Discovery J

AMERICAN

GRADED STAKES PREVIEWS

Only six sophomores will line up in Saturday's $100,000 Discovery H. (G3) at

Aqueduct, and the Shug McGaughey-trained GONE ASTRAY (Dixie Union) is the one to

beat in the nine-furlong affair. The dark bay colt has really come to life since

switching to two-turn races, racking up dominating victories in the Ohio Derby

(G2) and Pennsylvania Derby (G2) in his last two. He's also been earning

century-topping BRIS numbers of late, garnering a 106 Speed figure for his Penn

Derby win and a 116 Late Pace rating for a close head second in the Coronado's

Quest S. Gone Astray has winning experience over the track, and appears more

than capable of adding this one to his resume. Eddie Castro retains the mount.

BIRDRUN (Birdstone) might offer the best chance for some value in this race.

The Bill Mott charge broke his maiden by 10 1/2 lengths against claiming rivals

on a  sloppy track at Saratoga, and has since run second twice before

breaking through his first-level allowance condition on October 21. That

front-running win netted the chestnut colt a 102 Speed rating and should have

set him up perfectly for his stakes bow in this spot. Alan Garcia will be taking

over riding duties on Birdrun, and the 5-1 morning-line shot could take this

field from gate-to-wire.

BAD ACTION (Brahms) has won or placed second in eight of his last nine races.

That coupled with his 8-1 morning-line price makes us believe the Gary Contessa

charge might

help boost the exotics. The dark bay gelding has spent a good portion of the

year racing on turf, but he switched over to Meadowlands' dirt to capture the

Pegasus S. (G3) by a half-length last out. Though his numbers aren't quite as

impressive as our top two, Bad Action has proven his ability against this

caliber and should come running late under David Cohen.

HAYNESFIELD (Speightstown) owns five wins from eight career starts, but most

of those came on Aqueduct's inner dirt earlier this season. The Steve

Asmussen-conditioned colt has tailed off quite a bit since his 6 1/4-length

victory in the Whirlaway S. on February 7, finishing a well-beaten eighth in the

Gotham S. (G3) next out before being put on the shelf. He returned on October 2

to just miss in the Sir Keys S. by a head, and visited the winner's circle when

capturing his last one, the Empire Classic S. at Belmont Park. Though the

chestnut seems to be on the improve, we'll let him beat us for the win and just

tab in the bottom of the gimmicks. Ramon Dominguez has the call.

PRECURSOR (A.P. Indy) posted a gate-to-wire score in the Proud Truth S. last

out, repulsing a late bid from Bad Action. However, that win, along with his two

other career victories, came on sloppy, sealed tracks. With sunny conditions

forecast for Saturday, a fast surface seems probable, and we don't think

Precursor will be able to duplicate his winning effort. REDDING COLLIERY

(Mineshaft) seems to prefer less ground than what this race offers. We can't

recommend.