Alysheba J

AMERICAN

GRADED STAKES PREVIEWS

Friday's $150,000 Alysheba S. (G3) looks like an excellent betting race and

we'll tab COOL COAL MAN (Mineshaft) for a wire-to-wire victory. The Nick

Zito-trained horse will bring sharp form into the 1 1/16-mile test, easily

capturing a seven-furlong allowance/optional claiming event prior to a respectable third

in the Gulfstream Park H. (G2), and he ran well at Churchill Downs last spring,

finishing second by three parts of a length to BULLSBAY (Tiznow) in this event.

There isn't much speed in the line-up and Jose Lezcano figures to guide Cool

Coal Man straight to the front. He appears to be at his best right now, with

BRIS Speed ratings of 102 and 101 in his last two starts as well as recent

half-furlong bullet breeze (:47 1/5) over the track, and the bay could prove

impossible to catch.

CHOCOLATE CANDY (Candy Ride [Arg]), who will make his first start since an

eighth in the Breeders' Cup Dirt Mile (G1), didn't end his three-year-old

campaign on a promising note but has a couple of things going for him in this

spot. Two-for-three at the distance, the bay colt registered a solid effort in

last year's Kentucky Derby (G1), rallying past a lot of horses in the stretch

for fifth, and he shows several encouraging long-distance drills in preparation

for this start, including a one-mile work on April 21 at Hollywood. The stalker

should sit close to the pace with his tactical speed, is well-drawn along the

inside and adds blinkers for Jerry Hollendorfer, who wins at a 17 percent clip

with the equipment change. We'll use Chocolate Candy in the second spot and will

save with him in multi-race wagers.

Stephen Foster H. (G1) winner MACHO AGAIN (Macho Uno) likes Churchill but

will make his first appearance since a disappointing ninth as the favorite in

the Clark H. (G2). The confirmed closer may not get much pace to set up his late

rally and we would've preferred to have seen a tune-up in advance of this start,

but we'll include the classy horse in the top three.

Bullsbay entered last year's Alysheba in terrific form, registering BRIS

Speed ratings of 106 and 105 in his two previous starts, but he'll defend his

title in different conditions this year, making his first appearance since a

couple of dreadful efforts in the Clark and Breeders' Cup Dirt Mile. We have

plenty of respect for Graham Motion and the six-year-old horse's affinity for the track

can't be overlooked (three-for-five at Churchill), but we'll try to beat him for

the win and will use only on the bottom of some exotics.

ARSON SQUAD (Brahms) has been a solid performer at this level and merits

serious consideration for the gimmicks off his 3 3/4-length score in the Skip

Away S. (G3) last time, but the late runner didn't beat much last time and

probably won't have much pace in front. Your call.

FRIESAN FIRE (A.P. Indy) faltered badly when setting a slow pace in the

Mineshaft H. (G3) last time and figures to revert to stalking tactics here. The

four-year-old is a solid performer when at his best, but he's too

inconsistent -- well-beaten at odds-on twice in his last three starts -- for us to

recommend his chances.

PROM SHOES (Include), FLYING PRIVATE (Fusaichi Pegasus) and ENRICHED (High

Brite) may need an easier spot to be effective.