Adirondack

TRACK BANDIT PREVIEWS

Wednesday's opening-day feature at the Spa is the Adirondack S. (G2) for

two-year-old fillies. The 89th running of the Adirondack, which was not run last

year, will replace the Schuylerville S. (G2) for 2005. Since it only missed one

year, it keeps its Grade 2 status. The six-furlong Adirondack serves as a

stepping stone for the seven-furlong Spinaway S. (G2) on August 26.

Trainer Steve Klesaris is expected to saddle CAJUN MISTRESS (Salt Lake) and

LITTLE MISS ZIP (City Zip), and we like them both. Cajun Mistress broke quickly

from the rail, then was bumped repeatedly down the backstretch before proving

best while under mild encouragement in her debut at Belmont Park on June 16. The

$220,000 OBS March purchase earned only a 83 BRIS Speed rating, but displayed

remarkable heart and class. According to Klesaris, "she came back perfectly and

has trained brilliantly since."

Little Miss Zip broke very fast, dueled along the rail, then drew off while

being kept to her task when unveiled at Belmont Park on June 15. She defeated

her New York-bred rivals by 7 1/4 lengths while under a mild drive, earning a 94

Speed figure. The third-place finisher, Caught Inthe Zip (City Zip), came back

to win by 3 3/4 lengths last Wednesday. Little Miss Zip is bred to like the oval

as her father swept the graded stakes series for two-year-olds in 2000, earning

victories in the Saratoga Special S. (G2), Sanford S. (G2) and Hopeful S. (G1).

In the latter, he dead-heated with Yonaguska.

Morning-line favorite ADIEU (El Corredor) broke her maiden at first asking in

a quick time at Keeneland, then captured the Astoria S. at Belmont Park on July

3. In the Astoria, she dueled along the inside around the turn while being

pushed on by jockey Rafael Bejarano, then quickly shook clear after flagging her

tail near the wire. Adieu is very fast and talented. She is the one to beat, but

may go forth at underlaid odds given her connections, trainer Todd Pletcher and

jockey John Velazquez.

FOLKLORE (Tiznow) broke her maiden in her second start, then dueled from the

outside with Adieu while under a long hold before getting repulsed by that one

in her last start. The bay filly will likely get sent early from the inside

post, but she would need improvement for all the marbles. FIFTH AVENUE (Monarchos)

easily defeated Folklore in her debut, then forced the early issue before

outdueling longshot Blissful Trip (Trippi) in the Fashion S. at Belmont Park on

June 9. Our concern is that Blissful Trip came back to run third as the 1-5

favorite against allowance foes at Delaware Park.

Southern California shipper MY LUCKY FREE (Mazel Trick) could rally from off

the pace for a minor share at large odds beneath Bejarano. TRUART (Yes It's

True) adds first-time Lasix after an open-lengths maiden win but will get tested

for class here. UNBRIDLED TALE (Tale of the Cat) makes her debut for trainer

Patrick Biancone. This could be too much too soon.