Bernard Baruch J

AMERICAN

GRADED STAKES PREVIEWS

Friday's $200,000 Bernard Baruch H. (G2) over Saratoga's inner turf largely

revolves around the favorite GET STORMY (Stormy Atlantic): will he shrug off

expected early pace pressure in his first try at 1 1/8 miles, or will he be

susceptible to a late runner? We have great respect for the talented colt, but

at 9-5 on the morning line, we'll take a shot that he'll get softened up and

we'll side with the classy WHATSTHESCRIPT (Ire) (Royal Applause [GB]) at a more

palatable 4-1.

Whatsthescript has proven himself in solid company for the past four years,

from his juvenile days in Ireland, through his Southern California sojourn with

three different trainers. For John Sadler, he produced terrific closing kicks to

take the 2008 American H. (G2) and Del Mar Mile H. (G2), while placing in such

events as the Breeders' Cup Mile (G1) and two runnings of the Eddie Read S.

(G1). The six-year-old came back from a brief stint at stud earlier this season,

and his first two starts back for new trainer Gary Contessa have been very

promising. A closing fourth to Get Stormy in the Fourstardave H. (G2) after a

less than ideal trip, Whatsthescript picks up a new rider in Rajiv Maragh, and

we believe he's likely to get a better tactical position early in this affair.

Between the more favorable pace scenario, and his record at this distance

(4-1-1-2), we'll tab him to get up in time.

Get Stormy has an admirable attitude to go along with his early speed, having

lost just once in his past seven starts. That reverse came after he dueled

unsuccessfully for the lead in the King Edward S. (Can-G2) two back, where he

ultimately faded to fourth. Get Stormy is drawn to the inside of his expected

pace rival on Friday, NATIONAL KID (Brz) (Dodge), and might find himself forced

a bit too much for his liking. Outside of the King Edward, though, the Tom Bush

pupil has looked dominant, and his Fourstardave victory was accomplished in near

course record-equaling time. Get Stormy might just be too tough to reel in

beneath a returning Javier Castellano.

The Patrick Biancone-trained NOWNOWNOW (Whywhywhy) is a live longshot at

12-1. The winner of the 2007 With Anticipation S. in his only prior attempt on

the Saratoga lawn, he went on to take the inaugural Breeders' Cup Juvenile Turf

and the 2009 San Fernando S. (G2) on Santa Anita's Pro-Ride. He's not the most

consistent type in terms of his record (19-3-3-4), but he does reliably post

triple-digit BRIS Late Pace figures. Nownownow will be making his second start

off a layoff here, suggesting that his fourth in the Oceanport S. (G3) last out

has set him up for this. Edgar Prado reunites with the five-year-old for the

first time since they just missed in the 2009 Mervin H. Muniz Jr. Memorial H.

(G2) at Fair Grounds, and we can see him pulling an upset.

BALETTI (Gulch) is capable of a big effort on occasion, as evidenced by his

rallying score in the Fort Marcy S. (G3) two back. Judging by his recent pattern

of alternating good and dull performances, he could be ready to fire in this

spot for Angel Penna Jr. Like Whatsthescript and Nownownow, the late runner will

enjoy a contested pace. ROGUE VICTORY (Victory Gallop) has class questions to

answer, but he likes the Spa (boasting a 4-2-1-0 local mark) and he comes off a

good win versus lesser. Although RADICAL SABBATICAL (Harlan's Holiday) was a

non-threatening fifth in the Fourstardave, he's another who could do better with

a stronger pace scenario.

National Kid has earned this class hike after a front-running victory in a

Monmouth allowance, which advanced his record to three-for-four lifetime. While

this Rick Dutrow charge could be anything, we'll watch to see how he handles his

stakes debut. SUDDEN WAR (Arg) (Sunray Spirit), who had been plying his trade in

1 1/2-mile contests earlier this year, has chosen a difficult spot for his

return from a four-month vacation.