Calder Derby J

AMERICAN

GRADED STAKES PREVIEWS

Ten sophomores will go 1 1/8 miles over the lawn in Saturday's $200,000

Calder Derby (G3). SAL THE BARBER (Alphabet Soup) looks to be a complete

standout in here, and while we often try to upend chalk, we have no reason to

believe that the Christophe Clement charge will win this with something even

less than his best. Fifth when favored in the Saranac S. (G3) at Saratoga most

recently, the Kentucky-bred romped by 4 1/2 lengths in the Don Jack S. three back

and followed that up with a good second in the National Museum of Racing Hall of Fame S. (G2) against

animals who were tons better than these. Some give in the turf could turn this

race into a blowout win for the colt, who will be ridden by Eddie Castro.

GRAND CASH (Belong to Me) took the American Dreamer S. on the green two prior

and looks like the biggest threat to our top pick in here. The David Vivian

trainee has never finished worse than third over this course and has posted BRIS

Late Pace numbers of 101, 97 and 100 in his last three grassy tries. Eduardo

Nunez will be up.

REGIS (Wekiva Springs) has finished first or second in his last three turf

tries, and while he did so against lesser foes, it's more than possible that the

Florida-bred has a big impact against his own age of foes. The Bill

White-trained gray should be in the mix throughout and we'll use him in the

vertical gimmicks.

STATLEY CHARACTER (Pleasant Tap) ran a few impressive races this winter at

Gulfstream Park, including a fourth-place finish in the Florida Derby (G1) two

races prior. The dark bay has never run on the grass but is bred to handle the

green, and his rail draw could lead to a ground-saving trip beneath Herb

McCauley. The colt is cross-entered to the Spend a Buck H. (G3) one race later,

but we'll toss this one in the exotics here if he runs.

QUIET EMARATI (Quiet American) has run some useful grass races in the past

without winning, so he's another who can be tossed in the exotics at a price.

LIVINGSTON STREET (Mr. Livingston) is a consistent late runner for Bill Kaplan

who we will use in the lower rungs of our vertical plays.

TEMO'S DREAM (Pure Precision) was a nice winner of the off-the-turf Needles

S. most recently but has finished unplaced in both career turf tries, and we

don't like his outside draw. He, too, is cross-entered to the Spend a Buck. POUND FOOLISH (Exchange Rate) is winless in six

lifetime outings on the sod and has no early footing, so the only thing he can

do is rally for a minor award late.

JUST LIKE BISCUIT (Sligo Bay [Ire]) is void of early speed and doesn't look

to have a kick as big as some of the others in here. SCORBIT (Scorpion) is still

a maiden, losing by more than 19 lengths in his previous turf encounter.