Dixie

TRACK BANDIT PREVIEWS

Shadwell Stable's SHAKIS (Ire) (Machiavellian) looks like a total class

standout in the $250,000 Dixie S. (G2) over the Pimlico sod on Saturday, and it

would seem unwise to look elsewhere in this tussle. The Kiaran McLaughlin charge

has displayed class since arriving in the United States last spring, taking the Bernard

Baruch H. (G2) and finishing third in both Manhattan H. (G1) and Shadwell Turf

Mile S. (G1). In his yearly debut, the eight-year-old finished sixth while

widest of all in the Maker's Mark Mile S. (G1) and should be primed for a big

effort in here. Alan Garcia retains the mount.

PICK SIX (Dynaformer) is the improving sort making his graded debut that

trainer Shug McGaughey often excels with, and we won't take the colt lightly in

here. The four-year-old has yet to win in 2008 but has improved immensely with

the addition of blinkers, earning his top three career BRIS Speed numbers in his

last trio of starts. The well-bred bay was scratched out of an allowance field

earlier in the week to race here, and that is a telling sign to us that the

Kentucky-bred is in good form. Garrett Gomez could light up the toteboard if the

top one falters.

SALINJA (Boundary) could make it a big day for his sire if he should earn his

first graded score in here for conditioner Graham Motion. The six-year-old

gelding defeated a talented runner in a deep allowance at Keeneland last out,

and there could be some moisture in the ground which could aid him in this one,

so we'll pick him to complete the trifecta. The bay has excellent tactical speed

and has posted Speed figures of 98 or higher in four straight, leading us

to believe that he'll get a piece under Gabriel Saez.

BUFFALO MAN (El Prado [Ire]) won the Appleton H. (G3) in his second career

turf try earlier in this campaign and could be the inside speed of the field.

Conditioned by Cam Gambolati, the bay four-year-old crumbled when facing top

competition at Fair Grounds two prior, but that course is quirky and the colt

deserves another chance in here. Edgar Prado, who guided the Canadian-bred to

his Appleton score, has the call. 

PAYS TO DREAM (High Yield) is a New York-bred with a good deal of ability,

but a seventh-place finish in his yearly debut, the Fort Marcy H. (G3), didn't

do much to excite us. The David Donk pupil has a nice future ahead of him but

looks in tough on this day. STAY CLOSE (GB) (Belong to Me) won the local prep for

this event, the Henry Clark S., last out for trainer Michael Zwiesler. The

gelded bay has compiled eight wins from 21 turf outings, including two of three

at this venue, and he's not far off from the best in here, but we can't back him

to win. 

DISTORTED REALITY (Distorted Humor) is often in the mix but has burned a ton

of money in the past, and we won't be wagering on this one in this field. The

Todd Pletcher trainee was a player in graded events for much of 2007 but often

settled for minor awards, and the colt will possibly be overbet in this

situation. John Velazquez will be on the chestnut.

RA DER DEAN (Rahy) has never been worse than second in five outings on this

lawn, and he was a good fourth versus solid company three back, but he would

still be a big surprise.  HEADSANDTALES (Tale of the Cat) looks outclassed.