded stakes queen DUBAI MAJESTY (Essence of Dubai) was second in

the Madison S. (G1) here in the spring and is worthy of a Grade 1 victory for

conditioner Bret Calhoun. The talented dark bay mare is winless on synthetic

ovals from five tries but has run well upon them, and she wouldn't be a shock

in here. Jamie Theriot has the call aboard the late-running five-year-old.

Madison heroine DR. ZIC (Milwaukee Brew) is the inside speed of the

field and defeated our top pick over this same oval, so we would be foolish to

completely bypass the Joan Scott trainee. Unplaced at Presque Isle Downs most recently, the

speedy four-year-old is capable on her best day, and if she finds a speed

favoring oval in which to work with, she could be very dangerous at an

attractive price.

Dual Grade 1 queen CHAMPAGNE D'ORO (Medaglia d'Oro) proved that she belongs

near the top of this division this summer with strong victories in the Acorn S.

(G1), and most recently, the Test S. (G1), for conditioner Eric Guillot. The

rising star seems to be better on dirt than synthetic strips, but she broke her

maiden on Polytrack and can't be dismissed from consideration for a minor award.

Three-time graded stakes victress SWEET AUGUST MOON (Malibu Moon) rides in

from the West Coast off the strength of a two-race win streak, but she'll need a

career outing in order to upset this field. We will use the Brian Koriner charge

in the vertical gimmicks, though. Endine S. (G3) runner-up IVORY EMPRESS

(Seeking the Gold) has yet to prove she can win at this level, but the Ian Wilkes

runner has turned in some nice performances this season. We're inclined to play

against but wouldn't be shocked to see her earn a small share.

HOOH WHY (Cloud Hopping) is a Grade 1 winner over this surface but has no

shown that form since, and she'd be a surprise from the rail beneath Robby

Albarado. WACCAMAW (War Chant) has never run fast enough to top a field of this

quality. OLD TIME RELIGION (Buddha) looks overmatched.