Dallas Turf Cup

TRACK BANDIT PREVIEWS

Monday's $200,000 Dallas Turf Cup H. (G3) looks to be an ideal opportunity

for SEASPEAK (Mizzen Mast) to record a richly deserved graded victory. The

lightly raced four-year-old actually crossed the wire first in the Bryan Station

S. (G3) at Keeneland last fall, outdueling a top-class customer in Cowboy Cal

(Giant's Causeway), only to be disqualified and placed second for interference.

After a near-miss runner-up effort in the Commonwealth Turf S. (G3) next time

out, Seaspeak was transferred to Ralph Nicks. The dark bay could not have been

more impressive in his debut for his new trainer, returning from a five-month

layoff to romp in an entry-level allowance at Churchill Downs. Seaspeak has been

training sharply in advance of his third graded stakes attempt, and he should

enjoy a perfect stalking trip at Lone Star Park. He ranks as the horse to beat

with the hot-riding Julien Leparoux.

TRICKY CAUSEWAY (Giant's Causeway) could end up being the lone speed in this

1 1/8-mile affair. The Chris Hartman charge figures to relish being back on

turf, and judging by his victory in the 1 3/8-mile Awad S. earlier in his

career, he won't be stopping at the end. Indeed, he has yet to finish worse than

third in three attempts at this distance on the grass. The well-bred

six-year-old gets a rider switch to Luis Quinonez.

ERNESTO (Royal Academy) looks like the better of the two entrants from the

Danny Pish barn. The bay gelding is a horse-for-the-course, boasting an 8-5-2-0

local mark. The deep closer scored his lone career stakes victory in the Bob

Johnson Memorial S. here last summer, and in his latest venture, he captured an

allowance/optional claiming prep for this engagement. Ernesto would need a

career-best effort to pull the upset, but he's well qualified to crack the top

three.

OVERBID (Pulpit), a half-brother to 2006 Kentucky Oaks (G1) heroine Lemons

Forever (Lemon Drop Kid), is a bit of a wildcard in this spot for Eric Guillot.

The four-year-old has been a disappointment on the synthetic in Southern

California, but we suspect that he may have turned the corner over the winter at

Fair Grounds. Overbid rolled to a sharp allowance score in his dirt debut at the

New Orleans oval, and he exits an encouraging fourth in a turf allowance at

Evangeline Downs. Although this is obviously a major step up in class, we would

not be entirely surprised if he turns in a big effort.

RED ROCK CREEK (Numerous) has been a regional stalwart for Steve Asmussen.

Third in this event last year, the honest eight-year-old has a respectable late

kick. He has yet to hit the board in two starts so far this season, however, and

may be overbet in view of his connections. PRECIOUS COLONY (Wild Colony), the

second Pish hopeful, has been beaten by Red Rock Creek as well as Ernesto, and

he may be out of his depth among these.

SONG OF NAVARONE (Sultry Song), who has won four straight stakes on the dirt

in New Mexico, is cross-entered to Monday's Lone Star Park H. (G3). We expect

him to choose that spot rather than attempting a turf debut here.