Col. E.R. Bradley J

AMERICAN

GRADED STAKES PREVIEWS

Saturday's $100,000 Colonel E.R. Bradley H. (G3) attracted 11 horses,

including a main-track only runner, and we'll give the edge to STORM TREASURE

(Storm Boot) in the about 1 1/16-mile turf affair. Grade 1-placed on dirt, the

Steve Asmussen runner is very versatile, placing in five turf stakes, including

last year's Fair Grounds H. (G3), and he even captured an allowance over

Polytrack three starts back. The five-year-old horse rolled to an impressive

allowance score on the sod at Churchill Downs two starts back, and Storm

Treasure exits a decent fifth, beaten three lengths, in the Buddy Diliberto

Memorial H. over the local turf course. The late runner was compromised by a

tedious pace last time, but he figures to receive a better set-up here. Storm

Treasure has worked forwardly since his last outing, and we'll look for him to

notch his first stakes victory.

GOLD SOUND (Fr) (Green Tune) is very interesting. A Group 3 winner in France,

the six-year-old gelding owns plenty of back class and will be making his third

U.S. start on Saturday. He exits a smart win at Sam Houston for Michael Stidham

and while the competition will be much tougher in this spot, we expect to see Gold

Sound turn up with a good showing. The chestnut owns tactical speed and figures

to enjoy a favorable trip under Jamie Theirot. He's got a shot at an upset.

STERWINS (Runaway Groom) rallied from just off the pace to win the Buddy

Diliberto last out and ran very well over the weeds in Canada last season for

Malcolm Pierce, winning the With Approval S. and recording an excellent second

in the Sky Classic (Can-G2). We project another favorable stalking trip here for

the gray gelding, and Sterwins can't be eliminated from win consideration.

SAVE BIG MONEY (Storm Cat) switched to the turf two starts back for Neil

Howard and has recorded a couple of encouraging efforts, winning an

allowance/optional claiming event at Churchill prior to a close third in the

Buddy Diliberto. The five-year-old owns a fine late turn of foot, posting 106

and 108 BRIS Late Pace numbers in his last two outings, and he owns graded

experience. Consider for the top three.

OPTIMER (Arg) (Incurable Optimist) also exits a good showing in the Diliberto,

finishing second by a length, and he's recorded runner-up placings in six of his

last seven starts. The Richard Dutrow trainee will be tested for class while

making his U.S. graded debut, but he is doing very well presently. He appears

capable of grabbing a small share.

SILVERFOOT (With Approval) will make his eight-year-old debut off a 434-day

layoff, and we're inclined to give the classy gelding a race back. A four-time

Grade 3 victor and runner-up in the 2005 United Nations S. (G1), the Dallas

Stewart charge competed in the 2005-06 editions of the Breeders' Cup Turf (G1),

finishing a respectable sixth at Belmont Park in 2005. Two for three over the

turf in New Orleans, Silverfoot has run well fresh in the past, but he's never

returned off a 14-month rest before. We won't be shocked to see a strong finish

from the gray, but we can't endorse his chances here.

MAJOR RHYTHM (Rhythm) exits an allowance/optional claiming win over the Polytrack, but his recent turf form is discouraging. FRENCH BERET (Broad Brush)

wasn't a serious factor in his Fair Grounds bow, finishing third in a December 9

allowance, and he might find this company a little difficult.

Grade 3 winner GOT THE LAST LAUGH (Distorted Humor) was no factor in his last

three attempts versus stakes rivals on the turf and probably needs an easier

spot to be effective. SIDCUP (Running Stag) is winless from 14 previous attempts

on the turf, and we can't envision him breaking through here.

PROM SHOES (Include) is entered for the main track only, and the forecast is

favorable for this race to remain on the turf.