Aristides BC

TRACK BANDIT PREVIEWS

A field of six is entered for the $150,000 Aristides Breeders' Cup H. (G3)

on Saturday at Churchill Downs. LEVEL PLAYINGFIELD (Level Sands) enters the

six-furlong affair off a close victory against allowance company over this same

track last out. Prior to that one, the Bob Holthus trainee hit the wire second

at 50-1 in

the Churchill Downs H. (G2) to fellow rival BATTLE WON (Honour

and Glory) after being bumped at the start and carried wide around the

turn. Battle Won ended up taking that event by 3 1/2 lengths. Level Playingfield

has good late speed, consistently posting BRIS Late Pace figures above the

century mark, and has hit the board in all five attempts at the River City track.

John McKee will have the call.

GATORS N BEARS (Stormy Atlantic) comes off a fourth in the Maryland Breeders'

Cup H. (G3). Although the Leo Nechamkin-conditioned bay has not found

the winner's circle since June of last year, he has posted a slew of close

finishes since then, including close placings in both the Commonwealth Breeders'

Cup S. (G2) and General George H. (G2). The five-year-old has nine wins under

his belt at six furlongs and should prove to be a major contender in this one.

Charles Lopez will ride.

JET PROSPECTOR (A. P Jet) will make his first run against stakes competition

here,

but could have an advantage with his early speed. The four-year-old gelding

recorded five near wire-to-wire victories for trainer Richard Dutrow Jr., but

will be making his first start for trainer Stephen Margolis in this one. Jet

Prospector provided Margolis with a sharp workout on June 17, logging

five-eighths in a bullet :59. Robby Albarado will be aboard Saturday.

Battle Won exits a nice win for Charles Simon in the Churchill Downs H. in

his first dirt start after five tries on the turf. The five-year-old gelding has

three victories in five attempts at Churchill Downs and holds the same record

over the Aristides distance. Watch for Battle Won to be near the front when the

pack hits the wire.

BWANA CHARLIE (Indian Charlie) will be making only his second start on the

year, his prior a fourth-place effort in the Duncan F. Kenner Breeders' Cup H.

With morning-line odds of 3-1, better value is available in this race.

KELLY'S LANDING (Patton) comes off a victory against optional-claiming company

and is proficient at six furlongs, winning two of three starts at the distance.

With odds of 8-1, keep him in mind for the exotics.