Bowling Green J

AMERICAN

GRADED STAKES PREVIEWS

Sunday's Bowling Green H. (G2) was rescheduled from Friday due to rain, and

the inner course will likely be yielding if the 1 3/8-mile event remains on turf.

WINCHESTER (Theatrical [Ire]) is experienced over soft conditions, breaking his

maiden last year over a yielding course in Ireland, and rates top billing.

A 7 1/4-length winner of the Secretariat S. (G1) last summer at Arlington,

Winchester started only twice more in 2008, recording unplaced finishes in the

Breeders' Cup Turf (G1) and Hollywood Turf Cup (G1). The colt didn't make

his four-year-old debut until an August 1 allowance/optional claiming heat,

offering a belated rally for sixth, and we liked the effort off the lengthy

layoff. Saratoga's turf wasn't kind to deep closers that afternoon, and

Winchester earned a 118 BRIS Late Pace rating after passing a lot of horses. He

stretches out from 8 1/2 furlongs to a much more favorable distance on Sunday

and will be making his second start under the direction of Christophe Clement.

We'll look for his best beneath Ramon Dominguez.

AMERICAIN (Dynaformer) is capable of better than he showed in his U.S. bow

last time, a dull seventh in the Sword Dancer Invitational (G1), and we'll tab

him for runner-up honors. A Group 2 winner two starts back, the four-year-old

showed good class in France while racing mostly over turf with plenty of give to

it. He caught hard-and-firm conditions in the Sword Dancer and should be

much more comfortable at Belmont Sunday. Javier Castellano will pick up the

mount for Todd Pletcher, and Americain figures to be forwardly placed from the

rail with his tactical speed.

COLONY Ire) (Statue of Liberty) defeated Midships (Mizzen Mast) and Conduit

(Ire) (Dalakhani) when capturing an English handicap on soft ground last year,

and he went on to post a nice handicap score at Royal Ascot. He didn't run well

at Dubai this winter, but the Saeed bin Suroor runner turned in a commendable

showing when making his U.S. debut in the Double Feint S. two starts back,

rallying for third with a strong turn of foot. The four-year-old colt never got

untracked in the Bernard Baruch H. (G2) last time, but both races were a little

short for him. Colony is certainly eligible to improve while stretching out in

distance over an off turf, and we'll use him in our top three.

GRAND COUTURIER (GB) (Grand Lodge) merits serious respect given the

likelihood of the turf. A two-time Grade 1 winner over off courses for Robert Ribaudo,

the bay six-year-old has caught firm ground in his last two

outings. While those races should have him fit, we're not excited about

supporting him at a short price (5-2 favorite on morning line) and will try to

beat him. Grand Couturier could prove us wrong, but this is a pretty tough spot

and the late runner won't have a lot of pace up front. GENTLEMAN CHESTER

(Chester House) owns commendable BRIS numbers and has given a good account of

himself in his last two versus graded rivals, but we have concerns about how

he'll handle the course and distance. The improving five-year-old still rates

consideration for the gimmicks.

EXPANSION (Maria's Mon) has run well over Belmont's turf previously, but this

class level looks too difficult. UP TO NO GOOD (Ecton Park) will make his stakes

debut off an allowance score over the Tapeta at Presque Isle Downs. We can't recommend

his chances. READY SET (Touch Gold) has dropped seven straight since winning the

2008 West Virginia Derby (G3), and his last few efforts have been disappointing. THABAZIMBI

(Empire Maker) probably needs an easier spot to be effective.