Barbaro J

AMERICAN

GRADED STAKES PREVIEWS

OUR EDGE (The Cliff's Edge) will bring a two-race winning streak into his

graded stakes debut, Sunday's $150,000 Barbaro S. (G3) at Delaware Park, and

we'll tab the up-and-coming colt for top honors in a contentious field of 12

three-year-olds. A smashing 8 3/4-length winner of a one-mile maiden special

weight event over the track two starts back, the Nick Zito trainee shipped to

Monmouth Park for the June 20 Coronado's Quest S. last time and registered a

game front-running decision over five rivals at Sunday's 1 1/16-mile distance.

The Florida-bred registered outstanding BRIS Speed ratings of 100 and 102 for

those efforts, with century-topping BRIS Late Pace numbers as well, and he's

recorded two sharp works since then. We'll look for him to sit close to the pace

under Alan Garcia before striking.

DENVER (Fusaichi Pegasus) will make his stakes debut on the upswing for Todd

Pletcher, recording a pair of smart scores over the track, and we like the 99

BRIS Speed rating he earned for his three-length, entry-level allowance win last

out. Freshened 54 days off that effort, the stalker will keep Jeremy Rose in the

saddle and is well-drawn in an inside post (2). We won't be surprised to see him

challenge for the win

IN THE JUICE (Rock Slide) is an intriguing prospect at long odds. Listed at

10-1 on the morning line, the John Robb-conditioned gelding owns plenty of

stakes experience and finished a decent fourth in the Coronado's Quest last

time. He's been racing on or close to the pace in his recent starts, but we like

a couple of his closing efforts from last season and anticipate a switch in

tactics Sunday. The Maryland-bred registered a 102 BRIS Speed rating for an

allowance/optional claiming victory over the track two starts back, and we'll

use him on the bottom of our tickets.

IT HAPPENED AGAIN (Proud Citizen) tuned up for the Barbaro with a

good-looking victory over allowance/optional claiming rivals at this trip/track,

and the Larry Jones runner merits serious respect from post 3. Gabriel Saez will

retain the mount on the stakes-tested chestnut, and the Kentucky-bred owns a

3-2-1-0 mark over the track. He'll be running late.

BUNKER HILL (Trippi) stretches back out after finishing a well-beaten second

to Big Drama (Montbrook) in a lucrative seven-furlong stakes at Charles Town

last out, and the Derek Ryan colt registered a stakes win at two going 8 1/2

furlongs at Delaware. He appears to be training forwardly in preparation for

this start and his BRIS numbers are solid, but post 11 is a worry in this

well-matched field. The Florida-bred is still a legitimate threat beneath

regular rider Kendrick Carmouche.

DUMAR (Maria's Mon) must break from the far outside, but the Steve Asmussen

charge owns solid recent form. His BRIS Speed ratings are a bit low, but the bay

colt is an exotics contender under new rider Ramon Dominguez. DOC'S FRIEND

(Friends Lake), who will run uncoupled with barn mate It Happened Again, will

show speed under Justin Shepherd. The bay colt exits two solid showings against

lesser company over the oval, but he figures to face serious pressure in his

graded debut. We can't dismiss his chances of holding for a minor award, but

we'll let him beat us.

SUMO (Fusaichi Pegasus) will make his first start since a poor showing in the

March 14 Tampa Bay Derby (G3). We respect trainer Graham Motion, but we haven't

seen enough from his runner to give him a legitimate chance off the layoff.

We'll look for more down the road. SLEW OF SMOKE (Black Mambo) owns a 2-1-1-0

record at Delaware, but the Michael Gorham pupil will receive the acid test on

Sunday. He also looks better suited to shorter distances at this point in his

career.

PITCHED PERFECTLY (Pleasantly Perfect) didn't fire in the Spend a Buck S.

last time, and we question whether he's fast enough to challenge in this spot.

CODE OF HONOUR (Omega Code) could show speed from the rail, but the claimer is

probably in too tough. SUDDEN SHIFT (Toccet) looks overmatched.