Appalachian Preview -- J

AMERICAN GRADED STAKES

PREVIEWS

Twelve distaffers, including a pair of also-eligibles, are entered for

Thursday's $100,000 Appalachian S. (G3) at Keeneland, and we'll take a stab at

some value with the returning ABBOTT HALL (El Corredor) in the one-mile turf

affair.

Trained by Hall Wiggins, Abbott Hall has experience over Keeneland's lawn,

passing runners for fourth in the Jessamine S. last October, and she rounded out

her juvenile campaign with an excellent third in the Caressing H. at Churchill

Downs, just missing by three parts following a wide trip in a strong edition of

the one-mile turf stakes. The bay lass appears to be training well for her

return, registering a half-furlong move in :49 3/5 on Sunday, and her BRIS Speed

and Pace numbers are solid in this spot. The distance is a good fit, and Abbott

Hall looks poised for a top effort off the shelf.

OBSEQUIOUS (Fusaichi Pegasus) finished second by three parts of a length last

time in the Herecomesthebride S. (G3) at Gulfstream, and the winner, Gozzip Girl

(Dynaformer), finished second by a head in the Ashland S. (G1) next time out.

The Elizabeth Gray-trained dark bay has thrived on the turf in South Florida

this season, turning in three commendable efforts against solid competition, and

she'll keep Edgar Prado, who bagged a couple of wins on Wednesday, in the

saddle. Obsequious could parlay a forwardly placed trip into a victory.

HABAYA (Storm Cat) is another serious threat. Trained by Kiaran McLaughlin,

the Shadwell Stable homebred shipped west to capture the grassy Miesque S. (G3)

in late November and is eligible to improve upon an unplaced finish behind

Gozzip Girl in her seasonal debut last time. The dark bay lass should be much

more fit this time around, and Habaya rates first in BRIS Prime Power by a solid

margin.

SIMPLIFY (Pulpit) is well-bred for her turf debut and owns the right running

style for Keeneland's turf. Conditioned by Steve Asmussen, she closed

determinedly to win her last effort sprinting, and Thursday's additional ground

should be within her scope. Simplify could threaten if she handles the new

ground/distance, and we'll use her on the bottom of the gimmicks.

OUR DAHLIA (Belong to Me) didn't handle the sloppy track last time, but she

ran well two starts back when capturing a turf allowance at Gulfstream. The

Kenny McPeek-trained will look to save ground from the rail under regular rider

Kent Desormeaux, and she shows a sharp five-furlong work in advance of this

start. Our Dahlia merits consideration for the exotics.

APRIL PRIDE (GB) (Falbrav [Ire]) broke through with her first U.S. win in her

fourth attempt last time, winning the China Doll S. by two lengths at Santa

Anita, but the California shipper will have to overcome post 10 on Saturday. She

remains eligible to carry her form forward with another strong showing, but

we're not sure about the competition she's been facing and don't like her 5-2

price on the morning line. FAST TIGRESS (Hold That Tiger) shows some decent BRIS

Late Pace ratings, but she's failed to hit the board in her last couple of

outings and will be facing deeper competition here. She also may prefer a little

more ground.

HOT CHA CHA (Cactus Ridge) doesn't own a strong turf pedigree, but she'll

enter in good form for trainer Philip Simms, recording a six-length tally in the

Bourbonette S. (G3) last time at Turfway Park. She could run well if she handles

the ground, but we have our doubts about the former claimer. MORE OF THE BEST

(Langfuhr) will show speed from her inside post, and the Bernie Flint pupil will

receive some backing with Garrett Gomez in the saddle. Her running style isn't a

good fit for Keeneland's course, however, and we'll have to let her beat us.

AFTERNOON STROLL (Stroll) has never raced on turf and doesn't look fast enough

to challenge in this spot.

COMPLICITY (City Zip) and WALLOON (Alphabet Soup) will each have to draw into

the race, and we don't like their chances from the outside if they do make the

field.