Aegon Turf Sprint J

AMERICAN

GRADED STAKES PREVIEWS

Friday's $150,000 Aegon Turf Sprint S. (G3) has attracted a contentious field of 12

to dash five furlongs. UNBRIDLED SIDNEY (Unbridled's Song) rates as the 3-1

morning-line favorite, primarily because of her thrashing of males in the

Cherokee Run Breeders' Cup H. over this course and distance last fall. The

classy mare could turn in a similar performance in her 2007 bow, but she will

face a lot more early pressure here, so we'll try to beat her.

GAFF (Maria's Mon) is a smart sprinter on both turf and dirt, and the

projected pace imbroglio should play right into his hands. The Steve Asmussen

charge made his presence felt in the division in early 2006, capturing the Mr.

Prospector H. (G3), checking in an honorable fifth in the Dubai Golden Shaheen

(UAE-G1) and finishing a troubled third in the Maryland Breeders' Cup Sprint H.

(G3). Gaff's form deteriorated later in the season, but when cutting back to 5

1/2 furlongs at Fair Grounds, he sprang to life. After taking the Bonapaw S. in

December, he reappeared in the grassy Taylor's Special H. and won in fine style.

Gaff again disappointed at six furlongs when fourth in the Duncan F. Kenner

Breeders' Cup S. on the main track last time out, which leads us to believe that

he really wants the minimum trip these days. John Velazquez picks up the mount

on the bay, who should come rolling late.

CONGO KING (Horse Chestnut [SAf]) was just outkicked by THE NTH DEGREE

(Distorted Humor) in the 5 1/2-furlong Shakertown S. (G3) at Keeneland, but we

suspect that he'll show more in his second start for Patrick Biancone. Last

year, Biancone employed the Shakertown route with U.S. debutante Man of Illusion

(Aus), and after finishing third in that prep, the import won this event. Congo

King figures to strike top gear in the stretch beneath a returning Julien

Leparoux, and the 10-1 shot on the morning line could spring a surprise.

Unbridled Sidney has run the best races of her life here, and she still holds

the five-furlong course mark of :55 2/5. In addition to the Cherokee Run, the

Ronny Werner trainee scored in the 2005 Zenobia Empress H. and 2006 Mamzelle S.

at this venue. She could have tried to defend her Mamzelle title this week, so

the fact that she's opting to take on males instead is a strong vote of

confidence from her connections. Unbridled Sidney gets in with a mere 113

pounds, and Robby Albarado will try to take her wire-to-wire.

CHIEF WHAT IT IS (Crafty Prospector) may have a better chance of cracking the

top three than his 30-1 morning-line odds imply. The Lori Hendrickson charge is

a two-time stakes hero on the main track, and in his turf bow last out, he was a

close second in the Sam Houston Turf Sprint Cup S. on yielding ground. Chief

What It Is has been firing bullets, and he will likely show speed from his

outside post. He could hang on for a minor award at a huge price. ROI CHARMANT

(Evansville Slew) should also attend the early pace, and he has been performing

well over Santa Anita's downhill turf for Doug O'Neill. We're not sure if he'll

cope with the rain-soaked grass here.

The Nth Degree is in top form at present, but he has failed to hit the board

in three tries over the course. Moreover, he disappointed in this contest last

year, so we're a bit leery of him. SGT. BERT (Confide), third in the Shakertown,

is another who probably won't run as well here, considering his 7-0-1-1 mark on

the Churchill turf. He was also crushed by Unbridled Sidney last fall.

JUNIOR COLLEGE (Ide) is cross-entered to Saturday's Churchill Downs S. (G2)

on the main track. The multiple stakes-winning gelding has yet to try turf, but

if he does show up in this spot, he merits some consideration for the gimmicks.

The Tony Reinstedler trainee was beaten only two lengths by Bordonaro (Memo

[Chi]) in the Count Fleet Sprint H. (G3) in his latest venture. LIFESTYLE

(Indian Charlie) backed up after arguing the early pace in the Shakertown, and

his assignment won't get any easier in this spot.

ELLWOOD AND JAKE (Mr. Greeley) will be making his stakes debut as well as his

first start outside of California. The lightly raced four-year-old could find

this a daunting task. CHOSEN CHIEF (Marquetry) isn't quite the same horse he was

in his younger days, and he was no match for Unbridled Sidney in November.

MIGHTY BEAU (Rainbow Prospect) is a shadow of his former self.