Distaff Turf Mile

TRACK BANDIT PREVIEWS

Saturday's Distaff Turf Mile S. (G3), the first leg of the guaranteed $1 million Pick

4 on the Kentucky Derby (G1) program, is all about TICKER TAPE (GB) (Royal

Applause), the winner of the two best three-year-old turf races in the country last year -- the

American Invitational Oaks (G1) at Hollywood Park and the Queen Elizabeth II

Invitational Challenge Cup S.

(G1) at Keeneland. The James Cassidy-trained filly has not started since

finishing third to Intercontinental (GB) (Danehill) in the one-mile Matriarch S.

(G1) last November, but she owns a 6-2-3-1 mark at this distance and should

prove hard to deny. The only concern is the layoff.

The Todd Pletcher-trained WARNING ZONE (SAf) (Elliodor) stalked the early

pace from the outside before rolling to a one-length victory in the Marie G.

Krantz Memorial H. at Fair Grounds in her American debut. The dark bay mare is a

Group 2 winner in her native land and finished the last three-sixteenths in the

Krantz Memorial in 18 seconds flat, good for a BRIS Late Pace rating of 103 and

a BRIS Speed rating of 100. She should factor for a share.

SAND SPRINGS (Dynaformer) set fast fractions before holding sway in the Honey

Fox H. (G3) in her latest. The Bill Mott trainee likes this course (7-3-1-1) and

likes to set or press the early running. She has excellent back class and could

prove hard to catch at the top of the lane. A good one to use in the exotics.

BOASTING (Kris S.), trained by the ever-dangerous Bobby Frankel, has won

three of her five career starts on turf and exits a nice one-length score

against second-level allowance foes at Santa Anita. She makes her black-type

debut in this spot and appears to have the speed to compete. She retains Pat

Valenzuela in the saddle as well.

MISS TERRIBLE (Arg) (Numerous), a two-time champion in her native Argentina, will return to the turf after winning

the six-furlong Las Flores H. (G3) in her last start. The bay mare is a

seven-time Group 1 winner in her native land and has some upset possibilities

with continued improvement. Consider at a price. SHACONAGE (El Prado [Ire]) won

this event last year at 19-1 and exits a third-place effort to Sand Springs in

the Honey Fox. She gets the hot-riding Rafael Bejarano aboard so beware. MAMBO

SLEW (Kingmambo) adds first-time blinkers and Lasix after finishing a dull sixth

in her seasonal debut at Keeneland. The Patrick Biancone trainee has defeated

Ticker Tape in the past and could have a wild card up her sleeve with the

equipment and medication changes.

SHADOW CAST (Smart Strike) won the Louisville Breeders' Cup H. (G2) on Friday

and will certainly be scratched.