Beaugay

TRACK BANDIT PREVIEWS

Saturday's $100,000 Beaugay H. (G3) will feature a field of 10 at 1 1/16

miles over Aqueduct's turf, and LAURAFINA (Cozzene) should be roaring late.

Runner-up to Melhor Ainda (Pulpit) in last year's Sands Point S. (G3) at

Belmont, the Robert Barbara-trained lass returned from a layoff to post an

excellent win in the Frances Genter S. (G3) three starts back at Calder and

followed with a sharp runner-up placing to My Lordship (Lord Avie) in the

Endeavour Breeders' Cup S. at Tampa, earning a 112 BRIS Late Pace rating. She

looked rattled after breaking through the gate before the start of the

Hillsborough S. (G3) last time and we'll throw that race out.

Barbara is doing well at Aqueduct and the 8 1/2-furlong distance is a good

fit for Laurafina. The four-year-old gray should receive the perfect setup in the Beaugay to come out on top.

ANGARA (GB) (Alzao) has been sold and transferred to Bill Mott since

finishing seventh in the Breeders' Cup Filly & Mare Turf (G1), and the

five-year-old mare has the class to win if ready off the layoff. Winner of the

Beverly D. S. (G1) over a top class field last August, Angara will be even more

dangerous if the ground has some give to it, but we are concerned about the

distance. Her two stakes wins have come at much longer distances, and 8 1/2

furlongs could be too short for her. This race looks like a prep for much bigger

prizes in the future, and we'll try to beat the likely favorite.

NAISSANCE ROYALE (Ire) (Giant's Causeway) ran a big race when capturing the

Lake Placid S. (G2) in her U.S. bow and just missed when fourth in the Queen

Elizabeth II Challenge Cup S. (G1) next out. Freshened until March, the Christophe

Clement runner gamely captured a Gulfstream allowance last out and will likely

be much tighter on Saturday. She'll probably be forwardly placed under Kent Desormeaux and could prove difficult to run down.

Stakes winner ASTI (Ire) (Sadler's Wells) finished a good third in last

year's Beaugay and has never missed the board in three attempts at the distance.

The James Jerkens charge ran well in her first two starts this year but may have found the 12-furlong distance in the Orchid H. (G3) last out too taxing,

although she did have a troubled trip that day. A return to form here is very

possible so consider for the exotics. BRUNILDA (Arg) (Mutakddim) has hit the

board in five of her last six starts, including a career best second to Wend

(Pulpit) in the Honey Fox H. (G3) last out, but she'll have to find a way to

save some ground from post 9. The six-year-old didn't run well in her last two

efforts in New York, but she remains a threat to hit the board here.

OMEYA (Chi) (Milt's Overture) owns a fine late kick, but she's never run in

New York and hasn't shown enough this year for us to recommend her chances.

POMMES FRITES (Dynaformer) will show the way early but will be seeking her third

straight wire-to-wire win against much better company than she's been facing.

We'll let her beat us.

New York-bred HALF HEAVEN (Regal Classic) could add to the pace off the layoff, but we

can't get excited about her chances in her first graded start. LITTLE BUTTERCUP

(Labeeb [GB]) probably needs some class relief to be effective. SAMSINCHARGE

(Dixie Brass) could also find herself overmatched in this spot.

NO SLEEP (Robyn Dancer) is entered for the main track only.