Bing Crosby J

AMERICAN

GRADED STAKES PREVIEWS

Sunday's $300,000 Bing Crosby H. (G1) marks the return of the unbeaten E Z

WARRIOR (Exploit), a very talented sophomore who figures to be showing the way

once the gates open, but we'll give top honors to the late-running GREG'S GOLD

(Lake George).

Trained by David Hofmans, Greg's Gold captured the 2005 Bing Crosby from off

the pace, netting a career-best 106 BRIS Speed rating, before heading to the

sidelines. He made his return to competition in February, taking an

allowance, and then reappeared in April to record a solid second in the

Potrero Grande Breeders' Cup H. (G2) before winning the Tiznow S. over Hollywood

Park's Cushion Track. The six-year-old gelding didn't fire when finishing fourth

in the Aristides Breeders' Cup S. (G3) at Churchill Downs last out, but we'll

throw out that effort and look for a return to form (4-1-0 line in his previous

six

starts). Greg's Gold shows a pair of nice works over the Polytrack, and there's

plenty of speed to set up his rally.

Grade 1 winner BORDONARO (Memo [Chi]) merits a lot of respect. He faltered

last time in the True North H. (G2) at Belmont Park, but the classy six-year-old

gelding has worked forwardly since then, including a recent six-furlong bullet

in 1:11 4/5 over the Polytrack. He won't get carried wide from post 2 like he

did in his last outing, and his Speed ratings are extremely strong (three

consecutive 106s prior to the True North). Bordonaro appears very capable of

striking under Richard Migliore.

E Z Warrior is obviously very talented, and he's the speed of the speed here.

We love the way he's training over the Polytrack, and Bob Baffert will likely

have him ready to fire. The sophomore gets a weight break from his elders, and E

Z Warrior has a good chance to lead all the way.

BATTLE WON (Honour and Glory) is a top three candidate for Mike Mitchell, who

is off to a fast start over the new track (11-3-3-1). The seven-year-old gelding

doesn't win much (winless since 2005), but he gets part often. He'll likely

appreciate the cutback to six furlongs off his third in the seven-furlong Triple

Bend Invitational H. (G1), and we'll use Battle Won in the exotics.

NORTHERN SOLDIER (Yankee Victor) hasn't been a serious factor in his last

three graded starts. He owns three wins from five starts at the distance and

shows a couple of sharp drills over the new surface, so we can't dismiss him

from exotics consideration. The stalker should enjoy a good trip.

DECLAN'S MOON (Malibu Moon) was diagnosed with a throat ailment and was

finally able to snap a seven-race losing streak last time, winning a six-furlong

allowance/optional claiming event. That was certainly an encouraging

performance, but we're not ready to jump back on the bandwagon yet. The 2004

champion juvenile is certainly a good story, and we won't be disappointed if he

continues to run well.

IN SUMMATION (Put It Back) earned his first win since 2005 when capturing the

grassy Sneakbox S. at Monmouth Park last out, and this is an ambitious move by

his connections. Turf horses tend to do well on the Polytrack, but we'll let In

Summation beat us. GOTAGHOSTOFACHANCE (Silver Ghost) will be running late, but

we doubt he's good enough to be a serious factor. CORAZONDELCAMPEON (Comic

Strip) is very quick and will likely be contesting the pace here. We can't

envision him sustaining his speed, though.