Arlington-Washington Futurity

TRACK BANDIT PREVIEWS

DIXIE BAND (Dixie Union) is the horse to beat in Saturday's $150,000

Arlington-Washington Futurity (G3), and the race should set up well for the

stalker with plenty of speed to his inside. An easy maiden winner two starts

back over the Polytrack, the Wayne Catalano-trained gelding earned a field-best

last-out 90 BRIS Speed rating for his 1 1/2-length score in the Spectacular Bid S. last

time, drawing clear to a 1 1/2-length decision, and he looks like a standout

once again in this spot. He'll stretch out from seven furlongs to a mile, but we

like his breeding and can't go against him.

Monmouth shipper PISCITELLI (Victory Gallop) will give us the opportunity for

a little value in the exacta. Listed at 6-1 on the morning line, the dark bay

colt rallied to break his maiden in solid fashion last time, registering a 90

BRIS Late Pace rating and an 86 Speed figure, and we won't be surprised to see

him keep moving forward in his first start against winners. His win came at

Saturday's one-mile distance, and we like the fact that Greg Sacco got a sharp

work over the track, with Piscitelli breezing four furlongs in :48 3/5 on

Monday, the fourth fastest of 41 moves at the distance. Leading rider Junior

Alvarado picks up the mount.

OAK MOTTE (Valid Expectations) could break running under Eddie Razo Jr., but

the Tom Amoss charge will likely sit just off the pace before offering his best.

He's posted two encouraging efforts over the track, finishing second in his

debut before breaking his maiden by 2 1/4 lengths last time as the 7-5 choice,

and he's trained well since his last outing, recording three works at Arlington

since the August 8 race. He looks very capable of grabbing part as the likely

second choice.

U APPEAL TO ME (Successful Appeal) held for second after setting the pace in

the Spectacular Bid last time, and we won't be surprised to see him grab another

minor award on Saturday. The Michael Stidham trainee likes the track, winning

his career debut at Arlington, and he'll be forwardly placed from the start

under James Graham. HERECOMESBERT (Purge) rallied to a three-length maiden win

last time over track/trip, but we have some doubts about the quality of the

competition last time. The Steve Asmussen trainee is eligible to keep

improving, but we can't recommend the late runner.

BEWARE THE TIGER (Hold That Tiger) will show speed from the rail, but the

maiden claiming winner is probably facing too much of a class hike. KRATISTO

(Afleet Alex) was a non-threatening second in the Canterbury Juvenile S. last

time and doesn't look fast enough to challenge here.