Bold Ruler

TRACK BANDIT PREVIEWS

Saturday's $100,000 Bold Ruler H. (G3) marks the return of SONGSTER (Songandaprayer),

who hasn't been seen under silks since finishing fifth in the King's Bishop S.

(G1). The Godolphin-owned colt didn't run well in two starts at Saratoga last

summer, but he appeared to love Belmont Park when recording a two-length triumph

over Too Much Bling in the Woody Stephens Breeders' Cup S. (G2) on last year's

Belmont S. (G1) undercard. The Saeed bin Suroor-trained four-year-old won't

offer any value, but he could easily prove too difficult for these rivals.

ANEW (Awesome Again) hasn't started since August, but we know he likes

Belmont (3 1/2-length winner of the True North H. [G2]) and he looks like the

lone speed on Saturday. A former $25,000 claimer, the Steve Asmussen trainee

earned BRIS Speed ratings of 109 and 108 last season. The six-year-old gelding

will take his rivals as far as he can under John Velazquez.

DASHBOARD DRUMMER (Alamocitos) has recorded two straight victories since

being claimed three starts back, winning a pair of allowance/optional claiming

events at Aqueduct, and his last two Speed ratings (104 and 100) are

commendable. This is a good spot to earn some black-type placing, and we'll tab

the Tony Dutrow runner for a minor award.

DARK CHEETAH (Storm Cat) recorded a good second in last year's Bold Ruler,

and he'll be running late under Garrett Gomez on Saturday. He's eligible to grab

a small share. PAVO (Marquetry) exits a dull sixth in the Jim McKay S. at

Pimlico and hasn't run very well at Belmont in the past.