Barbara Fritchie

TRACK BANDIT PREVIEWS

A solid group of 10 fillies and mares will go seven panels in the $300,000

Barbara Fritchie H. (G2) at Laurel Park on Saturday. GOLDEN DAWN (Hennessy) has

improved by leaps and bounds since arriving in the barn of Michael Hushion in

the latter part of 2007, and we think the chestnut will be the one to beat with

anything resembling her latest try. The four-year-old was extremely impressive

from a visual standpoint in dusting her foes in the Fiesta Lady S. last out and

was rewarded with a career-best 105 BRIS Speed figure for her work. The

Kentucky-bred has speed but is probably at her best when stalking just off the

early tempo, a place where we think she'll be in this one under Channing Hill.

The Laurel-based CONTROL SYSTEM (Lion Hearted) is in excellent form for Michael Trombetta , capturing stakes races in her latest

two ventures, and is likely the one to beat in here. The talented bay sports a superb resume and has never been

unplaced in seven starts, and she appears to be on top of her game after

posting a pair of bullet works in her last three drills leading up to this race.

We won't be surprised to see the filly in the winner's circle again following this

race. Julian Pimentel has the assignment.

BABY BIRD (Cape Town) has always been one we liked for trainer Richard Dutrow,

and the bay has a decent chance at a top three placing on this day. The

Kentucky-bred mare was an excellent third behind a pair of talented foes in the

Affectionately H. in her latest venture and adds blinkers for this race, which

is a move that hits at a 25 percent clip for Dutrow runners. The

five-year-old is well drawn near the rail and has good tactical speed, so we

expect a solid move from midpack turning for home under Horacio Karamanos.

TAKE A CHECK (Touch Gold) is far from a win machine but sports a nifty

18-3-7-5 mark over this oval for Richard Small, making her a prime exotics

threat at a square price. The six-year-old had no chance with runaway winner

Wild Hoots (Unbridled's Song) in the Nellie Morse S. last out, but has trained

well in the interim and should get a sharp pace at which to run. We like the

mare's chances to pick up some pieces late under Nick Santagata.

FOR KISSES (Not for Love) has won seven of her 12 lifetime starts over this

surface, but we prefer Small's other entry in here. The bay five-year-old had

won three straight prior to her fifth-place effort in the Nellie Morse as the

3-1 second choice and she is no stranger to the winner's circle, but a lethargic

recent drill and the quality of her competition have us looking elsewhere.

Defending champ OPRAH WINNEY (Royal Academy) has not been the same animal

since her eighth-place effort in the Breeders' Cup Filly & Mare Sprint,

registering a pair of flat, third-place efforts for Dutrow. The gray miss, who

popped a 104 BRIS Speed figure in this event in 2007, is obviously eligible to

improve in here, but we're not suggesting her in this deep field. Pablo Fragoso

has the call.

DEVIL HOUSE (Chester House) sped to a front-running score in the Happy

Princess S. in her first try for Bruce Levine but faces a more demanding task in

this spot. The fleet filly showed promise as a sophomore last year and obviously

possesses a good deal of talent, but we can't envision the filly enduring such a

cozy trip on the lead as she earned in her last go. MORE ANGELS (Slew of Angels), the second of two for Levine, showed

little in the Sunshine Millions Filly & Mare Sprint over the synthetic surface

at Santa Anita but should appreciate the return to dirt in this endeavor. The bay mare is

fairly quick from the gate but could get used up on the front due to the amount

of early gas signed on for this engagement. Mike Luzzi will be in the irons.

KARAKORUM STARLET (Skip Away) sports a strong 24-7-8-1 lifetime mark and has

been especially sharp lately for Jeff Odintz, but others look more enticing on

this occasion. ALL GIVING (Allen's Prospect) was not aided by the outside draw

and looks a step slower than her foes in here, so we'll toss.