Alfred G. Vanderbilt

TRACK BANDIT PREVIEWS

A fast field of seven will set out on Saturday to contest the $200,000 Alfred

G. Vanderbilt H. (G2) at Saratoga. The Allen Jerkens-trained SMOKUME (Smoke

Glacken) comes into this six-furlong event off two consecutive wins, the last in

the Tom Fool H. (G2) in the Belmont slop where he earned a 112 BRIS Speed

figure. His early-running style should prove beneficial as a majority of sprints

at Saratoga this week have been captured by those on or near the lead. The

four-year-old gelding has really fared well since Chantal Sutherland took the

reins four back, coming home first in three of those outings under the

29-year-old rider, and should be tough to beat.

KELLY'S LANDING (Patton) was a surprise in the Aristides Breeders' Cup H.

(G3) at Churchill Downs, taking the six-furlong test in 1:07 2/5, breaking Kona

Gold's record at the track by a quarter of a second. The four-year-old gelding

has a liking for the distance, producing a line of 4-3-1-0 at three-quarters-of-a-mile. Conditioner Eddie Kenneally has had the dark bay training forwardly for

this one and Kelly's Landing has a good late kick which should put him in the

money. Mike Smith has the call.

POMEROY (Boundary) comes off a 6 1/2-length win over optional-claiming

foes last month at Monmouth. The Patrick Biancone trainee has placed in all

three starts over the Saratoga Springs, New York, main track. He is a threat from

just off the pace and will be ridden by hot jockey Eibar Coa.

I'M THE TIGER (Siphon [Brz]) will be making his second start for trainer

Bobby Frankel here. In his last outing, the five-year-old gelding pressed the early

pace and led briefly, but hit the wire three parts of a length back in second.

This will be his first start at Saratoga and the bay could surprise in the

end. 

BOTANICAL (Seeking the Gold) won easily against allowance company last out in

his U.S. debut. The Saeed bin Suroor trainee made a good transition from the

turf to the dirt four starts back, winning two and running third in two. The dark bay four-year-old is a good shot for the money and should be

taken in consideration for the exotics.

VOODOO (Petionville) is perfect in two starts at the Spa, but hasn't made a

trip to the winner's circle since annexing the Sport Page H. (G3) in October of

2003. However, the seven-year-old veteran looked impressive in the True North

Breeders' Cup H. (G2) two starts back and could grab part. PEEPING TOM (Eagle Eyed) exits a win

against allowance company, but has not put up the numbers to be a threat here.