Breeders' Futurity

TRACK BANDIT PREVIEWS

An overflow field of 16 juveniles will travel 1 1/16 miles over Keeneland's

Polytrack in the $500,000 Breeders' Futurity (G1).

Dual graded winner BACKTALK (Smarty Jones) suffered his first defeat when

fourth in the Hopeful S. (G1) last out for Tom Amoss, but we expect a big

rebound from the impressive colt. The chestnut is not the swiftest runner

from the gate but he more than makes up for it with his late presence. His

half-sister loved synthetic ovals and was more than adept at distances similar

to this, so if the Florida-bred is like his sibling he'll be formidable. Robby

Albarado has the call.

MAKE MUSIC FOR ME (Bernstein) has finished second in his last pair, the Del

Mar Futurity (G1) and Best Pal S. (G2), behind the undisputed leader of this

division, Lookin at Lucky (Smart Strike). The Kentucky-bred bay has earned BRIS

Late Pace numbers of 99 and 106 in his last two and rates a big chance under

Tyler Baze.

We liked PISCITELLI (Victory Gallop) entering the Arlington-Washington

Futurity (G3) last out, a race in which he closed for third, and we'll give the

improving sort another chance in this big field. Bred to stay a route of ground,

the dark bay has shown speed and the ability to close, and a good trip is likely

to yield him a good finishing position for Greg Sacco.

AIKENITE (Yes It's True) was a horse we liked a lot entering the Hopeful S.

(G1) and he ran a big one, closing from last to finish third, beaten just 1 1/2

lengths. The talented Florida-bred beat what we think is a top prospect at first

asking and he should be able to endure this 1 1/16 miles, so he could be the one

to beat if he moves up on the synthetic. Alan Garcia has the assignment.

STATELY VICTOR (Ghostzapper) was a 4 1/2-length maiden romper on the grass at

Saratoga and looks like an interesting long-term prospect from the Mike Maker

barn. A clear second to a nice one on dirt at first asking, the Kentucky-bred

has been working well and has the guidance of Julien Leparoux, so we won't

dismiss his chances even if he is drawn very wide.

WILDCAT NATION (Yes It's True) was a facile maiden winner in his second start

for D. Wayne Lukas and will now attempt two turns for the initial time, while

giving an all-weather oval a try. The expensive chestnut has only run two

sprints to date and has a pedigree slanted toward speed, but we have a hunch he

may be ready to give a big effort at a huge price. Terry Thompson will

ride. Unbeaten Grade 3 winner DIXIE BAND (Dixie Union) had the misfortune of

drawing the rail in this deep field, and we will take a stand against the Wayne

Catalano trainee. The gelded juvenile obviously loves Arlington, where all three

wins came, and he proved that he could handle a mile so this trip shouldn't

hinder him much, if at all. David Flores retains the mount.

California invader HURRICANE IKE (Graeme Hall) has run evenly versus graded

foes in his last pair for John Sadler and the new scenery might do the

trick in this bulky field. The dark bay doesn't have much speed and will likely

find traffic trying to weave his way through 13 foes, but he can't be dismissed

as a player on the bottom of the gimmicks. ROMAN INVASION (Roman Ruler) crushed his foes at Delaware Park by more than

10 lengths most recently for Kelly Breen, but is another mystery on this

artificial surface. NOBLE'S PROMISE (Cuvee) has run three nice ones to start his

career for Ken McPeek, but concerns about his affinity for two turns and the

foes that he's beating turns us away.

CALLIDE VALLEY (Indian Charlie) has been working well in advance of this, but

we admittedly have no clue about how good he is or if the colt will like this

surface. NO SHENANIGANS (Value Plus) got it done in his third career outing but

needs to get faster in a hurry to challenge these. The maiden HOCKLEY (A.P. Indy) will need to show us more before siding with

in this spot. SOUNDMAN (Songandaprayer) has already run seven times and doesn't

give the impression of a horse who will have much to say about the outcome in

here.

Also-eligible RAGING WIT (Distorted Humor) looked the part in his Turfway

debut last out, driving home a convincing two-length winner. Now in the hands

of Bill Mott after first showing up in the Todd Pletcher barn, the well-bred

colt could be any type but will have to negotiate the widest post in the field. LOOKS PURRFECT (Kitten's Joy), also on the also-eligible list, worked hard to

break his maiden in his third start and seemingly lacks the brilliance of many

of his foes.