Elkhorn

TRACK BANDIT PREVIEWS

Keeneland will conclude its 15-day meet with an excellent closing-day

feature, Friday's $200,000 Elkhorn S. (G3), and it's no surprise to see a full

field loaded with attractive betting options. With rain falling in the

Lexington, Kentucky, area on Thursday and more expected Friday, there's the

possibility of an off turf in the 1 1/2-mile affair.

BEE CHARMER (Ire) (Anabaa) recorded a commendable score when making his U.S.

debut over a yielding course at Keeneland in October, defeating a couple of

Elkhorn rivals in a 12-furlong allowance. He made his next start at Gulfstream

this year, notching a one-length score over firm ground in an allowance/optional

claiming event. Favored in the January 28 Mac Diarmida H. (G2) last out, the bay

never fired, fading to 12th, and we're throwing that uncharacteristic effort

out. The French stakes runner has worked well since then for Michael Matz,

posting three moves at Keeneland since April 6, and Edgar Prado retains the

mount aboard the stalker. Bee Charmer should relish the marathon distance and

the return to the turf at Keeneland, and we'll look for him to earn his first

stakes win.

ASCERTAIN (Ire) (Intikhab) enters on the upswing for Niall O'Callaghan,

winning a nine-furlong Keeneland allowance by two lengths on April 7, and he

handled Friday's distance when finishing a close third in the Stars and Stripes

Breeders' Cup Turf H. (G3) last summer. The six-year-old gelding should settle into a

perfect spot behind the other speed in the field, and Ascertain can finish,

registering a 114 BRIS Late Pace rating last time. We'll tab him to complete the

exacta.

Belmont S. (G1) winner JAZIL (Seeking the Gold) will be making his turf debut

for Kiaran McLaughlin, and his breeding suggests that the surface change will be

no problem. Jazil doesn't own much of a winning attitude, recording three

seconds and a fourth in four of his last five starts, and he has to overcome the

far outside post, but the classic winner certainly appears capable of a top-three placing

with his best effort..

RAMAZUTTI (Honor Grades) loves longer distances and captured the 1 3/8-mile

Mac Diarmida earlier this year. Trained by the ever-dangerous Todd Pletcher, the

five-year-old gelding will likely be on or very close to the early lead with

jockey John Velazquez, and Ramazutti figures to get first jump on the closers.

We can't count him out from consideration for it all.

DRILLING FOR OIL (Giant's Causeway) loves a route of ground and should

appreciate the stretch-out following a solid third in a 1 1/8-mile allowance at Keeneland. Trained by Kenny McPeek, the four-year-old colt has some class

concerns in this spot, but he offers some appeal for the exotics at long odds

given his late kick. CLOUDY'S KNIGHT (Lord Avie) came to hand for trainer James

McMullen at Fair Grounds, winning a Grade 3 two starts back and finishing second

in the Mervin H. Muniz Jr. Memorial H. (G2) most recently, and he offered good

value in both starts. However, he'll be one of the favorites here with Julien

Leparoux, and we have our doubts whether he'll carry his form forward in

Kentucky. We won't be surprised to see another top-class showing, but Cloudy's

Knight has never been the most consistent performer and looks like an overlay in

this spot.

ALWAYS FIRST (GB) (Barathea [Ire]) will make his first start since finishing

a non-threatening third in the Sycamore Breeders' Cup S. (G3) in October. The

Grade 2 winner has the back class to challenge, but he's raced sparingly since

2005. We'll give him a race off the layoff. PELLEGRINO (Brz) (Nugget Point

[Ire]) is the defending Elkhorn champion, but we wonder whether he's sharp

enough presently to repeat.

SPIDER POWER (Ire) (Royal Applause [GB]) displayed some promise last summer

for McLaughlin, but his last three efforts have been too dismal for us to

recommend his chances. LAST ANSWER (Langfuhr) owns some promising Speed ratings,

but he's raced mostly at Woodbine, recording unplaced finishes in his only two

attempts outside of Toronto. It's difficult to have much confidence in this

spot.

HARD DECK (Boundary) exits a solid second in a Gulfstream allowance at this

distance, but the maiden winner is difficult to recommend here. A former maiden

claimer, he'll need to improve significantly to challenge in his stakes debut.

TRANSDUCTION GOLD (Formal Gold) ran a big race on the lead in the Mervin Muniz,

but we can't envision him sustaining his speed here.

FRI GUY (Theatrical [Ire])

will need to draw in from the also-eligibles list. If he does get in, we expect

him to add to the pace before fading.