Arlington Classic

TRACK BANDIT PREVIEWS

Saturday's $150,000 Arlington Classic (G3) kicks off the Mid-America Triple,

a three-race series for three-year-olds on the turf that also consists of the

July 21 American Derby (G2) and August 11 Secretariat S. (G1) at Arlington Park,

and there is no standout among the nine entrants. We'll tab PLEASANT STRIKE

(Smart Strike) in the 1 1/16-mile event.

Trained by Todd Pletcher, Pleasant Strike ran a big one when breaking his

maiden by eight lengths in his turf debut in late January. He was thrown to the

wolves next time out, finishing sixth against a strong field in the Hallandale

Beach S., and then recorded a fine third against allowance rivals at Keeneland.

The winner, Inca King (Sir Cat), posted an excellent win in the Jefferson Cup S.

(G2) last Saturday, and the runner-up in that allowance took fourth. Pleasant

Strike exits a victory in an off-the-turf allowance at Arlington, strolling to a

1 1/4-length score over the Polytrack, and he'll return to his favorite surface

in the Arlington Classic. The improving colt won't face the stiffest

competition, and we'll look for jockey Rene Douglas to sit a good stalking trip

from his inside post before pouncing.

QUASICOBRA (Wild Rush) could be ready to make some noise at the stakes level

for trainer Patrick Biancone. A maiden winner over Polytrack three starts back, he

followed it with a close second versus allowance foes over the same surface at

Keeneland. The dark bay gelding tried turf in a Churchill Downs allowance last

time out, and he gamely fought through the stretch against a solid group of

rivals, hitting the wire first before suffering a tough-luck disqualification.

It was still a very commendable showing for the lightly raced colt, and Quasicobra might put it all together in this spot under Julien Leparoux.

TOM ARCHDEACON (Aljabr) has shown an affinity for Arlington's turf (4-1-3-0)

and exits a late-running score in the Awad S. on May 28. He did catch yielding

ground that afternoon, but he's proven that he can handle firm conditions as

well. The Austin Smith trainee netted a 105 BRIS Late Pace rating two starts

back, and he could make an impact on Saturday given the presence of some early

speed in the line-up.

BETA CAPO (Langfuhr) figures to use his quickness to his advantage, and the

Steve Asmussen charge is a threat to last a long way under Chris Emigh. He

recorded a front-running win in the Grand Prairie Turf Challenge S. two starts

back and exits a decent third, beaten 1 1/4 lengths, over soft turf in the

U.S.A. S. at Lone Star Park. Beta Capo should appreciate a return to firm

conditions, and we'll use him on the bottom of some exotics.

LOVANGO (Capote) didn't enjoy a clean trip when third in the Awad, and he

gave a good account of himself in his first turf start. The McLean Robertson

runner earned solid BRIS Speed and Pace numbers earlier this year when competing

at Oaklawn Park and appears headed in the right direction presently. He'll be

tested for class in this spot, but Lovango is a threat to crash the gimmicks at

long odds (12-1 on the morning line).

VAUNT (GB) (Averti) is the 5-2 favorite on the morning line and will make his

first start for new trainer Bill Mott. Third in the about 6 1/2-furlong Baldwin

S. (G3) three starts back, the bay gelding exits a close second in the six-furlong

Harry Henson S. at Hollywood Park. Vaunt will enter this event fresh and could

be dangerous in his first start for his Hall of Fame conditioner, but his form

is much better around one turn, with unplaced showings in both two-turn efforts

in America. We wouldn't suggest throwing him out of exotics consideration, but

we'll try to beat him. STARBASE (Tale of the Cat) finished a surprising second

two starts back in the Lexington S. (G2) and was then given some time off by

trainer D.

Wayne Lukas. He returned with a dull sixth in the Ohio Derby (G2) earlier this

month and will now revert to turf. He didn't run well over the green when

making his career bow, and we're not excited about his chances here. He will be

dropping in class, however.

PIRATE SAINT (Put It Back) exits a couple of solid showings over the turf in

Chicago, but he enjoyed the luxury of an inside post on both occasions and will

have to overcome the far outside here. His Speed and Pace numbers are a little

low, and we'll give the dark bay a start at the graded level. RIVERSIDE

RASCAL (Skip Away) will show speed, but he appears overmatched in this spot.