Calder Derby

TRACK BANDIT PREVIEWS

New York-invader GRAND RESERVE (Theatrical [Ire]) looks tough at short odds

in Saturday's $200,000 Calder Derby (G3), but the inexperienced colt will be

making his graded bow from a difficult outside post. We'll try to beat him with SCALATOR (Fusaichi Pegasus).

After breaking his maiden on Gulfstream's turf in mid-April, Scalator reeled

off two straight wins over the Calder turf. He made his stakes bow in the

Needles S. last time and finished willingly for fourth off a very moderate pace,

earning a 98 BRIS Late Pace rating. That experience should benefit the improving

three-year-old, and the Rodolfo Garcia trainee will receive a much better pace

scenario in his first graded attempt. We like the way the dark bay colt is

progressing and believe he can spring a small upset.

Grand Reserve debuted at Calder last December, finishing third, and didn't

reappear until Saratoga, breaking his maiden in early August. He stepped up to face

stakes foes last time in his third career start, the Subordination S., and

rallied from just off the pace for a neck win. Grand Reserve has shown speed in

each of his last two starts and will likely be forwardly placed here under Jerry

Bailey. However, the Bill Mott charge has speed to his inside and from

post 10 he threatens to get caught wide early. Grand Reserve is a very

promising colt, but he might prove vulnerable on this occasion.

TADREEB (Theatrical [Ire]) is another top contender and is trained by Mark

Hennig, who won this event last year with Eddington. Third in the Subordination

last time, Tadreeb didn't have much pace to run at that afternoon, and the bay

colt will receive a much better set-up on Saturday. He owns plenty of stakes

experience and century-topping Late Pace ratings from his last two attempts.

GOLD SUCCESS (Successful Appeal) will be making his turf bow but does own a

promising pedigree. His dam has already produced two grass winners, and Gold

Success has the form to challenge here if he takes to the surface change.

Consider for the exotics.

TALENTED PRINCE (Fortunate Prospect) owns the right running style and should

be making up ground in the stretch. He owns four seconds against stakes rivals

and may finish up for a small share on Saturday. AMATEUR AMBUSH (Proud and True)

also owns some appeal for the gimmicks. The improving gelding exits a nice

allowance score over the course (3-1-0-2 at Calder), but his Speed and Pace

numbers remain a little low.

DREAM ON DREAM ON (Untuttable) shows good form over Calder's turf and is a

threat to hold for part. Winner of the Needles last time and the Simply Majestic

S. earlier this season over the course, the Bill Kaplan trainee does his best

running on the front end and will likely face plenty of pressure. LORD ROBYN

(Robyn Dancer) threatens to get caught wide from the far outside post and exits

a disappointing third in the Needles. We'll go against.

LOOKS GOOD JUNIC (Looks Good to Me) brings respectable form into this event,

but he must stretch out a little in distance while stepping up in company. We'll

just watch to see how he fares. DAZZLING DR. CEVIN (Cutlass Fax) was unplaced in

his lone turf appearance and is difficult to recommend here. HAL'S IMAGE (Halo's

Image) would add to the pace here, but he's cross-entered to the Spend a Buck H.

(G3) and is probably better suited to the main track.