Commonwealth Turf

TRACK BANDIT PREVIEWS

Thirteen three-year-olds will contest Saturday's $100,000 Commonwealth Turf S. (G3)

at Churchill Downs, and a couple of top contenders are stuck in outside posts in

the 1 1/16-mile affair. MISTER MARDI GRAS (Belong to Me) drew well in post 7 and

we'll tab the stakes winner for top honors.

Trained by Chris Block, Mister Mardi Gras exits a commendable runner-up

effort in the Hawthorne Derby (G3) in which the winner was loose on an unopposed

lead. Saturday's race sets up much better for the confirmed late runner, who

earned strong BRIS Speed (98) and Late Pace (106) numbers last time, and we like

the way he's been training in advance of his Churchill Downs debut. The Grade 2

runner-up can get the job done here with Shaun Bridgmohan.

BEAU CHOIX (Elusive Quality) enters this event on the upswing for Barclay

Tagg, finishing second in the Restoration S. at Monmouth Park prior to a third

in the Jamaica H. (G1) last out, and we won't be surprised to see him notch his

first graded victory in this spot. The chestnut will pick up the services of top

local turf rider Julien Leparoux, but we don't like his extreme starting

position (post 13).

YANKEE FOURTUNE (Yankee Gentleman) is going good for Kiaran McLaughlin,

remaining perfect on the turf with a 2 1/4-length score in the Hawthorne Derby

last time, and will be looking for his fifth straight victory on Saturday. The

front-running colt has shown that he doesn't need the early lead to win, but

he'll face difficult circumstances here with a couple of front runners to his

inside from post 11. If jockey Victor Santiago can find a way to save some

ground while not over-exerting his mount during the early stages, Yankee

Fourtune may have enough class to notch another win.

Brazilian Group 1 winner UAREOUTLAW (Brz) (Christine's Outlaw) wasn't a

serious factor when finishing sixth in his U.S. debut, the Indiana Derby (G2),

but the Mike Maker trainee is better on turf and could show more here at long

odds. He's listed at an attractive 15-1 on the morning line and should be able

to save ground from post 1, and we'll use him on the bottom of exotics.

GUYS REWARD (Grand Reward) ran well over the course when third in the

American Turf S. (G2) earlier this season and is one to consider for the exotics

Saturday at long odds. He earned a freshening in mid-August and returned from a

two-month hiatus with a sharp allowance score at Keeneland last out, and the

late runner could crash the top three here beneath Corey Lanerie. TURALLURE (Wando)

is another one to consider for a minor award. The Charles Lopresti trainee has

reeled off three straight wins on turf, including a victory over Brass Hat

(Prized) two back at Ellis Park, and he'll likely be forwardly placed here with

Robby Albarado. We think this race sets up better for an off-the-pace type, but

Turallure remains eligible to keep things rolling. We won't dissuade anybody

from using him, but we'll have to let him beat us in his graded debut.

MYSTIC (Unbridled's Song) is going well for Bill Mott, but his BRIS numbers

are a little light and he could be a little overbet here on the class hike.

LIGHTHOUSE SOUND (Langfuhr) and STORMY LORD (Stormy Atlantic) both do their best

running on or close to the lead, but we can't envision either one sustaining

their speed in this spot. DARK COVE (Medaglia d'Oro) turned out to be a good claim for $25,000 three

back, winning two straight allowance events for Kenny McPeek, but he's facing a

significant class check. We'll just watch to see how he handles graded company.

THUNDER BREW (Milwaukee Brew) will need to improve significantly upon his last

couple of efforts to challenge. DON CAVALLO (El Prado [Ire]) could be in too

deep from his bad post (12). CELTIC NEW YEAR (North Light [Ire]) probably needs

a softer spot to be effective.