Arkansas Derby

TRACK BANDIT PREVIEWS

Ten three-year-old Kentucky Derby (G1) hopefuls will line-up in the $1

million Arkansas Derby (G2) at Oaklawn Park on Saturday.

OLD FASHIONED (Unbridled's Song) was atop nearly everyone's Derby list prior

to being upended in the Rebel S. (G2), but we expect the talented gray to bounce

back in a big way here. Trained by Larry Jones, the Grade 2 winner has won four

of his five career starts and has never earned less than a 97 BRIS Speed number.

He'll be reunited with Terry Thompson on this day, and if he runs his best,

they're likely running for second.

PAPA CLEM (Smart Strike) is the wildcard in here for us, as the Gary Stute

trainee will be making just his second start on dirt. The colt exits a game

second in the Louisiana Derby (G2) when he rallied back late to secure the

place, and he should be forwardly placed throughout in this test. We like the

fact the Rafael Bejarano has kept faith in this sophomore, and if he moves up in

here, he could take this field a long way.

WIN WILLY (Monarchos) came from last to roll home in the Rebel at 56-1, and

we don't think the Kentucky-bred is a fluke -- we give him a big exotics chance

in here. A winner in all three of his starts on dirt, the gray earned a solid

103 BRIS Late Pace number in the Rebel and drilled a half-mile bullet in advance

of this. He has to be considered a win threat for McLean Robertson.

FLAT OUT (Flatter) looked sensational in taking the Smarty Jones S. over this

strip two back and finished a troubled fourth in the Southwest S. (G3) in his

most recent showing for Charles Dickey. The bay has a nice closing kick and

might be set for a big effort if he's ready off the mini-break, but he'll need

the speed to back up to do so. We'll use the colt in our exotics.

POLTERGEIST (Tapit) earned a sharp 99 BRIS Speed figure for a dominant

allowance tally three back over this strip, but the Donnie Von Hemel charge has

yet to build upon that run. Seventh in the Southwest and third in the Rebel, the

gray simply looks a cut below the best in here and is running for a minor

placing. FLYING PRIVATE (Fusaichi Pegasus) ran big when closing for second in

the Lane's End S. (G2) in his latest test and has earned BRIS Speed numbers of

95 and 99 in his last pair of races. The bay screamed a bullet three-eighths

leading up to this and must be considered an exotics threat with a repeat of his

last.

DANGER TO SOCIETY (Harlan's Holiday) couldn't have looked much better in his

first two starts for Ken McPeek, prior to not factoring as the favorite in the

Holy Bull S. (G3). That defeat prompted a transfer to Richard Dutrow, who has

been known to move a horse up under his care. We give the bay a chance if he

secures a sensible trip from the widest post under Cornelio Velasquez. The

well-bred CAPTAIN CHEROKEE (Sir Cherokee), a half-brother to dual Breeders' Cup

Sprint (G1) winner Midnight Lute, finished a distant fourth in the Rebel S. (G2)

last out for conditioner Steve Asmussen. The dark bay has shown ability in all

of his starts, but this field is tough and he'd be a surprise from the rail.

Rushaway S. runner-up ZIEGFELD (Elusive Quality) has come a long way in a

short period of time for Dale Romans, and the gray will add blinkers in here

after running a lit erratically late in the Rushaway. Even though we find this

colt a nice prospect, he's facing a serious group and we can't endorse him on

this day. SUMMER BIRD (Birdstone) looked god in a recent maiden win but can't be

endorsed against this field.