Carry Back

TRACK BANDIT PREVIEWS

The $250,000 Carry Back S. (G2) is the second of four events on Saturday's Summit of Speed program at Calder,

and eight sophomores will square off over six furlongs. GOLDEN SPIKES (Seeking

the Gold) cut back successfully in the Unbridled S. at this distance last out,

and we'll give him the edge in this balanced field.

Conditioned by the ever-dangerous Marty Wolfson, Golden Spikes registered a

superb 107 BRIS Speed rating last time while posting a narrow decision, and he's

trained forwardly since then, recording a bullet four-furlong move two works

back on July 1. His tactical speed is an asset, and the bay Kentucky-bred will

likely be on or very close to the early lead in a field lacking much early zip.

CARSON'S LEGACY (Carson City) is two-for-four over the track, winning the 5

1/2-furlong Birdonthewire S. by 6 3/4 lengths last fall, and brings solid form

into this event for Steve Asmussen. He ran well on the dirt in two stakes

attempts at Oaklawn Park earlier this year, and his last couple of starts over

synthetic tracks (a second and a third) could leg him up for this test.

The late-running LANTANA MOB (Posse) will look to get up from off the pace in

his first outing for new trainer Michael Trombetta. Formerly conditioned by

Asmussen, the bay colt has looked good in his lone two starts this season,

capturing the Hirsch Jacob S. (G3) at Pimlico and Bachelor S. at Oaklawn, and

his BRIS Speed and Pace numbers make him a serious contender. We respect his

chances, but the closer must not leave himself too much to do in the lane.

GENTLEMAN JAMES (Yankee Gentleman) ran a big race on the front end in the

Unbridled last time, and the bay colt is a threat to hold for a share on

Saturday. He wasn't much of a factor versus stakes rivals earlier this year, but

the Kentucky-bred appears to be on the improve for trainer Myra Mora. We

recommend including him in some exotics.

HYPOCRITE (Outofthebox) appears to be on the improve for Manny Tortora and

could crash the top three at nice odds. He made his 2008 debut a winning one last

out,

posting a solid two-length score over allowance/optional claiming rivals, and

we'll look for him to offer a rally from off the pace. SALUTE THE SARGE (Forest

Wildcat) will make his first dirt start at a sprint, and his only previous

non-synthetic start came on the sloppy track in the Breeders' Cup Juvenile (G1).

The Eric Guillot runner hasn't shown much in his last two starts, recording a

pair of unplaced finishes, and we'll let him beat us here.

SUCCESSFUL LOVE (Successful Appeal) was no factor when stepping up in the

Unbridled last time, and he figures to be severely tested for class in this

spot. MAKE ME ZACH (First Tour) drew the far outside and must improve

significantly to challenge.