Appleton J

AMERICAN GRADED STAKES

PREVIEWS

A well-matched field of 11 will travel one mile over the Gulfstream turf

course in hopes of bagging the $125,000 Appleton H. (G3) on Sunday. We can go a

number of different ways in here, but we're going to make a somewhat sentimental

pick in choosing HOST (Chi) (Hussonet) from the barn of Tom Albertrani. The

Grade 1-winning miler earned his first win in more than seven months when taking

the Canadian Turf H. (G3) last out and has posted a pair of maintenance drills

in preparation for this. Once Horse of the Year in his native Chile, the eight-year-old chestnut will be heading off to stud

following this race, so it would be nice to see him go last-to-first in his swan

song under Eibar Coa.

Multiple South African Group 1 hero ELUSIVE FORT (SAf) (Fort Wood) put in

a sneaky good effort when fifth in a recent allowance/optional claiming race in

his American debut and could surely

challenge for the win with minor improvement in this spot. The Marty Wolfson

charge faced a loaded field over this oval last out, possibly a stronger group

than this, and he closed into a slow pace to miss by less than three lengths.

With improved fitness this time out, we expect a strong showing from the

six-year-old under the guidance of return rider Rene Douglas.

BUFFALO MAN (El Prado [Ire]) showed excellent late energy in his turf debut

last out, a runner-up effort in the Pete Axthelm S., and could improve in his

second grassy try for Cam Gambolati. The four-year-old has won half of his 10

career starts and comes into this with a bullet half-mile turf drill under his

belt. We love

the rail and Edgar Prado, so this improving colt could challenge for a top three

spot.

FEARLESS EAGLE (Invisible Ink) had been knocking on the door prior to his

Axthelm conquer and rates a chance at hitting the board in here for Eddie Plesa,

Jr. The bay colt has shown solid form in three of his last four turf efforts and

has the tactical speed to be in contention early beneath Eddie Castro.

TERRIFIC STORM (Storm Cat) and CROTON ROAD (Mr. Greeley), who dead-heated for

the runner-up spot in the Our Dear Peggy S. last time out, have similar running styles.

They rank second and third in BRIS Prime

Power, respectively, so we wouldn't toss them in here.

BROOKLYN BOY (Gone West), who had creditable form in France, steps up the

American class ladder in here for Allen Jerkens. The well-bred colt was visually impressive in

a recent Calder allowance rout and has trained well since, but this is a big

step up and we'll watch this one prior to backing with confidence.

MYSTERIOUS PEINTRE (Fr) (Peintre Celebre) has been inconsistent since coming

stateside, but he arguably registered his best effort on U.S. soil last out, when

closing late for third in the Axthelm. Also in the barn of Wolfson, the chestnut

four-year-old could factor with a swift pace, but we're willing to stand against

in this spot.

MAGIC MECKE (Mecke), JET PROPULSION (Double Honor) and BRITISH BLUE (Storm

Cat) drew the three widest posts, and in any event, appear to be a cut below the

best in here.